Strike: FG set for fresh meeting with labour leaders at the Aso Rock

All is now set for the make or mar meeting between the Federal government and Labour Leaders over the strike action proposed by the organised Labour.

As of the time of this report, the Federal government team led by Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the President, were already seated, awaiting the arrival of the leaders who had earlier met with their various organs on Monday to decide their next line of action following the meeting between the government and Labour Leaders on Sunday night.

Read also: Strike uncertain as FG, NLC, TUC reach compromise

President Bola Tinubu had as part of move to avert the strike approved N35,000 provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months.

Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, in a statement on Sunday, said the decision followed further consultations with Federal Government delegation that met with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) earlier on Sunday.

Read also: NUPENG, NUEE, NANNM, NASU to join NLC, TUC on indefinite strike

It will be recalled that at the meeting between both parties, the Federal Government pledged its commitment to fast-track the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy.

The Federal Government had also committed to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises as well as waivers on VAT on diesel for the next 6 months.

But speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Joe Ajaero who led the Labour team, said they had no powers to call off the strike

Read also: Strike: FG, labour leaders begin talk in Aso Rock

“I don’t have much to say, we have been meeting and we’ve looked at almost all the issues, all the promissory notes from the government and we’ll look at how to translate them to reality and to be workable.

“ We are going to take those promises to our organs, of course you know these people here cannot just wake up and review and call off the strike action.
“So like he said, we’re hopeful that our organs will have a look at them and give us a fresh mandate on what next to do. So it’s a simple one.

Read also: Nigeria braces for fuel scarcity as NUPENG joins nationwide strike

Tommy Okon, Acting TUC President, in his remarks said he will also report back to the TUC organs for their final decision

“ Let me on behalf of the TUC also point out the fact that we’ve had series of conversations surrounding the issue raised and we do hope that by tomorrow we are going to get across to our organs so that we can also look at it and cross-fertilize ideas and see the way forward. I’m sure we’re coming back again tomorrow for that”.

More later…