Tinubu Moves to Avert NLC Strike, Picks Date to Announce Palliative Package for Nigerian Workers

In an attempt to avoid a total shutdown of economic activities, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will announce a palliative package for Nigerian workers during his Independence Day speech on October 1.

Olajide Oshundun, who is the spokesperson of the Ministry of Labour had disclosed this amid the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Congress (TUC) plan to embark on an indefinite strike with effect from Tuesday, October 3.

Recall that the two unions on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, ordered their members to get set to shun works to protest the alleged failure of the FG to provide post-subsidy palliatives for workers.

However, Oshundun reacting to the development said the ministry has scheduled a last-minute meeting with labour leaders that will centre on the pronouncements to be made by President Tinubu during his October 1 Independence Day broadcast.

According to him, Tinubu is expected to unveil the palliative package for workers in the customary presidential speech to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence Day.

Oshundun noted that the two major demands from the unions had been presented to the president.

He further said that the minister of mabour, Simon Lalong, had met one of the NLC’s demands which was the release of the factional national president of the National Association of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Tajudeen Baruwa, from police custody.

“We will avert the strike. We got the news of their intention to go on strike. They need to be rest assured that there will be a pronouncement in the October 1 speech of Mr President for Nigerian workers,” Oshundun said.

‘’The ministry is working assiduously to meet with the second aspect of the demand which focuses on the wage award. We have already secured the release of the NURTW factional chairman.

“So we hope to invite them on Tuesday following the pronouncement of the president to see reasons for them to call off the strike,” he added.