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FG’s Tactics to Suspend Labour Strike on Subsidy Removal Revealed

New details have emerged regarding the Federal Government’s tactics to halt the planned strike by Organised Labour against the removal of subsidy on petrol. The government reportedly employed blackmail and other mechanisms to ambush Labour and force them to suspend the strike.

Organised Labour leaders had initially planned a nationwide strike to protest the 200% hike in petrol prices and demand a return to the pre-May 29, 2023 pump price of N185 per litre. However, the strike was suspended following negotiations with the government.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had previously boycotted a meeting with the government, insisting on a reversal to the old pump price as a condition for further discussions. On the other hand, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) attended the meeting and presented demands, including a minimum wage of N200,000.

In a surprising turn of events, the NLC later returned to the negotiation table. During the meeting, TUC leaders also joined the discussions after initially adjourning their meeting with the government to the following day. Subsequently, an agreement was reached, leading to the suspension of the planned strike.

A labour leader, speaking anonymously to Vanguard, revealed that the government had utilized the National Industrial Court (NIC) and other means to ambush Labour and undermine the strike. Influential individuals and government officials allegedly intervened, urging Labour to return to negotiations.

The tactics employed by the Federal Government played a significant role in forcing Labour to reach a compromise and suspend the nationwide strike.