The leadership of the Senate and that of the Nigerian labour Congress as well as other unions are currently to look at the grievances of the labour.
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero said the Senate called for the meeting to address the grievances expressed by the labour over some government policies especially the removal of fuel subsidy.
The meeting is holding in Abuja as at press time of 5:10 pm
Chiefly at the center of discussion is the demand by the labour to the Federal government to rescind its decision on the removal of fuel subsidy, as well as increase in the salary of workers to cushion the effect of hardships being faced by Nigerians as a result the increase in fuel prices undertaken twice by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
It would be recalled that last week both groups met in which the Senate leadership asked for a grace of one week to seek solution to the Labours’ demands to avert the nationwide protest which was held on Wednesday August 2.
S Suleiman Kawu Sumaila (NNPP, Kano), in a motion drew the attention of the Senate to the ultimatum issued by the NLC, asking the federal government to reverse the “anti-masses” policies or face nationwide strike.
The NLC had scheduled Wednesday for a nationwide strike to protest what it called the “anti-masses” policies of the federal government.
Kawu expressed worry that if the strike was allowed to hold, it would cripple the economy as commercial transporters would withdraw services and commuters would be stranded.
Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa) said the fuel subsidy regime has proven too difficult to be sustained.
“The previous governments had tried without success. But the combination of subsidy withdrawal and other policies of this administration is causing harrowing suffering for Nigerians,” he said.
He urged the leadership of the Senate to interface with the President on a robust package of palliatives for Nigerians, saying the N500 billion earmarked for palliatives was not enough.
Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan (APC, Ogun) urged the organised labour to give the federal government more time to address the issue, saying the policies were to stop the bleeding of the economy.
