The organised labour has suspended the indefinite nationwide strike and mass protests after reaching a consensus with the Federal Government early this morning at a meeting between the two parties, THE WITNESS reports.
The strike which would have commenced today, Monday, September 28, is in protest against the hike in pump price of fuel and electricity tariff.
The government in a meeting which dragged until 2:53 a.m this morning and led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha had agreed to suspend the electricity tariff for two weeks while a committee comprising labour and government representatives will advise further.
The Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo(SAN) confirmed the development in a tweet on his verified Twitter handle (@fkeyamo):
“FG & LABOUR reach agreement at 2:53am. Deregulation to stay as Govt rolls out palliatives for labour (details in 2 weeks); Electricity tariffs suspended by Govt for 2 weeks with a joint Committee headed by @fkeyamo to examine the justification for the new policy. Strike suspended”.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, government agreed to some palliatives for workers to ameliorate the effect of the increase in pump price of petrol and electricity tariff hike.
Addressing the media after the meeting, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige said the palliatives will be in the areas of transport, power, housing, agriculture and humanitarian support.
Ngige who read from the communique said the parties agreed to set up a Technical Committee comprising Ministries, Departments, Agencies, NLC and TUC, which will work for a duration of two weeks effective Monday 28th September 2020.
The Minister said the committee will examine the justification for the new policy on cost – reflective Electricity Tariff adjustments; to look at the different Electricity Distribution Company (DISCOs) and their different electricity tariff vis-à-vis NERC order and mandate and examine and advise government on the issues that have hindered the deployment of the six million meters.
”Withing the two weeks the DICOS shall suspend the increase in electricity tariff,” he said.