By Ekaette Ibuot
The Nigeria Labor Congress has accused the Federal Government of not being sincere and honest in finding a lasting solution to the lingering issue of petroleum price hike and electricity tariffs.
In a speech jointly signed by the General secretary NLC Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja and his TUC counterpart Comrade Musa Lawal read to journalists at a world press conference.
They informed journalists that there is a breakdown in dialogue between government and organized labor.
They said labour staged a walk out yesterday due to Federal government’s recalcitrant attitude towards the issue.
He further said that the recent hike in petroleum product by government while negotiation is ongoing, is not only a violation of fundamental terms of its agreement with labour, but also in bad fait calculated to frustrate the process of an amicable resolution.
“it is clear that government is not prepared for a sincere and honest dialogue on finding a lasting solution to the twin issues of petroleum price increase and electricity tariffs. And this is in spite of the patriotic understanding of labour which has drawn the flak of the public which think we are not doing enough to protect their interests on the issues of petroleum products and electricity tariffs”.
“You may recall that following our notice to government to protest the increase in the pump price of petroleum products and electricity tariffs, government reached out to labour not to proceed on its nation-wide protest, that was slated for 28th September 2020”.
“Terms and conditions for putting the protest on hold were clearly spelt out in the Memorandum of Understanding. The conditions include fixing the existing refineries, entrusting them to efficient managements, creating an enabling environment for new refineries, and doing all positive things that would ensure enhanced and sustainable local refining capacity”.
“Nothing in the agreement gives government license to embark upon pain-inducing and life-crippling increase in pump price of products at this difficult time, indeed, the letter and spirit of the terms and conditions of the agreement presuppose that contemplation of an increase or an increase would constitute a breach of the dialogue process”.
“Whilst the Committee was still working the government had not taken any step to revitalise the local refineries and has flagrantly refused to discuss this with the unions in the oil and gas sector as agreed. At our meeting yesterday, we had prioritised as urgent this matter before delving into the issue of palliatives. However, the Honourable Minister of Labour, Dr Chris did not think it was important. All efforts to make him see reason failed. Given the tense situation and government’s manifest insensitivity, labour has no option other than a walk out.”
