TUC President To FG: “You Are Wästeful, Cut Wästage And Improve Lives Of Workers”

By Akinwale Kasali

As negotiations between the Organized Labour and the Federal Government continues, Festus Osifo, President, Trade Union Congress, TUC, has labeled the President Bola Tinubu Government wasteful.

Osifo said that it is pertinent for the FG to cut its wastage for the betterment of the lives of workers.

Speaking on Arise Television, Osifo said that if resources are channeled to where it is necessary, like bettering the lives of workers, there won’t be rancour or issues that would lead to the halting of the nation’s economy as  happened in the just-paused two-day nationwide-strike.

He spoke on the principles of negotiation, saying that “negotiation is not emotion.”

Noting that the Government brought up the issue of affordability, Osifo said the Union has urged the Government to cut waste and improve workers’ lives.

The TUC boss said, during a recent meeting, the union communicated its readiness to wait until midnight for an improved offer, but left knowing no progress would be made.

He said, “The marching orders would have been given before now because we gave a lot of signals to trigger the authorities to act.”

Speaking on the Union’s approach to the strike, he said, “There could be different reasons why Nigerians want to embark on strike but for us in the labour congress it is a weighty decision before we go on strike.”

He further mentioned that during the strike, efforts were made to minimise disruption by allowing students to take exams and ensuring some hospitals remained open.

He, however, criticised the Government’s proposal of a N60,000 minimum wage as final, pushing for a higher amount and arguing that workers cannot wait for two months for a new minimum wage while suffering.

He stated, “The workers are suffering, so it deserves the urgency of the moment.”

He also added that the industrial action was a success as three key outcomes were achieved; Government’s  acknowledgment that they could go beyond N60,000, a commitment to conclude negotiations within a week, and increased attention from the President who gave marching orders to address the issue.

Osifo expressed hope that a resolution respecting the principle of negotiation would be reached within a week.

He demanded for retrofitting public transport to CNG to reduce transportation costs by up to 70%, which would benefit various sectors in Nigeria.

The TUC boss said the union would engage the Government on electricity tariffs, an issue that has not been addressed since their ultimatum on May 1st.

He concluded by emphasising the need for proactive involvement in addressing national issues to prevent industrial actions, stating: “Strike in any part of the world always brings economic losses.”