Following agreements reached by organised labour and the Federal Government on interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal, the Lagos State Council of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to immediately adopt and domesticate the resolution.

The union, in a statement, signed by its Chairman, Gbenga Ekundayo, and Secretary, Aladetan Abiodun, said the leadership of the union has activated all necessary machinery to domesticate the resolutions and embark on actionable measures to press home their demands accordingly.

The workers, assured members that the union would not shirk its responsibilities or abdicate its duties until final implementation. Before now, the council had issued a notice of strike based on the directive of the national body, with an alleged direct consequence of the spiraling waves of hardships, sufferings, agonies and depression unleashed by the removal of fuel subsidy without necessary adjustment in the workers’ wages and salaries.

However, based on the agreements reached between labour and government, it urged that the governor should also implement for workers in the state.
Among the truces reached at the meeting include the N35,000 wage award for all categories of workers in government employment.

The Federal Government promised to fast-track the provision of compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of the PMS subsidy.

It said waiver of Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel would be implemented for the next six months to cushion production and transportation costs.The Federal Government commits to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises, among others.

A sub-committee was to be constituted to work out the details of the implementation of all items for consideration regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

The lingering matter of the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State needed to be addressed urgently and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who participated virtually, pledged to resolve the matter.