The President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Comrade Festus Osifo, Comrade Bosun Olabiyi-Agoro, has called for reconciliation and stronger cooperation between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over their lingering face-off.
The rift stems from the Federal Government’s N70,000 transport allowance and who has the right to negotiate for workers. The NLC accepted the allowance after negotiating alone, while the TUC rejected it, demanding a permanent salary increase and insisting the NLC cannot negotiate on behalf of its members.
Speaking at a summit organised by the Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN) in Lagos, Olabiyi-Agoro urged both labour centres to mend fences and build a more robust working relationship.
He said their differences should not undermine the collective interest of Nigerian workers.
He expressed optimism that the labour centres would eventually resolve their disagreements and become a formidable force against policies inimical to workers’ welfare and a stronger voice for Nigerian workers.
He stressed the need for both centres to harmonise their positions before engaging government, noting that disagreements over issues such as the N70,000 transport allowance should not automatically be interpreted as opposition to workers’ welfare.
Earlier, while representing TUC President Festus Osifo, Olabiyi-Agoro urged Nigerian workers to exercise greater political responsibility ahead of another electioneering period.
He cautioned workers against selling their votes and then expecting labour leaders to fight governments they helped elect, adding that they must protect their interests by making informed choices.
He urged workers to place their collective interest above partisan considerations and not compromise their votes only to turn to organised labour to challenge governments whose emergence they facilitated.
