Subsidy removal: ILC, FG delay meeting of 16-man palliatives committee
The International labour conference which held from 30th May – 10th June in Geneva has been one major reason why the 16-man palliatives committee comprising members of the organised labour and the federal government has not met since its inauguration 2nd June 2016 to implement palliatives to cushion the effect of the increase in the pump price of petrol.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Times, the Secretary General of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson said members of the technical committee, after inauguration, took part in the just concluded Geneva conference which involves government, employers and labour.
He further said that the committee is however expected to continue the crucial business meeting, but expectations from labour representatives over commencement of the meeting this week has been cut short as the ministry of labour and employment is yet to give a definite directive on the date of commencement of the meeting, but assured Nigerians that the announcement will be made soonest.
In confirmation on the delay, comrade Augustine Etafo, a representative of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, said the chairman of the committee, Dr. Chris Ngige had been on an official leave, but hopes a directive on the meeting will be issued in few weeks time.
Daily Times recalled that the FG, Labour 16-man Technical Committee has Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige as Chairman.
Aside government representatives, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) are also represented.
Other representatives of the government on the committee include Minister of State, Petroleum Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of Budget and National Planning Udo Udoma, Minister of Finance Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Solid Minerals Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Chairman of National Salaries and Wages Commission, Chief R.O Egbule and the representative of the Head of Service of the Federation.
The team from the NLC will be led by Deputy President of the Congress, Comrade Peters Adeyemi and will include Comrade Amaechi Asugwuni, Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel, Comrade Igwe Achese and Comrade Abdullahi Sale.
The TUC is represented by Comrade Augustine Etafo, Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal and Comrade Abdullahi Sale.
Prof. Adamu Usman from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation serves as secretary to the committee.
The committee is expected to work our modalities for the implementation of the N500 billion social intervention contained in the 2016 budget and submit its report within two weeks from the date of inauguration
