Tag: TUC

NLC adamant as NEC takes position on nationwide indefinite strike

The National Economic Council (NEC) has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) not to abandon dialogue in their quest for better welfare for its members.

The Council also appealed to the unions to suspend its planned nationwide indefinite strike schedule to start on Oct. 3.

Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau stated this while briefing State House Correspondents at the end of the NEC meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that the nation was at a very critical moment in its history, adding that some states took over such labour crisis when they assumed office in May.

According to him, some of such states just resolved the crisis and will be unfair for the labour to return to another industrial action.

The Plateau governor said that the proposed industrial action would have immense effect on the economy of both the states and the Federal government.

He said that the NEC expressed genuine concern about the situation in the country and appealed for calm and patience among Nigerians.

“The National Economic Council (NEC) deliberated on the planned indefinite strike by the National leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to proceed on an indefinite strike on Oct. 3, 2023.

“The council noted further the implications of the planned strike on the economy and the nation and thus urge members to continue to engage with the leadership of their respective states.

“It appeals to them to suspend the action and to continue on the path of dialogue with the Federal Government. This is the appeal of the council.”

He said that the council appreciated the concerns raised by the NLC to have those issues address, adding that NEC also appealed for time to address the concerns of labour.

“We also believe that President Bola Tinubu will be addressing the nation on Oct. 1, and some of the concerns of labour will be appropriately addressed in the president’s speech.

“It is therefore important to note that it’s a federation issue, so whatever happens the labour is represented in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“And NEC is appealing that discussion should continue at the state levels because there will be peculiarities as to the issues to be addressed concerning the demands of labour and therefore dialogue is the way to go.”

No agreement with FG to suspend strike – NLC

Earlier, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said it has no agreement with the Federal Government to call off the planned indefinite strike for Oct. 3.

Mr Benson Upah, Head of Information and Public Affairs in NLC said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

It would be recalled that the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had at the end of the joint National Executive Council meeting declared an indefinite strike beginning from Tuesday to press home their demands.

Upah was reacting to a statement allegedly issued by Mr Olajide Oshundun, Director, Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Upah said there were some inconsistencies in the statement which include the proposed strike and the illegal occupation of the secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

“Accordingly, we find it necessary to make clarifications. Firstly, we do not have any agreement with the government to suspend the planned strike action.

“Neither do we have any date for a meeting with the government that may lead to the suspension of the proposed strike.

“While we do not intend to demean or minimise the office of the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, this matter is beyond the Ministry.

“This should have been obvious to them during our most recent meeting,” he added.

He, therefore, commended the role played by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Simon Lalong in securing the release of the executives of the NURTW from unlawful, illegal police detention.

Upah added: ”We take exception to the ministry describing these executives as factional leaders.

“They were lawfully elected into office. We still find it necessary to advise the police and those elements behind their travails to desist from this despicable and shameful conduct.

“They are advised to retrace their steps. If democracy is to be of meaning to us, then we should resist the urge or temptation for impunity. Enough is enough.”

September 28, 2023
BREAKING: NLC, TUC declare total, indefinite strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Tuesday, agreed to withdraw their services nationwide from Tuesday, October 3, in what has been described as indefinite, total strike.

The two labour centres directed their affiliates to mobilise for protests from October 3.

The Organised Labour took the decision after an NLC, TUC joint National Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, September 26, in Abuja.

Comrade Joe Ajaero, NLC President, said the government has “substantially failed to meet its demands after the removal of fuel subsidy.”

Recall that on September 5th and 6th, the NLC embarked on a two-day warning strike which led to the partial crippling of economic activities in some states.

It gave the government a 21-day ultimatum to meet its demands.

But the TUC was not part of the warning strike.

On Tuesday, Ajaero said the grace period given by the two labour centres had expired.

He urged Nigerians to stock their homes ahead of the planned nationwide strike.

The organised labour is demanding wage awards for public workers and a new minimum wage.

The other demands made by the organized labour to cushion the effects of the May 29 subsidy removal are tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers, provision of Compressed Natural Gas buses, the release of modalities for the N70 billion for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the Federal Government.

It also wants a stop to the increase in public school fees, the release of the eight months withheld salaries of university teachers and workers as well as the increase in Value Added Tax (VAT).

Leaders of the NLC), and TUC agreed to hold a joint press conference at 3 p.m. today to announce a nationwide indefinite strike after what seemed to be friction between the two labour centres.

On Tuesday, September 5, and Wednesday 6, 2023, NLC without the TUC went on a two-day warning strike to urge the government to address the mass painful suffering of Nigerians, particularly workers.

Sources told TheNiche that leaders of the two labour unions have settled their disputes, which caused only the NLC to go on a two-day warning strike without the cooperation of the TUC.

Following their separate organs’ meetings, the two centres agreed to hold the joint press conference at 3 p.m. to announce the indefinite nationwide strike in response to the Federal Government’s failure to address the sufferings in the country and other socioeconomic hardships caused by the removal of subsidies on Premium Motor, PMS, commonly known as petrol.

September 26, 2023
LASPAGA calls TUC proposed Monday protest “needless”

The Lagos State Parks and Garages Administrators (LASPAGA) has advised the Trade Union Congress (TUC) against its protest scheduled for Monday.

LASPAGA Secretary, Alhaji Abdulrahman Amusan, in a statement on Saturday in Lagos, called for the TUC to get its facts together before embarking on a “needless protest”.

TUC on Friday had threatened to shut down economic activities in Lagos State on Monday, the union said that the planned protest was due to the state government’s ban on the activities of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).

The union called out the state government was interfering in the activities of RTEAN.

Amusan advised TUC not to be dragged into the ‘stormy waters of transport union’ by former RTEAN Chairman, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, now national treasurer of TUC.

He explained that the 18th of April judgment by the National Industrial Court (NIC) did not affect the creation of LASPAGA, adding that the case was still pending at the Court of Appeal after the union filed an appeal.

“In times past, the TUC is known to be a pro-masses organisation, as its fundamental objective is to protect workers from tyranny and exploitation.

“We are surprised that some people have hijacked the union for selfish and personal gains, thereby putting the integrity of the union on the line.

“We need to state that the suspension of RTEAN was orchestrated by its members because of Mohammed’s leadership style which didn’t go down well with its members.

“The crisis at Iyana Iba then prompted the Lagos State Government to intervene to foster peace, law and order.
“We advise that the Festus Osifo-led TUC to thoroughly review its action to save the remaining respect people still have for the union and use its energy to put its own house in order,” Amusan said.

September 23, 2023
Fuel subsidy removal: We are ready for indefinite strike action, total shutdown – FWF

Federal Workers Forum (FWF) have said they are ready to proceed on indefinite strike and total shutdown of the nation’s economy over the removal of fuel subsidy.

The Forum disclosed this through a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Former Oyo State TUC Chairman, Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

Emelieze lamented that since the removal of the fuel subsidy nothing has been done to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian workers.

He said,”It is disheartening to note that despite the promises by the federal government to see to the plights of workers as a result of the fuel subsidy removal, nothing has been done to assist the Nigerian workers adjust to the high cost of living crisis momentarily faced.

“It is also surprising to note that despite the agreement between the federal government and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) to adjust workers wage within two weeks and the two weeks have expired but nothing forthcoming.

“It is equally unbelievable to note that after the industrial actions of a national protest, a two day national warning strike and the threats of an indefinite national strike action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); the federal government of Nigeria is not showing any sign that she is ready to listen to the cries of the working class.

“The federal government workers are among the most badly hit groups in the society since the removal of fuel subsidy. It has been the stories of pains and mass sufferings among the workers. Salaries has remained static while everyother social economic indices have adjusted to the increasing high cost of living but federal government workers salaries have remained the same.

“Workers have been patient enough and our livelihood and families have been adversely affected . Most workers have gone borrowing from very exploitative microfinance banks with killing interest rates.

“Federal government workers are the engine room of governance, we donot expect to be treated this way. Our employer, the federal government of Nigeria is not being fair on us, we should not be treated like slaves in our country. Workers should be made to count. If all we hear is promises upon promises, four months into the fuel subsidy removal then we might have to wait forever except we cry out louder enough inorder to be heard.

“To this end, we are writing the NLC/TUC that federal government workers nationwide are ready for the indefinite strike action and that the NLC should not hesitate to call for the strike action should government fails to do the needful as our earlier ultimatum expires.”

The FWF National Coordinator added,”We had taken part in the last two days warning strike and we shall do it again if government continues to fail us. We thank all federal government workers across the federation for the compliance with the last strike action and we call for preparations for the next one.

“We call on the TUC to rethink her strategy and do the workers bidding. All efforts must be made to ensure synergy among our labour centers. The obvious divergent views over methodology by the NLC and the TUC is not in the interest of the toiling workers. None of the the labour centers should be allowed to be used as a clog in the wheel of progress.

“The general consensus among workers is that the TUC has been compromised. It is now left to the TUC to prove otherwise as we all prepare for the indefinite strike action.”

He also called on the NLC/TUC to make the strike action the mother of all strikes, warning that the Nigerian workers and indeed Nigerians must not be betrayed by labour.

“Our people have suffered enough.

“What is happening to the federal government workers now is oppression and injustice. The federal government is owing her workers lots of arrears of salaries and allowances in tens of billions of naira over the years, despite repeated plea , nothing has been paid. We have been terrorised enough, our government should not show us wickedness.

“Our existence has been hellish and everything is nauseating. The mental health of workers are badly affected. Government must act now. Four months into the fuel subsidy removal , workers have been stretched to the limits, we have been pushed to the wall, we cannot cope again.

“Our demand is simply, a fair wage.Our government must stop acting as if they dont have conscience. Government should stop playing games with the lives of the people. The Nigerian worker are no slaves,we are not beggers, we are public sector workers,we are citizens and we deserve to be treated fairly as a matter of rights.

“Enough of the hide and seek game over the welfare of the federal workers. The present wage is shamefully too poor and it is not taking us home , this should be an embarrassment to the federal government of Nigeria. The FG should weigh the implications of workers poor wage for overall effectiveness of productivity and the society at large.

“Once again, federal government workers are ready for the indefinite strike action and we are looking onto the NLC/TUC to rescue the Nigerian people from this untold hardship. However, if the NLC tarry further, the Federal Workers Forum will not hesitate to call all our members nationwide to perpetual protest.

“The vices you tolerate today will consume you tomorrow,” he stressed.

September 20, 2023
Partial compliance marks two-day strike amidst failed negotiations

A faction of the Labour Union initiated a two-day nationwide strike after unsuccessful talks with the Federal Government.

A last-minute reconciliation meeting on Monday between the government and labour was attended by the Trade Union Congress (TUC), while the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) stayed away.

The meeting resulted in a two-week timeline for addressing wage awards, tax exemptions, and allowances for public sector workers, aimed at easing the burden caused by the fuel subsidy removal.

“We agreed that there should be no strike within the two-week period while we are doing our deliberations and working towards realizing some of these objectives,” the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong said.

The President of TUC, Comrade Festus Osifo, expressed the need for ongoing discussions to resolve outstanding issues, saying: “As of today, the need to embark on a nationwide strike hasn’t arisen hence the leadership of congress should intensify the conversation with government so that all grey areas identified could be ironed out within the time frame given.”

At the federal secretariat in Abuja and Lagos, power shortages disrupted office operations in support of the strike. Compliance teams later enforced the strike by closing offices and sealing gates, leading to postponed meetings and reduced activity in the area, according to sources.

September 5, 2023
Protest: Updates from across states as organised labour occupy Nigeria on day one

… protest relatively peaceful so far

Information reaching TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) clearly indicates the occupy Nigeria protest by organized labour cuts across nooks and crannies of the federation over dislocated economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s led administration.

The nationwide strike has been relatively peaceful as no case of police molestation and assault has been recorded across the country.

Abuja: Protesters stormed the national assembly to drive home their demands on immediate removal of policies that that strangulated the poor.

As at the time of filing this report from the FCT, the protesters had an open discussion with some leaders of the Senate after Senate President, Godswill Akpabio stopped plenary to hold an executive session immediately the protesters brought down the first gate of NASS complex.

The heavily manned major outgate by security could not stop the rampaging protesters.

Lagos: Apparently scared of a breakdown of law and order, security operatives took over the state’s house of assembly to wade off protesters.

Nasarawa: Protesters stormed the state Civil Service secretariat and presented a protest letter to the Head of Service peacefully.

Plateau: Fix refineries, stop school fees increase now, organised labour tells FG

The organised labour in Plateau State on Wednesday joined compatriots across the country in the protest against fuel subsidy removal, with a call on The Federal Government to fix Nigeria’s refineries.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), affiliates also called on government to halt the arbitrary increase of school fees across the country’s higher institutions, as well as the unexplained taxes and utilities tariffs.

The NLC Chairman in Plateau, Mr Eugene Manji, while addressing the workers, said that subsidy removal had exposed Nigerians to untold hardship.

Manji said that some Nigerians could barely feed their families because of the harsh economic situation.

“I wonder how many parents will be able to pay their children’s school fees in September?

“The increase of fuel from N195 to N617 has affected every sector of the economy.

“We are not antagonising government, but we are suffocating under the current economic challenges.

“Before you remove subsidy, fix our refineries and stop importing refined petroleum products, and ensure that every transaction concerning petroleum is done in our local currency (Naira and Kobo),” he stated.

The chairman further appealed to the government to pay attention to the plight of the masses, and rescind it decisions.

Mr Kenneth Shamah, Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Plateau chapter, said that it was the first time organised labour made a chatter of demands and also suggested practical solutions.

Shamah said that the peaceful protest was not only about workers, but for everyone suffering in Nigeria.

According to him, many people can no longer feed their families as many businesses have crumbled.

More updates to come soon …

August 2, 2023
BREAKING: TUC formally joins NLC to embark on nationwide strike

…asks affiliates in 36 states of the federation to hook up

…says political class apathetic to sufferings of Nigerians

The Trade Union Congress, TUC has formally announced to join the nationwide industrial action today as it beckons on all its affiliates in the 36 states of the federation and Abuja to hook up.

TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this was contained in a message by TUC president, Festus Osifo addressed to comrades and Nigerians declaring total support for the nationwide rallies.

Read full message below:

“Recall that on Monday 24th of July 2023, the leadership of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) addressed a world press conference on the state of the nation.

“During the session, attention of government was drawn to the following:

“Worsening economic situation in the country that was induced by the removal of fuel subsidy.

” Rejection of the proposed introduction of VAT on AGO

” Rejection of the Introduction of tuition fees in universities

” Rejection of the increment of tuition fees in unity schools.

“Issues generated as a result of total floating of the Naira without addressing how the supply of FX could be improved.

“Rejection of the planned privatization of Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centers.

” Rejection of any plan to increase electricity tariff.

“The need to urgently address the Increasing cost of governance at all levels.

” Rejection of the plan by NASS to spend 70 + 40 billions Naira on profligacy while the masses slide into abject poverty.

” Rejection of the Proscription of RTEAN by Lagos state government amongst others.

“During the press briefing, government was charged to urgently address the increasing hardship in the country brought about by the fuel subsidy removal within two weeks.

“After attending several negotiation meetings with government and also listening to the President’s address on the 31st of July 2023, the NEC in session appraised the situation holistically and arrived at the following position:

* The palliatives proposed by government is grossly inadequate when compared to the enormous challenges faced by the masses.

* Government has not demonstrated any commitment to the reduction of cost of governance.

*The political class is apathetic about making sacrifices, even as the masses continuously tighten their belt.

“Based on the above, the NEC in session resolved that all members of TUC should embark on a nationwide protest on Wednesday 2nd of August, 2023.

*All state and FCT council chairpersons should coordinate the peaceful protest in their respective domain and report accordingly.

August 2, 2023
Subsidy removal: TUC gives FG 14 days to conclude negotiations

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has given federal government fourteen days to reach agreement on decisions that would cushion the pain of Nigerians due to the removal fuel subsidy or face workers’ protest.

Specifically, the union said if after August 19, nothing tangible was concluded, it would be compelled to take further action to protect workers and the masses of the country from being subjected to unending hardship.

Apart from embarking on quantifiable cut in cost of governance, the Congress said both federal government and the states should come up with harmonised palliatives that is verifiable and will be implemented with agreed time frame.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, yesterday, TUC President, Mr. Festus Osifoh, said that the union was not happy that the negotiations have proceeded with the anticipated speed.

According to Osifoh, organised labour had summed up their demand under three key areas, which included deployment of alternative to the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) such as CNG, providing palliatives and reduction in cost of governance.

So far, Osifoh said technical committees have been set to look into various aspects of the demands by Labour.

However, the TUC president regretted that at the last meeting of the negotiating team last Thursday, not much had been achieved

“As at today we have formed technical committees on cash transfers, on intervention fund, on reduction of cost of governance, on energy and power (developing CNG as alternative to PMS) and fixing of refineries.

“We also have technical committees on education and health and Mass Transit,” he explained.

But Osifoh said while some of the technical committees have been sitting others were yet to meet.

“Our position is that government should fast-track to ensure that action and processes are concluded to ensure that the sufferings of Nigerians are ameliorated,” he said.

According Osifoh, the federal government had said the negotiating team has maximum of two months to conclude all discussions so that implementation would commence and that it would not like a situation where the committee would sit for years.

“Government gave a timeline of eight weeks, beginning from June 19, and if you do your calculation, eight weeks is going to be end by August 19.

“So far we have stayed more than one month and we felt that we are not going at the speed we anticipated and we want the government to fast tract action to ensure that between now and next two weeks all the committees must have submitted their report so that the Presidential Steering Committee can conclude its work immediately because we cannot continue to blow big, big grammar while Nigerians are suffering and people are trekking long distances to work,” he said.

The TUC president said the elected leaders would need to show example in view of the harsh economic conditions the country is facing presently.

He added that such example would be better seen in the way of reduction in cost governance and by having the members of the Executive and Legislature pruning the huge budget expended on their welfare.

Osifoh, cited the case of the proposed N40 billion and N70 billion meant for the purchase of vehicles for National Assembly members and their welfare package.

He said workers would like to see President Bola Tinubu give a directive that none of his ministers appoint more than two aides.

“This is one of those things we felt that as trade Union Congress of Nigeria we must bring to the limelight and do everything possible to ensure government listens to us and that government fast tracks. TUC is ready to meet even at midnight and weekends.

“We are ready to work because the plight of Nigerian workers is our great concern because anything that will effect Nigerian workers is what we will fight to correct. Beyond the workers, it is also about the wellbeing of the masses because we have a.lot of Nigerians that are today unemployed,

“So what we are canvassing across these technical committees is that anything that you put in place should have in the basket the issue alternative and cheaper energy like the CNG, palliatives that will better the lives of the people and the issue of reduction of cost governance,” he added.

Osifoh said cutting the cost of governance was of paramount importance because government cannot continue to ask the workers and the battered masses to continuously tight their belt.

“We have exceeded the belt holes while those in government have continuously increased their largesse. They must lead by example, the executive, legislative and judiciary arms government must lead from the front and Nigerians will follow them from behind.

“But a situation they are pushing a lot Nigerians into poverty line while they are living in opulence, we will not allow that to happen If the National Assembly cannot give clear-cut justification of what they doing, we will lead the entire Nigerian masses to besiege the chambers because for us we think that injury to one is an injury to all,” he said.

Osifoh also said what Nigerians desired right now was for the government at the national and state levels to implement policies that would lead to reduction in cost of living rather action would inflate it.

With regard to upward review of school fees by institutions, the TUC president said such action was like adding more pain to the sufferings of Nigerians.

As a way to address the growing inflation and rising food prices, Osifoh advised that federal government should consider scrapping new excise duties imposed of goods.

July 25, 2023
Come up with very good palliatives – TUC tells FG

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has called on the Federal Government to urgently provide proper palliatives, stating that Nigerian workers are facing the worst moment of their lives.

He added that the workers now go to work on empty stomach everyday.

The appeal was made by the Kogi state chapter chairman, Sule Ahmed Tijani on Friday in Lokoja.

Tijani, while lamenting the poor state of workers due to fuel subsidy removal, said Nigerians can no longer bear the hike in prices of transportation and foodstuffs in the country, adding that workers are losing their lives and loved ones due to the untold hardship they are facing.

He berated the government for failing to put in place reasonable measures to cushion the hardship Nigerians are experiencing.

His words: “This has affected workers greatly. As I speak, transportation and food prices have all gone up. Workers in Kogi State are living at the mercy of God as we speak. Things are getting out of hand.

“It seems the government is playing deaf to the suffering of the masses. Workers don’t have enough money to go to work any more. An average worker working at the State Secretariat, Lokoja, and residing at Felele will be spending about N1,500 for transportation to the office, including feeding every day.”

He continued: “Unfortunately, the removal of fuel subsidy and the recent increase in petrol prices have further compounded the suffering of workers across Nigeria. Government has not done well by increasing fuel within two months of coming on board. The present administration didn’t tell us any reason for increasing the new fuel price.”

Noting that the country’s minimum wage can no longer sustain workers, he said: “The previous administration put many workers into suffering, and now this one is adding his own when we thought things would get better. We can no longer continue like this. As labour leaders, it is expected of us to pacify our followers so that they won’t do something that is contrary to the law.”

Tijani further knocked the proposed N8,000 palliative by the Government, urging the present administration to look at it holistically on the modalities to solve the problems of Nigerians and not worsen them.

“Let them channel the N8,000 to revive our refineries. They should stop making fools of us. We all know that if the proposed N8,000 monthly palliative is implemented, it will end up in the hands of the rich. The poorest families, who are the target, will not get anything. State governments and their allies will hijack it the way it has been done in the past,” he stated.

While noting that labour is not looking at the option of downing tools to press home its demands, the TUC chairman said members of organised labour are waiting for government to come up with a genuine template to ameliorate the suffering of workers.

Tijani also appealed to Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to, as a matter of urgency, look into the plight of workers just like other states are doing and help reduce their hardship.

July 21, 2023
Money saved from cutting cost of governance will help take care of other needs – TUC

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has advised the Federal Government of Nigeria to prioritize cutting the cost of governance, stating that it will help save plenty of money to take care of other pressing needs in the country.

This advice was given by TUC president, Festus Osifo while appearing as a guest on Sunrise Daily show on Channels TV on Friday Morning.

The TUC boss added that the money saved from the removal of fuel subsidy should be harnessed to take care of the most vulnerable Nigerians.

“The government has told us that they are going to save a massive amount of money when the subsidy is removed. So, part of this money should also go to taking care of Nigerians, especially the vulnerable,” he said.

Osifo urged the government to be proactive in exploring opportunities to generate more revenue for the nation.

“Crude oil is being sold in dollars (USD); when they were repatriating the money before now, the exchange rate was around N460 to a dollar. But today, it is going to be about N700, which means that there would be much more naira available to the government,” he said.

“More importantly is that, as a government, they must be creative. As a government, they must be innovative; they must put on their thinking cap and be able to grow the revenue of the country.”

He recalled that the present administration had in their campaign promised an increase in revenue generation and the growth of the country, adding that it was also their responsibility to think through and make it work.

The TUC leader expressed optimism that the labour union would not lose grip of their demands to the Federal Government, saying, “We know we cannot get 100 percent of the demands (in the) negotiation; we know our minimum set point.

“If the cost of governance is reduced, they would be able to save some money from that and if they do all these other things we have said, we believe that funds will be available.”

He added that the labour union and FG would continue the negotiations on June 26.

June 23, 2023