The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) plan to hold a nationwide strike the first week of next month, but the Organized Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) has railed against the idea.
The private sector union claimed that the NLC and TUC have not given the strike declaration enough thought, and that if they do, they will realize that Nigerians will endure greater hardship.
According to a report from GISTLOVER on Tuesday, the NLC and TUC decided to start a nationwide strike on October 3, 2023.
The Federal Government’s failure to successfully implement policies to lessen Nigerians’ suffering led to the decision, which was made by the organized labor unions on Tuesday.
After the Federal Government removed the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, the organized labor unions had made demands of it.
The NLC and the TUC are requesting a review of the minimum wage as well as wage awards, the implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances for public sector employees, and palliatives.
During a virtual National Executive Council meeting on Zoom on Tuesday, NEC members heard from NLC National President Joe Ajaero that a meeting with TUC officials had taken place to discuss next steps.
The two centers will collaborate to communicate their position to the federal government, according to Ajaero.
The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture, the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, and the Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists, all comprised of the OPSN, have all objected to the proposed strike.
They claimed that the strike would disrupt commercial operations and make the financial difficulties Nigerians already face worse.
The federal government and organized labor were both forewarned about the negative effects of the strike on the economy by the organized private sector in a statement.
The OPSN noted that the economy could not afford a nationwide strike at this time and that cooperation between the government and the labor unions is therefore essential to prevent the impending disruption of socio-economic activities in the nation.
The private sector asserted that even though back-and-forth negotiations between the government and the unions, which have not produced a favorable outcome, call for an industrial action, the situation merits careful consideration.
The statement read in part, “We are worried that adequate consideration is not given to the dire situation of the economy and the devastating/disruptive impact that a nationwide strike will have on the country at this time.
“The government and labour need to understand that our economy is being de-marketed and the livelihood of the average Nigerian is being diminished by this incessant bickering.
‘’One is beginning to wonder if the wellbeing of more than 200 million Nigerians is being factored into their negotiations.”
It also implored the government to endeavor to re-engage the leadership of the unions and find an amicable ground to avert any disruption in business activities that will attend the nationwide strike.
The OPS added, “Government should demonstrate good faith in keeping to its promises during the negotiations with labour and abstain from making promises they cannot or do not intend to keep.
“On the other hand, labour should do a realistic assessment of its demands within the context of prevailing economic realities and possibilities, while going the extra mile to indicate how its demands could be met.’’
