Federal Government and the need to avert looming labour strike
Strike could simply be defined as industrial disharmony between labour unions and government, occasioned by grievances planked on wage dissatisfaction.
In Nigeria, strikes have almost become endemic in the annals of the country.
This is because labour unions have come to the conclusion that the only language understood by the Federal Governnment is strike. So they cash on the slightest opportunity to unleash it on the authorities concern and in most cases the government, whether federal or state.
It is not therefore strange to hear that the organised labour, talking about the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its counterpart, Trade Union Congress (TUC) had recently issued a 7-day ultimatum to the Federal Governnment of Nigeria to undo what it did that led to the monumental increase in cost of living of the citizenry. By that, labour is practically talking about immediate reversal of fuel subsidy removal by Federal Governnment in the country.
Just last Wednesday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by its National President, Comrd Joe Ajero gave the Federal Governnment seven-day ultimatum to reverse the increase of petroleum products prices, especially Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which it said has forced cost of living of average Nigerian to an unbearable stage.
Labour has lamented the hardship its members have to undergo as a result of the oil subsidy removal, calling on the Federal Governnment to correct the anomaly.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) had earlier given a similar strike notice to the Federal Governnment, pointing at the same grievances.
Not forgetting the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) that had already embarked on an indefinite strike to drive home their demand of poor remuneration.
Though the FG has through the House of Representatives appealed to the aggrieved workers to dialogue with the Governnment on possible way to avert the looming strike.
Speaker of the Lower Chambers, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas specifically begged NLC and TUC leaderships to sheathe their sword and embrace dialogue,which he said is a better option to end the impasse.
Abbas appealed to the NARD leaders to call off their ongoing industrial action and go back to the negotiating table, pointing out that the Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Governnment is ready to address their grievances.
At this juncture, one may want to look at the implication of strike on the country’s economy.
It is on record that the primary impact of labour strike all over the world is distortion of productivity of workers. Apart from that, industrial action brings about strained relationship between the employees and their employers and when that happens, money or wealth is lost, amounting to economic woes. And when productivity is dislocated, your guess is as good as mine. It said that nation has ever smiled when its production is grounded.
So Nigeria cannot be an exception, that is the reason why economic experts insist that anything that will make workers down tools, should be avoided.
Therefore it is not enough for the federal government to claim ignorance of the plight of workers and by extension the entire citizenry.
The Tinubu-led Federal Governnment shouldn’t pretend that all is well, when the cost of living has skyrocketed due to hyper-inflation, induced by the oil subsidy removal since he assumed duty as the President of the country.
Also, economic and political watchers have described the proposed N8,000 palliative to the poorest of the poor household in Nigeria as an insult to the sensibility of Nigerians. The palliative, they said, is inpracticable in the first place, as there no feasible data to determine the right beneficiaries in the first place, not to talk of its implementation.
It has therefore become expedient to advise the FG on how to go about solving this labour dispute.
Nigeria Labour Congress was specific that by August 2, 2023 all its affiliates should down tools across the country, unless something reasonable is done by the federal government to ameliorate the sufferings of workers in the country.
In fact, labour after its recent emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, directed all its affiliate unions to commence mobilisation of its members towards a marathon showdown with the Federal Governnment effective from August 2, 2023.
Our position as a way of averting this mother of all strikes, is to cut down cost of governance in the country. Nigerian Senators, for instance, earn more than all lawmakers across the globe in the midst of poverty stricken populace.
Ultimately, public refineries should be repaired and brought back to operations. It is common sensesical that if the refineries start production, prices of petroleum products will naturally fall. It is well known that anything that touches on petroleum products, especially PMS, touches on the life of the average Nigerian.
We therefore call on the federal government to do everything humanly possible to avert this looming labour strike,even if it needs economic or political sacrifice.
We are equally concerned and bothered about the rumour that the federal government may want to re-enact the court injunction on labour not to embark on strike. It is an open secret that force has never been used successfully in any civilized society to tackle trade disputes, Nigeria cannot be an exception. The needful should be done to amicably resolve the impasse to the benefit of all.
