NECA calls for urgent Govt action to avert NLC planned action
The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) on Wednesday called for urgent government intervention, to stop the organised labour from embarking on its planned action.
NECA’s Director-General, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, made this call in an interview in Lagos.
According to him, the planned action by organised labour is not in the interest of the nation, especially now that the economy and businesses are struggling.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had given the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum within which to meet its demands, and to embark on a nationwide action from Aug. 2, “to compel the government to reverse its anti-poor and anti-workers policies.”
Oyerinde said although, the genuine concerns of NLC was understandable and the agitation expected, the plan to protest would also not bring about any positive resolution.
“It is true that the removal of fuel subsidy has heaped intolerable levels of hardship on Nigerian workers and households, with businesses also feeling the heat.
“We have witnessed an astronomical increase in the cost of living, with no relief in sight; rising inflation has further exacerbated our woes.
“We, indeed, express our empathy to all Nigerians who have been affected by the current policy thrusts of government, which are yet to yield the expected results,” he said.
Oyerinde, therefore, urged the Federal Government to be more transparent, communicate more and intensify talks with labour in order to build consensus.
He said also that there was need for definitive conclusions to be reached and clear roadmaps communicated to stakeholders.
“In line with the International Labour Organisation Convention 131 on Minimum Wage Fixing, the tripartite discussions on national minimum wage negotiation should commence immediately.
“NECA will continue to champion social dialogue as the principal means of resolving industrial dispute. while also urging stakeholders, including government, to demonstrate responsibility and good faith in engagements with stakeholders, given our fragile economic circumstances,” he said.
Also, speaking, the Programme Manager, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Mr Okeke Anya, said there was need for NLC to articulate its demands and their impact on the general welfare of the people, beyond workers.
Anya said, “Nigerians generally are facing hardship in every aspect of their lives.
“However, NLC has been on the issue of strike almost since the inception of this administration and has always backed out of it at the last minute.
“In any case, I doubt if the NLC leadership will have strength of character to pull it through.”
