The proposed strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) will be counter-productive if it goes ahead, private employers of labour cautioned yesterday.
According to them, the NLC should seek better opportunities for its members to cushion subsidy removal pain through dialogue with the government.
Early in the month, NLC President Joe Ajaero called out workers on a two-day warning strike, but it attracted mixed compliance on September 5 and 6.
Announcing the warning strike, Ajaero, who shunned a meeting called by Labour Minister Simon Lalong, said a “total shut down of the economy” would follow in 14 days unless the government reversed the pump price of petrol to pre-May 29, among other reasons.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) which declined to join the NLC for the warning strike opted for a dialogue with the government within two weeks.
In a September 8 letter to the government, the TUC said it is expecting a response from the government on its proposals.
The NLC has, however, opted to go ahead with its plan to mobilise workers for an indefinite strike.
But, a former Vice President of the NLC Comrade Issa Aremu said the industrial action is preventable.
Aremu, who is Director General of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) said,
“Strikes are just the means not to an end. The end is improved welfare for working men and women at this challenging times.
“I know that President Tinubu is concerned about the plight of all. His quotable quote is ‘let’s the poor breath.”
Aremu said Lalong has demonstrated commitment to dialogue with NLC and TUC.
He stressed,
“Strikes are therefore, preventable. I think both government and organised labor will soon find a common ground.
“Strike is certainly not inevitable, indeed it is preventable but rewarding negotiations and compromises by the two parties.”
The Director-General of the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Adewale-Smart Oyerinde, who featured on a Television programme last night, said the proposed strike will be counter-productive, adding that it will hurt employers and employees.
The NECA boss, who applauded the Federal Government for the steps taken so far, however, said there was need for the government to do more.
He said,
“The approval of N5billion to each state is a step, because if the money is well spent in a state economy, it will trigger some level of consumption, which will also go back into production.
“We are also aware that the government is sharing rice. But, these efforts are not enough.”
Oyerinde said the strike will not in any way address the challenges confronting employers, employees the generality of Nigerians.
In his view, it is possible for parties in the dispute to renegotiate already agreed terms.
Oyerinde added,
“Our position remains the same on the issue. And that is, if you negotiate, courtesy demands that you live up to the terms of negotiation.
“But, if anything arises that makes it difficult to live up to the terms of the negotiation, there is opportunity to renegotiate the terms that have been agreed upon, if you don’t have the capacity to implement.”
The DG said going on strike will distress stakeholders.
He stressed,
“For us as employers, though we are paying beyond the minimum wage and we have also gone to provide succour, palliatives, welfare packages to make life easier for employees in the private sector, notwithstanding the fact that employers are currently bleeding and facing multi-dimensional challenges.
“But, we have done well, as the President had also commended the employers in his August broadcast. A strike at this point will do two or three things.
“One, it will hinder the ability of the employers to meet their obligations and this will affect, not only the public sector, but even the workers.
“When you go on strike, it will put the employers in double jeopardy, especially when we are not the protagonist and antagonists. And that remains our position.”
Oyerinde urged the government to do everything possible to avert the industrial crisis.
He said,
“We are calling on the government to do all that is necessary to avoid the strike.
“But if the strike should happen, it will be counter-productive for both employers and the workers.”
Oyerinde said government should look at the payment of multiple taxes, VAT on diesel and petrol, creation of an enabling environment, and the forex challenge.
