As the leadership of workers’ unions prepares to meet to determine their next course of action ahead of the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum on Friday, the Organized Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) has reiterated its call on the Federal Government and labor unions to work diligently to avert the impending disruption of socio-economic activities in the country.
Discussions between labor and the government regarding post-subsidy removal palliatives for workers, especially at the federal level, have remained inconclusive.
Both parties were expected to address some of the key issues raised by organized labor within specified timeframes.
The demands of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) include wage increases, tax exemptions, and allowances for public sector workers, as well as the provision of Compressed Natural Gas buses.
Others include the release of guidelines for the N70 billion for Small and Medium Enterprises, the release of National Union of Road Transport Workers officials by the police, and the resolution of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria crisis in Lagos, among other issues.
State chapters and affiliated unions of the NLC have commenced mobilization for a potential nationwide strike following the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum issued by the government to provide palliatives in response to the recent fuel subsidy removal.
The NLC has scheduled an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council for tomorrow.
In a statement reacting to the planned nationwide strike over unresolved issues related to the fuel subsidy removal, the OPSN expressed concern about the poor state of economic indicators and the country’s inability to afford a nationwide strike at this time.
OPSN comprises five business membership organizations: the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, 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.
“We have closely followed the consultations between the government and the NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC),” the statement said.
“It is clear that the series of consultations between the government and labor unions have not yielded positive results, and the latter has resolved, in one way or the other, to go ahead with the protest/strike.
“We are concerned that adequate consideration is not given to the dire state of the economy and the devastating/disruptive impact that a nationwide strike will have on the country at this time.
“Look, the government and labor 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 well-being of more than 200 million Nigerians is being factored into their negotiations,” it said.
OPSN emphasized the need for both organized labor and the government to engage in conversations on how to resolve issues without jeopardizing the livelihood of the average Nigerian and disrupting business operations.
They called for innovative ways to ensure that negotiations between the government and labor do not consistently result in holding the economy hostage.
“The unintended consequence on the fortune of the average business and people of Nigeria is unwarranted and becoming too high,” OPSN added.
The organizations stressed the importance of the government keeping its promises during negotiations and urged labor to make realistic demands, taking into account prevailing economic realities.
They also called for a time when labor would extend the scope of its demands to include recommendations on how the government could meet those demands, complete with implementation strategies and realistic timelines.
