Nigerians Will Suffer More Hardship – Organised Private Sector Kicks Against Nationwide Strike

The Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) has kicked against the move by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to embark on a nationwide strike next month.

The private sector union said both the NLC and TUC have not given enough consideration to the declaration of the strike, or else they will understand that Nigerians will suffer more hardship if that happens.

We reported on Tuesday that the NLC and TUC concluded to embark on a nationwide strike starting from October 3, 2023.

The decision was reached by the organised Labour Unions on Tuesday after the failure of the Federal Government to successfully implement policies to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.

The organised labour unions had made demands from the Federal Government following the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit.

Among other things, the NLC and the TUC are asking for wage awards, implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers and a review of the minimum wage.

The National President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, during a virtual National Executive Council meeting which was held on Zoom, Tuesday, told members of NEC that a meeting was held with the officials of the TUC to deliberate on ways forward.

Ajaero noted that it was resolved that the two centres work together to make their stance known to the federal government.

However, the OPSN, which comprises of 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, have all kicked at the proposed strike.

According to them, the strike would truncate business activities and worsen the economic hardship Nigerians are facing.

The organised private sector, in a statement, warned both the federal government and the organised labour about the consequences of the strike to the economy.

The OPSN explained that the economy could not afford a nationwide strike at a time like this, noting that it is, therefore, crucial if the government and the labour unions can work hand-in-hand to avert the looming disruption of socio-economic activities in the country.

The private sector said even though the back-and-forth consultations between the government and the unions, which has not yielded any positive result, calls for an industrial action, things should be looked at critically.

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 endeavour 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.”