NLC strike in bad faith, negotiations fall short of global standard of bargain – CSO

The Civil Society Coalition for Credible Elections, (CIVSOCE) on Monday declared the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC strike action unlawful and in bad faith, saying the previous negotiation fell short of global standard in government-Labour bargain.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the Convener, Hon. Kassim Auwal who was flanked by other executives explained that the purpose of Labour Union was to ensure the welfare of workers, stating that the Jude Ajaero-led NLC and the Trade Union Congress have been about selfish bargain that does not serve the interest of the Nigerian workers.

The CSO contended that the upward review of salaries for workers has been responsible for inflation in the economy, hence, so many factors would have been taken into consideration before pressuring government into payment of N494,000 minimum wage, a development he argued would make local denominations the worst performing currency in the world.

According to Auwal, Nigeria’s currency has been instable since the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu due to the immediate past government’s unfavourable economic policies which they were aware, and given that the present administration’s frantic efforts to remedy the situation as was glaring to all, should be given time and ample opportunity to stabilize the currency.

The CSO lamented that Civil Society Organisations have not been carried along in negotiations by the Labour Union to enable them contribute their quota, wondering the fate of the critical mass in the informal sector if government was to accede to the demands of the labour union.

They noted that there was improvement in the internal revenue generation in the past one year as could be seen in the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee monthly distribution template to the three tiers of government, which they said, was due to some economic policies of government of the day, insisting that patience was sacrosanct at this time for government to fully come up with what would improve on the welfare of the entire Nigerian, rather than coaxing it into one’s selfish demands.

“We call on the Nigeria the Nigeria Labour Congress to go back to the round table negotiation for a serious business in the interest of Nigerians, even as all the frontline Civil Society Organisations should be captured to chat a way forward.

“For any meaningful negotiation to take place, we call on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of Special Duties and other government officials involved in labour matters to insist on having CSOs on the round table negotiation.”

The CSO also urged the labour unions to heed the plea and advice of the leadership of the National Assembly when they had meeting on Sunday, noting that the National Assembly from all indication was willing to broker peace between the Federal Government and the workers, adding that they should call off the strike without delay.