From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Northern-based Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has asked the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to consider current economic hardship Nigerians are facing and call-off the ongoing national strike without further delay.
According to the CSOs, the untold hardship caused by the indefinite strike, especially in the north is becoming unbearable for the ordinary citizens, who eke living out of daily economic activities.
In 8-point communique issued after an emergency meeting held at Arewa House, Kaduna on Wednesday, the Organisations urged the labour unions to consider alternative dispute resolution mechanisms other than strike actions to achieve their demands than to cause more hardships to common man.
The communique jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary,Comrade Musa Abdullahi Danbatta and Comrade Yusuf Ibrahim Kudan ,the CSOs said though NLC has the right to mount pressure on government to achieve its demands , the timing is wrong considering the plethora of challenges currently facing the country.
While stating that they are not insensitive to the plights of labour unions and reasons for the strike , they want the labour unions to consider and be mindful that the issues raised are inherited problems ,which are currently being addressed by the federal government .
The organisations noted that it would be counter-productive to slow the process down with incessant strike actions, when round table engagements could be better option.
The Communique reads, ” We have followed with keen interest , the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration and discovered that his economic policies are geared toward economic recovery and ensuring a sustainable sectoral growth and development.
“It is against this background that we resolved the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and other labour unions should call-off the strike action immediately and consider a round table engagement with federal government on issues of their demands .
“We therefore call on respected labour unions to support President Ahmed Tinubu to move the country forward, considering that since assuming office on May 29,203 he has demonstrated committed to tackling the economic problems inherited and began the journey to rebuild the country’s battered economy in a difficult situation.
“NLC and TUC should consider that the President was able to take a bold and courageous decision to remove the fuel subsidy to avert a national economic catastrophe of epic proportions,which stunted the growth of economy over the years.
“That it was in consideration of the pains on Nigerians and workers especially that the government rolled out intervention in form of Palliatives to help cushion the unintended negative impacts of subsidy removal,such as; working out a minimum wage and salary increase, supporting states and local governments , providing fertilizers to farmers, grains to households, cash transfers to people with low incomes.
“That it is worthy of note that President Tinubu laid out steps to improve incentives for civil servants, including salary increases, improving quality and hygiene of working environments. His payroll-system reforms removed thousands of ghost workers from the system”
The CSOs also asked the labour unions to consider the federal government’s Petroleum industry reforms aimed at improving crude oil production output and the ongoing efforts made to repatriate of looted funds, which will no doubt help in revenue generation and enhanced economic stability.
While highlighting Tinubu’s economic recovery reforms, they observed that government has set up a Tax and Fiscal Reforms Committee that is fully at work to deepen the ongoing reforms and reposition the national economy for long-term sustainability.
However, they expressed optimism that these reforms will help reduce the impact of the high cost of living on the citizens.
“The support of labour unions as pressure groups is required to help the President focus on redirecting the economy and remove impediments to productivity and competitiveness in order to grow and create millions of decent jobs that are essential for long term economic growth,” the communique added.