From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), has urged the Organised Labour to call off its nationwide industrial action.
NECA also condemned the harassment and brutalisation of the NLC president in Imo.
In a statement on Wednesday, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General of NECA, asked the government and organised labour to consider the consequences of their actions on the economy and businesses in the country.
He said: “We also think shutting down the whole economy of the nation is unjustifiable in whatever context.
“This is because two wrongs cannot make a right; has the government been consistent and demonstrated enough good faith? We don’t think so.
“Will the incessant strikes by the NLC, TUC, solve the problem? We don’t think so; the economy is already in a difficult state.’’
The director general stated that certain basic concerns or considerations should also be made by the government and labour, emphasising that the private sector is neither the protagonist nor the antagonist.
He warned that, “We will not allow government, labour or any group to by their actions or inactions constitute undertakers for organised businesses.
“This is because a lot of businesses are closing down every other time and thousands of employees are thrown back into the street.
“This, we will not will not be able to accept again.’’
He urged government and labour to go back to the negotiation table and adopt alternative dispute resolution mechanism if the current model of negotiation was not working.
“If the same process that we have been using to negotiate an agreement is not effective, if it is not working, then why not change the model of the negotiation of this engagement.
“Also of significant worry to us, whether from the government or labour side, is the disrespect for institutions of labour administration.
“We would not support disrespect for the pronouncement of the National Industrial Court either from government or from labour.
“If we have challenges with those pronouncement, there are laid down processes to follow,” he added. .