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Despite overtures by the federal government, members of the organised labour under the aegis of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) last week protested against the anti-people policies of the Bola Tinubu administration. Although the nationwide exercise was suspended a day after following the meeting labour leaders had with President Bola Tinubu, there are signs that a looming national strike cannot be ruled out over government’s court actions against labour leaders.
The members of the affiliate unions of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), which participated the protests included, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the National Union of Electricity Employees of Nigeria (NUEE), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The workers’ protests affected businesses and movements in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and other states of the Federation including Benue, Abia, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, Zamfara, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kwara, Ogun, Imo, Ondo, Edo and Lagos.
The NLC had in a letter dated August 2, 2023, to President Tinubu through Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, accused the government of breaching an agreement with the labour unions by going further with more anti-people policies. The NLC said it protested to show that the government was manifesting bad faith by refusing to give effect to the resolutions earlier made, among others. The union stood its ground that the government must reverse all anti-people policies, release eight months withheld salaries of university lecturers and workers, fix local refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna among others.
The labour leaders’ meeting with Tinubu probably prevented the action from entering the second day. We commend the government and the labour unions for arriving at an understanding in suspending the protests. We also believe that the period of truce will be enough for the government and the labour leaders to amicably settle all outstanding issues.
Government needs to dialogue with the organized labour. The points raised by the workers should be looked into. The government cannot function effectively without the cooperation of the organized labour. They are partners in the development of the nation. The current minimum wage of N30,000 in unrealistic. No Nigerian worker can survive on the current national minimum wage. Unfortunately, many states and companies are yet to implement it. The President and the state governors should pragmatically address the issues raised by labour.
The cost of living in the country is very high. With inflation rate estimated at 22.97 per cent as of June, the N30,000 minimum wage cannot sustain any average worker. The rate of unemployment has remained at 33.3 per cent since 2020, thus putting many families under pressure. To worsen matters, the value of the Naira has been on a steady decline.
Apart from the NLC, members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) are protesting over welfare matters. Undoubtedly, the take home pay of the average Nigerian worker is nothing to write about. Equally, some of the government’s policies are at the detriment of the workers. They include the sudden fuel subsidy removal and harmonisation of the exchange rates. In coming up with these measures, labour was not carried along. The announcement was made in a hurry without due consultations with Nigerians.
Therefore, the threat by NLC to embark on a nationwide strike on August 14, if the court actions instituted by the government against its officers are not withdrawn, should not be waved aside. If the impending strike is not nipped in the bud, it will definitely cripple the economy. To avert the looming industrial action, the government must dialogue productively with organised labour. The economy cannot withstand a nationwide industrial action. Last year, ASUU was forced to go into an eight-month strike that paralysed activities in the universities. Sadly, the avoidable strike led to the loss of one academic year.
With the swift screening of the nominees for ministerial positions by the Senate, it is hoped that the President will soon constitute his cabinet. Therefore, the incoming ministers, especially the minister of labour, will hit the ground running. There is indeed no time to waste.
