‘It’s ill-advised’ — NECA asks labour unions to shelve planned strike

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has urged the organised labour to shelve its planned indefinite strike as it could reverse the recent marginal gains on the economy.

Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, NECA’s director-general, made the call in a statement on Saturday. 

On May 31, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) declared an indefinite nationwide strike from June 3, over the federal government’s refusal to increase the minimum wage from N60,000.

Expressing his views on the subject, Oyerinde said the strike could incapacitate the private sector.

The NECA boss said the planned strike was ill-timed and would not only impoverish Nigerians, “but also escalate the already worrisome unemployment situation”.

“The call for an indefinite strike even when the Tripartite Committee has not completed its proceedings, is ill-advised,” he said.

“The committee, being a tripartite committee, with equal right and privileges, was to consult extensively and make recommendations to the President and Commander-in-Chief.

“The president’s final approval will, thereafter, be passed to the National Assembly for legislative action before the president will give assent.” 

Oyerinde said aggrieved parties will make representations and freely express their views at the national assembly before a new national minimum wage bill will be passed into law.

“While it is normal for parties to have divergent opinion, the President and Commander-in-Chief has the final authority,” he said.

The director-general, therefore, said it is concerning that the organised labour would call for an indefinite strike when the processes are yet to be concluded.

He said the organised private sector of Nigeria (OPSN) would take all necessary steps within extant legislation to protect its interest and survival, should the strike commence.

The OPSN remains dedicated to a new national minimum wage, Oyerinde said.

However, he said in the current macro-economic circumstances, the odds are greatly stacked against organised businesses, impacting job security.

“It is our strong view that any amount beyond what the OPSN offered, could further escalate the already worsened health of many businesses, especially the Small and Medium Enterprises, and drive others to the precipice,” he said.

“That situation could potentially compound the bad unemployment rate and worsen the insecurity situation in the country.”

Oyerinde also urged the federal government to immediately reverse the recent increase in electricity prices and expedite the implementation of relief measures for Nigerians.