As the strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to protest against the increase in fuel price continued yesterday, the workers’ organisation expressed its readiness for dialogue when the Federal Government makes such an offer.
But the labour group may adopt sectoral strike as an option to enforce the effectiveness of the industrial action as it enters its third day. By the sectoral option, the NLC means each of the units that make up the association would embark on strike at different times.
There was not much change in the low level of compliance by workers in the major cities of Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna and Port Harcourt as government workers dutifully reported for work, while banks, schools and other public in the three cities were open for business.
The Guardian learnt that the readiness for talks is influenced by the determination of the congress leadership to force government into entering real negotiation with it over the increase in the pump price of petrol.
The NLC had always insisted that the so-called negotiation being carried out with them by government was a mere reinforcement of government position and what it was willing to offer.
Indeed, the President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, has continued to insist that the congress is willing to engage in genuine dialogue with government but will resist any attempt at engaging in a monologue in which government would determine the outcome of negotiations.
Besides, the Senate has pledged to accelerate the dialogue between the Federal Government and NLC. And a pro-democracy and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has suggested to the Federal Government a modified fuel subsidy especially for poor Nigerians.
It also condemned the purported court order from the National Industrial Court (NIC) stopping the NLC and the civil society community from going on strike, stressing that the government should emulate the United States and United Kingdom where their farmers are paid subsidies by way of vouchers.
Speaking at the day two of the strike in Abuja, Wabba explained that history would be kind to NLC for supporting poor Nigerians who cannot afford the N145 per litre for petrol, saying: “As we have continued to say, Nigerians cannot afford this increment. Nigerians are already over-stretched by many bills such as the recent increment of the electricity tariffs.
“Even the so-called negotiation held with us was to lay on the table what government was offering. It was never a platform for us to say what we wanted and what our fears are and assurance that the price will not further go up when the scenario changes.
“Today, comrades, how are we sure that the price will not top N200 per litre as the exchange rate goes up and if the price of crude oil in the international market goes up? Is any assurance given in case any of these scenarios happen? What are the safety nets put in place? So comrades, the issue is far more complicated than reducing it simply to price only. We are not averse to discussing. Whenever government invites us, we will honour such an invitation that offers genuine dialogue.”
The NLC also cautioned the police who arrested and detained some of its members in Ebonyi State to unconditionally release them immediately.
A statement by the General Secretary of Congress, Peter Ozo-Eson said: “We would use this opportunity to sound a note of warning to all overzealous security personnel. This has been a peaceful protest and we intend to keep it so. They should do nothing reckless to escalate it.”
NLC said the protest continues today with Berger roundabout, Abuja serving as the takeoff point at 7:00a.m.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Employment Labour and Productivity, Suleiman Nazif, who yesterday disclosed Senate’s resolve to intervene when he paid a visit to Labour House, said the upper chamber, worried about happenings in the country, was willing to play a stabilising role in order to resolve the industrial dispute.
His words: “I am here on behalf of the Senate to express our concerns about the ongoing strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). The Senate has been extremely worried about the happenings in Nigeria.
“The Senate is also very worried about the plight of Nigerians and we also sympathise with the position you have taken. We know your concerns because you are true representatives of the people and we believe that we can resolve the matter within the next few days.”
Nazif said the Senate would also be meeting with government officials in due course in order to find a solution to the labour unrest occasioned by the increase in the pump price of petrol.
0 comments:
Post a Comment