There are indications that the general strike called by the Nigerian Labour Congress to protest the N145 petrol pump price hike is heading for derailment.
Reports indicates deep divisions within the labour umbrella group, with the two powerful oil unions, PENGASSAN and NUPENG having already given early notification that their members would not be participating in the strike.
On Tuesday, a president of another faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, said his faction will not take part in the planned strike called by the Congress to protest the fuel price hike.
While speaking with journalist in Abuja, Ajaero said his faction cannot be part of the action because it was called at a wrong time and with wrong motives. He also accused the Ayuba Wabba faction of asking the government to write off the N2 billion loan the group collected in 2012 to buy buses.
According to Ajaero: “When you are asking that the loan given to you in 2012, which had not been paid back should be written off, we believe that the action has already been sold out before it takes off.”
“So, we will wait for our group to meet. But definitely, it appears that by ideology and every other thing. We can no longer meet. We thought we should have managed this in the interest of Nigerians but from the look of things, if appear we have to go our different ways.
“We have condemned the increase and called for negotiation and reversal. It was on the basis of our calls that this meeting was summoned for us to meet and find the way forward.”
“If we wanted to be serious about an action, you can’t call for an action on Wednesday. It is only an action that is sold out that is called for Wednesday so that by Friday, you say you have strike lethargy and call it off.”
On Tuesday, while Ayuba Wabba faction of the NLC insisted that it would go ahead with the strike, a government team, made up of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Federal government secretary, Babachir Lawal announced a peace deal with the Ajaero group.
Meanwhile, Segun Oshinowo, the Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), in a paper titled “deregulation of the oil and gas downstream sector: governance of our country- who is in control?, insisted there were many more stakeholders whose voices needed to be heard.
He restated the futility of the agitations in some quarters championed by the labour for the government to continue the subsidisation of fuel consumption, saying the realities of the Nigerian economy do not support the labour’s position.
“There is no question about the fact that the subsidy regime has failed. The organised private sector, as a key stakeholder in the Nigerian economy, has been consistent with its position that the way out of this policy disaster of subsidy is deregulation. We therefore want to commend this government for embracing the policy of deregulation and liberalisation, which will bring to an end to the corruption-ridden and anti-development policy of subsidy on petrol.
“The way forward therefore is for the government to invite organised labour and other key stakeholders such as the organised private sector, represented by NECA, MAN, NACCIMA, NASSI, NASME, major marketers, independent marketers for an all stakeholder’s dialogue with government. The purpose of this should be to fashion a way out which will take cognisance of palliatives for ameliorating the short-term pains of the new policy,” Oshinowo said.
A statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal warned civil servants against participating in the strike, adding that any worker who participated in the strike would not be entitled to his or her wage.
”The attention of all Public Officers is drawn to the notice issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to embark on an indefinite strike from Wednesday, 18th May, 2016. This notice is regrettably given in spite of an Order by the Industrial Court against the strike action.
”Government, therefore, calls upon and advises all workers to respect the laws of the land and to desist from participating in an illegal strike action.
”Government undertakes to guarantee the safety of workers and their work places, and expects that normal work will continue in the interest of the nation.
”Accordingly, Security agencies have been directed to ensure unimpeded access to offices, work places and markets.
”Acts of intimidation, harassment, including barricading of gates, locking up of offices, blocking of roads and preventing workers from carrying out their lawful duties will be met with appropriate response by the law enforcement agencies.
”All workers, whether in public or private sector are further reminded of the Trade Dispute Act, 2004, which provides that “where any worker takes part in a strike, he shall not be entitled to any wages or remuneration for the period of the strike and any such period shall not count for the purpose of reckoning the period of continuous employment and all rights dependent on continuity of employment shall be prejudicially affected accordingly.”
”Accordingly, all Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Government Agencies are hereby directed to invoke the provision of “no work no pay” in respect of any staff who absents him or herself from work to join the strike action.
”Attendance registers are required to be opened in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
