The Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) says it is seriously worried about the possibility of a strike action at the time in the nation’s economic history.
The body which comprises Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA); Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA); The Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) and Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), called on the Federal Government and the Labour Unions to work seriously to avert the looming disruption of socioeconomic activities in the country.
Accordingnto OPSN, “The economic indicators are not good and simply put, the economy cannot afford a nationwide strike at this time.
“We have keenly watched the back and forth consultations between the Government on the one hand and the National Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on the other. It is evident that the series of consultations have not yielded positive results and the latter has resolved, in one way or the other, to go ahead with the protest/strike. We are worried that adequate consideration is not given to the dire situation of the economy and the devastating/disruptive impact that a nationwide strike will have on the country at this time.”
The body said the government and labour need to understand that the economy is being de-marketed and the livelihood of the average Nigerian is being diminished by these incessant bickering. “One is beginning to wonder if the wellbeing of more than 200 million Nigerians is being factored into their negotiations,” OPSN said in a statement signed on behalf of the five member organisations by the Director General of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Segun Ajayi-Kadir.
“While recognizing the right of the Labour Union to pursue the welfare of its members, we continue to implore the Government to employ its best endeavours to reengage the leadership of the Unions and find an amicable ground to avert the imminent disruption in business activities that will attend the protest and nationwide strike. “We opine that adequate consideration should be given to the grim state of the economy and the possible unintended consequences of social unrest that may result from the protests. In the same vein, while appreciating the deep concern of our members about the imminent strike, we urge the management to be circumspect in their business operations, as we continue to intervene in last minute attempts to avert the strike.
“Adequate measures should be taken to protect company assets and contingency plans be made to keep business afloat. Meanwhile, it is important to begin to have a conversation around how the labour unions and the government can resolve their issues without jeopardizing the livelihood of the average Nigerian and truncating our business projection and activities.”
The group said there should be some innovation around how the conversation between the government and labour will not always end up in holding the economy hostage, adding that the unintended consequence on the fortune of the average business and people of Nigeria is unwarranted and becoming too high.
“Government should demonstrate good faith in keeping to its promises during the negotiations with labour and abstain from making promises they cannot or do not intend to keep. On the other hand, labour should do a realistic assessment of its demands, within the context of prevailing economic realities and possibilities, while going the extra mile to indicate how its demands could be met.
“We look forward to a time that labour will extend the scope of its demands to include recommendations on how government could meet those demands, with implementation strategies and realistic timelines. There appears to be a general consensus by government and labour, and the generality of Nigerians on the need to assuage the hardship occasioned by recent government economic measures. It behooves the government to advance the frontiers of this consensus to chart an agreeable roadmap and enable concrete programmes that will bring relief to the workers and Nigerians.”
The OPSN said Governance is a collective effort and all the segments of the society should work with government to create a conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive and realistically hold government accountable for the improvement of the wellbeing of Nigerians.