The Labour Party (LP) leadership has called on the Nigerian Government and Organised Labour to resume negotiations for the benefit of Nigerian workers.
This appeal follows the government’s invitation to labour leaders through the National Salaries Wages and Income Commission on Monday, June 3.
The nationwide strike which commenced Monday, impacted various sectors, leading to a shutdown of government agencies, schools, banks, and businesses.
LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh in a statement, expressed concerns about the strike’s effects on the masses and called on the government to demonstrate flexibility to rebuild trust with Labour.
Ifoh emphasises the need for both parties to compromise on their positions to reach a reasonable agreement. He urges the government to take a paternal role and facilitate Labour’s return to negotiations to alleviate the hardship faced by Nigerians.
“To remove that suffering from the people, both the government and Labour have to shift ground to have a meeting point. It is our opinion that the FG ought not to have allowed the strike to commence in the first instance. The new minimum wage is due because the reality as of today is that the current minimum wage of N30,000 can’t even take anybody home.
“As to the amount being demanded, it is our sincere opinion that both parties should agree. Each party should shift their position in the spirit of negotiation so we can have something reasonable from both sides. The amount being tabled by the FG can be upped but the Organised Labour must also prune their demands.
“We want to urge both parties to come back to the drawing tables. We particularly appeal to the FG to play the role of the father figure by ensuring that Labour comes back to the table so they can discuss and agree to avert the current suffering that the people are going through,” Ifoh said.
