ONLY THE ILL-INFORMED SAY LABOUR UNIONS HAVE NO RIGHT TO PROTEST INCREMENT IN PETROL PRICE
What is the cacophony about the planned strike action by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) about? It is becoming nauseating and one needs to invite attention to this growing inclination for autocracy and dictatorship. Who says the Labour unions have no right to protest and challenge the increment in petrol price? Why are we sounding as if President Buhari’s presidency is incompatible with democratic norms and civil engagement?
The NLC/TUC has an unbroken record of opposing increase in fuel price. Even during the military dictatorship, they still embarked on strikes and protests whenever the price of fuel was increased. So why are people trying to demonize the labour movement in Nigeria?
Buhari’s supporters may derail this administration.
Prof. Ben Nwabueze in one of his books opined that: “a dictatorship, no matter how benevolent, is still a dictatorship”. The sort of intemperate language that some commentators are using on this issue is contemptuous to all known rules of democracy and civilization.
No government can stop the labour unions from expressing their discontent on policies that affects their members adversely. The present government did not even engage the organize labour appropriately before announcing this policy.
On that score alone, the unions have the right to dissent.
Despite my lack of confidence in the labour movement, I respect their position on this issue. In 2012, I participated actively in the Occupy Nigeria, we were betrayed by the NLC/TUC. However, that betrayal did not obliterate the legal right of the unions to embark on strikes and protests in the future.
We need to stop sounding as if President Buhari’s policies are immuned from opposition and criticism. Instead of demonizing the unions, we should be asking the government to engage them in a meaningful dialogue.
I urge the NLC/TUC to focus more on increase of minimum wage.
© Inibehe Effiong Esq.
16/5/2016.
Source: Ibommobile
16/5/2016.
Source: Ibommobile
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