The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has called on the government and organised labour to carefully assess the impact of their actions on the economy and businesses.
In an interview with the Vistanaij M in Abuja, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, the Director-General of NECA, expressed his concerns as the ongoing strike led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) entered its second day.
The strike was initiated on November 13 to push for various demands, particularly regarding the alleged inaction of the Federal Government in response to the harassment and brutalization of NLC President Joe Ajaero by security agents and hoodlums in Imo State. Oyerinde strongly condemned the mistreatment of the NLC president, but also emphasized that shutting down the entire national economy is unjustifiable in any context. He questioned whether the strikes by the NLC and TUC would ultimately solve the underlying problems, especially considering the already challenging state of the economy.
Oyerinde highlighted the struggles faced by organized businesses, reiterating that the private sector should not be seen as either the protagonist or antagonist in this situation. He stressed that businesses are already grappling to stay afloat, and the continuous shutdowns and disruptions caused by strikes contribute to further closures and unemployment.
The director-general urged both the government and labour to return to the negotiation table and take the necessary steps to find a resolution. He suggested exploring alternative dispute resolution mechanisms if the current negotiation model proves ineffective. NECA firmly believes that all parties involved should prioritize the well-being of the economy and businesses, ensuring that sustainable solutions are sought to prevent further negative consequences.
