Planned Strike: Nigerians’ Interest Should Be Paramount, Saraki Tells FG, Labour
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Senate President Bukola Saraki has called on the Federal Government as well as the organised labour to be more concerned about the interest of the people.
He made the appeal on Monday in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu.
The lawmaker said asked the government to work together with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), to avert the proposed workers’ strike which he said would put Nigerians in a difficult situation.
“At this point, the interest of the people should be paramount in our minds,” he stated. “Any labour strike will cause inconvenience and discomfort to our people.”
Saraki added, “While the government and labour are representing the interest of the people, it is important to also ensure we avoid any action that will not show sensitivity and sensibility to the plight of the people.”
To this end, he urged both parties to demonstrate sensitivity and concern for the plight of ordinary Nigerians who are already battling with the harsh economic conditions in the country.
He also stressed the need for them to immediately create a new middle ground in the negotiations for the new minimum wage.
Dr Saraki, however, thanked the labour leaders for the patience displayed so far, noting that the issue of the new minimum wage could have been resolved long before now.
He said, “My Appeal is for the two sides to immediately move fast, shift from their extreme positions and create a new middle ground in the negotiations for the new minimum wage.
”The shift in positions can be done even before the period of the commencement of the proposed strike action so that we do not further create tension within the economy.”
The Labour unions have threatened to commence a nationwide indefinite industrial action strike on Tuesday if the Federal Government fails to intervene and seal the negotiations on a national minimum wage of N30,000.
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