Why NLC must not go on strike now over petrol subsidy removal – Barrister Okiogbero

A renown legal practitioner in Lagos, Barrister Jonathan Okiogbero, has written to the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), transmitting why the Organised Labour should not go on national strike to protest the removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu at this early stage of policy pronouncement. Okiogbero commended the Trade Union Congress (TUC), as well as the NLC on the suspension of the strike planned to commence on Wednesday, saying that the labour unions should exhaust all channels of negotiation with the federal government before considering a national strike.

Speaking to National Daily in Lagos on Tuesday, Barrister Okiogbero said that he has written to the Organised Labour to stop the strike planned for Wednesday, pointing out that the planned strike is premature and hasty.
Barrister Okiogbero stated that the first thing for the Organised Labour to do is to negotiate with the present federal government on the removal of petrol subsidy, rather than embark on a national strike because of the subsidy removal. He said that the planned strike will cripple the already ailing economy of Nigeria and cause more hardship for the Nigerian citizens who are still struggling for daily survival and yet to overcome the difficulties and financial losses incurred during the Naira redesigning policy and scarcity of money during the elections early this year.
Barrister Okiogbero also said that it’s after negotiation has broken down with the federal government that the Congress can consider or decide to embark on strike or any other alternative industrial action.
Barrister Okiogbero maintained that the Organised Labour cannot jump the scale of negotiation into strike without first engaging the government on the welfare and interests of the Nigerian workers in the post-subsidy removal regime.
The legal practitioner said that the initiative of the TUC to demand for new Minimum Wage from the Tinubu administration is a most rational action of the Organised Labour in the country.
Barrister Okiogbero further told National Daily that he has already prepared papers to file a suit at the Industrial Court, Lagos, on Tuesday to seek the court to stop the strike before Nigerians woke up to the news that Labour has suspended the planned strike. He maintained that should the Organised Labour insist on proceeding on strike without extensive negotiation with the federal government, he would challenge the industrial action in court.
The legal practitioner acknowledged that the removal of petrol subsidy obviously has adverse effects on citizens finances and well being, saying that the government is aware of the hardship caused by the subsidy removal and is making arrangements to minimize the hardships and give Nigerians better life. According to him, “even President Bola Tinubu is aware of the hardship caused by the sudden removal of petrol subsidy and has promised Nigerian workers of a new Minimum Wage, and, indeed, a living wage.”
Barrister Okiogbero called for patience as the new administration of President Tinubu is settling down for governance of the country after the May 29 inauguration. He expressed optimism that Nigeria will be better under the new leadership.