Does Nigerians Still Have Trust in NLC, TUC?
The Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have got a bit of courage. They were relatively unknown throughout the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari only for the unions to become brave, vocal and agitative all of a sudden when Bola Tinubu took over.
Yesterday, the unions declared an indefinite strike aimed at pressing he federal government to do the needful pertaining to the minimum wage, which is being unnecessary dragged by the parties involved.
The labour Congress ought to be a platform, a channel whereby the masses would project their grievances, pains and hardship to the government. However, the NLC and TUC, and of course its branches including ASUU, NMA, etc become active only when the salaries or welfare of its members are concerned.
President Bola Tinubu openly declared that he had removed subsidy on petroleum. The unions were helpless, they couldn’t do anything to make the government change its decision. After all, one of the objectives of a pressure group is to influence government’s decisions.
The removal of that very important programme plunges several millions of Nigerians into severer poverty. That’s what the NLC and TUC ought to fight over not the minimum wage.
The unions have not been able to sustain the trust of the masses. In the last one year, what is the achievement of the Joe Ajaero-led NLC? The congress is good at making empty threats, no actions at all. The last protest it held mocked its members because it had no impact at all.
It has called for an indefinite strike now. What will be the result? Interestingly to note, the NLC and TUC in the statement they issued yesterday said that the would embark on the strike partly because of the electricity tarrif.
The inclusion of that electricity tarrif is a bait for the masses. The NLC and TUC are not working for the interest of the poor Nigerians, who are already paying exorbitant prices for erratic power supply. Why are NLC and TUC just reacting to something that took off more than a month ago?
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announced that the consumers on Band A would be paying N225 from N66 per kilowatt. The consumers have started paying, now the unions are awake while it’s negotiating with the federal government over minimum wage.
The plan is to find means of involving the masses and take their support. But discerning Nigerians would understand that the unions couldn’t not retain the trust of the people. If the subsidy removal could stay and new electricity tarrif could kick off, the NLC and TUC are not in any position to help the masses fight for their rights.
In a saner society, civic groups, labour unions and students associations would have led a powerful protest against the trial and error pattern of government of Bola Tinubu. If others fail to do so, the labour unions won’t take it easy. Where are the duo of NLC and TUC?
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