How Tinubu’s Government Failed To Prepare For the Labour (EDITORIAL)
President Bola Tinubu could have nipped the current nationwide indefinite strike of the labour in the bud. In fact, the industrial action could have become unnecessary if the federal government along with the presidency had done the needful and prepared adequately.
There have been a series of meeting of the tripartite committee set up to come up with a new minimum wage. The labour expected to have the new wage on the May day, but it’s disappointment as it often happens.
The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress then decided to embark on strike, one of the methods of the pressure groups to achieve their objectives. They call the current strike indefinite. It should be noted that the labours are not fighting over a new minimum wage alone. Among others, they are asking he federal government to reverse the hike on the electricity tarrif.
President Bola Tinubu had on 29 May, 2023 announced the removal of subsidy on petroleum. His supporters in the All Progressives Congress (APC) applauded his decision as well as top Nigerians who are rather unsympathetic to the plights of the common Nigerians, who are still struggling to make ends meet.
That removal of subsidy is the genesis of the current lockjam. The Tinubu’s government failed to carry Nigerians along, he didn’t seek the opinions of the people. He just decided to do away with the programme that helped to lower the pump price.
Granted that the subsidy is gone as he said, the president ought to have prepared for its consequences as a matter of fact. He didn’t just think about the removal that day: he must have thought about it for long.
Why didn’t he prepare for the labour as well? The subsidy was removed a year ago. A new minimum wage should have been given to the labour as well. The removal of subsidy actually influences the hyperinflation Nigerians face today. The labours need wage that is in tandem with the current economic realities which the present administration has plunged the country into.
The government also allowed the new electricity tarrif. The NERC (Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission) moved the tarrif from N66 to as high as N225. That’s more than 300 percent. The labour unions are right to ask for 300% increment of their wages.
Furthermore, did the Tinubu’s government prepare for aftermaths of the new electricity tarrif? How does the government expect the masses, the workers cope with the poor economy of the country? If the government can’t hesitate to remove subsidy, increase electricity tarrif and increase taxes, it shouldn’t drag its feet to bring an acceptable minimum wage.
From all indications, President Bola Tinubu didn’t prepare for the labour.
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