The leadership of the Labour Party on Monday called on the Federal Government and the Organised Labour to return to the negotiating table and reach a reasonable offer for the sake of Nigerian workers.
The appeal comes in the wake of the Federal Government’s invitation to the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress through the National Salaries Wages and Income Commission.
Monday’s nationwide strike seemed to have impacted commercial activities across the country as major government parastatals, schools, banking institutions and other businesses were shut down.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, expressed concerns that the masses will no doubt be on the receiving end of the industrial action.
Ifoh also pleaded with the FG to prove they are ready to shift ground for Labour to trust them enough to return to the negotiation table.
He said, “The Labour Party also notes that in just a few hours into the strike, Nigeria has been thrown into darkness, hospitals shut and water pipes drained thereby throwing Nigerians into yet another hardship.
“To remove that suffering from the people, both the government and Labour have to shift ground to have a meeting point. It is our opinion that the FG ought not to have allowed the strike to commence in the first instance. The new minimum wage is due because the reality as of today is that the current minimum wage of N30,000 can’t even take anybody home.
“As to the amount being demanded, it is our sincere opinion that both parties should agree. Each party should shift their position in the spirit of negotiation so we can have something reasonable from both sides. The amount being tabled by the FG can be upped but the Organised Labour must also prune their demands.
“We want to urge both parties to come back to the drawing tables. We particularly appeal to the FG to play the role of the father figure by ensuring that Labour comes back to the table so they can discuss and agree to avert the current suffering that the people are going through.”
