... says proposed strike not in masses' interest
By Prisca Nguzo
Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Imo State branch, Rev Eches Divine Eches has urged the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC to reconsider its stance of embarking on nationwide industrial action starting from today.
Eches who made the appeal in a statement issued in Owerri, yesterday, said the proposed strike will further cripple the nation's economy and aggravate the sufferings of the masses.
He opined that the demand by the Labour union for the state government to pay a minimum wage of ₦494,000 will not be feasible and unenforceable as the country is still crumpling with some economic challenges.
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He said, "Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, is from my state, Imo. Can Mr. Ajaero honestly say that Imo State or any other State Government in South East can pay a minimum wage of ₦494,000 without collapsing?
"Even the Organised Private Sector cannot pay that amount and has publicly aligned with the government to say let's start somewhere and grow steadily.
"Does Joe Ajaero want to collapse the Nigerian economy? If not, why is he making impossible demands? Even his friends that we know that owned business cannot and have never paid any of their staff ₦400,000.
"Does Mr. Ajaero want the Federal Government to push for a new minimum wage law that is unenforceable by all tiers of government and the organised private sector?
"He wants the minimum wage to increase by 1500%. Has Nigeria's revenue expanded by 1500%? Does he want us to suffer Venezuelan and Zimbabwean style of hyperinflation?"
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The Imo CAN boss who is also the Chairman, TEKAN/ECW Fellowship (Bloc)South East further further quarried, "What will a national strike achieve if not national strife? Mr. Ajaero has called more strikes than the last four Presidents of the Nigerian Labour Congress combined.
"Something is wrong somewhere. If we are fighting for workers, let us fight with love for country and mature reasoning. Any wrong fight could sabotage the economy and make things worse for the workers and nation as a whole.
"I therefore wish to appeal to NLC leadership and the Federal Government to return to dialogue with an open and honest mind to avert any damage to our already fragile economy."
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