LABOUR UNION OR TROUBLE UNION?

 

Civil society and labour organizations are a necessity in both developed and especially developing countries - presenting the people's will before government, speaking on the people's behalf in policy formation and fighting for the people's interest (when the need arises) - being major instruments for the growth and development of the people and polity. Summarily, organized labour are primarily meant to be problem solvers, as much as possible (bearing in mind that the grass - people - always suffer when 'two elephants' fight), unfortunately, the Nigerian labour Union seems to bring more problem to Nigerians than prospects... I'll give you two reasons for my position;

In January 2012, when an over 100% increase in fuel prices - from 65 to 138 Naira - soured the dawn of the new year for many Nigerians, Labour Union, as usual, got us to close our shops and businesses for close to two weeks, insisting that the price MUST return to 65 Naira... Initially the struggle looked real and some even gave their lives for it. Unfortunately, the same Labour Union went into a 'closed door' meeting and (in my opinion) sold out to the government in a compromise that fuel should sell for 87 Naira. If you ask me, there was no room for compromise, and had our Labour Union insisted on our collective demand, who know...?

Again, on the 11th, Channels reported that the FG had decided another increase in fuel prices, after a meeting with Labour Union -  NLC, TUC, NUPENG and PENGASSAN. Here is the link, incase you missed the news... 

FG Puts New Price Band Of Petrol At 145 Naira

http://www.channelstv.com/?p=196849 

Less than four days after the meeting where this increase was collectively decided, NLC (our trouble maker) has issued the FG ultimatum to return fuel price to #86.50, and have instructed (as usual) Nigerians to close up our businesses and shops from tomorrow, May 16, if the FG doesn't bulge (it is very likely that we will do as our 'big brother' has instructed, like the obedient Nigerians that we are and also very likely that some others will also lose their lives, and in the end maybe we can reach a compromise of #100)

But my worry is; did the NLC representative at the meeting chaired by Prof Osinbajo step out of the room when the decision for subsidy removal and fuel price hike was reach on Wednesday? I hope I also don't get the 'major carried the vote' excuse, because NLC would have issued a position paper stating its reservation for the decision, so the world knows where it stands...

I think NLC should always take a position and stick with it, because as far as experience has shown, it (NLC) seems blown by 'every wind of opinion' from within and without... Unfortunately, we will always follow wherever it's leads, regardless of the consequences for ourselves and posterity...

We mustn't proceed on every Labour Union strike action you know? Some of them may be politically instigated and self-imposed. Hope we can make choices that would help us consolidate and not tear down our little gains... 

LET'S ACT WISELY!!!