THESHIELD Garkuwa
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The leadership of Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA) is deeply concerned with
the joint address and declaration by the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on indefinite strike over the inconclusive meeting with the Federal Government Team on acceptable minimum wage.
In a statement Signed by Esv. Ishaya Idi, fnivs, President KADCCIMA and made available to news men revealed that
While the arguments put forward by NLC and TUC on theirdecision to embark on the indefinite strike are well noted, there is the need to tread with caution on account of negative repercussions on the overall economy.
As a matter of fact,
abandoningnegotiations and shutting
down the country will have untold hardship on all segments of the economy.
This hard stance will also fatally impact on
the survival, resilience, productive capacity and competitive advantage of the more than 39 million-strong MSMEs
ecosystem. These MSMEs significantly contribute to economic stability through job and wealth creation as they account for 48% of Nigeria’s GDP and 84% of employment.
According to SMEDAN and NBS findings, it is instructive to note that 64.5% of micro-enterprises in Nigeria have a monthly turnover of less than N50,000 while 29.4% have an average monthly income of N50,000 to N300,000, and the
remaining have a monthly turnover of between N600,000 and N900,000. This clearly shows that close to 65% of
MSMEs cannot even boast of a monthly turnover equal to N60 000 being proposed by the FGN as minimum wage.
As well, the devastating effect of the prolonged nationwide strike on the MSMEs ecosystem can better be appreciated
vis-à-vis its crucial role in wealth generation, job creation, economic diversification, innovation, social stability and poverty alleviation.
At this critical and trying period, it is equally important to factor in the role and contribution of the agricultural sector and the rural economy with particular reference to food security and its sustainability.
It is trite to argue that a prolonged nationwide strike such as the one being contemplated will seriously dislocate the
domestic food value chain with fatal impact on the rural economy.
The sum total of the negative impact of the envisaged strike on the MSMEs and the rural economy which combined
contribution to the Nation’s GDP is the highest should spur all stakeholders including the Organised Labour into finding possible alternative to the deadlocked negotiations.
In this regard, KADCCIMA hereby strongly appeals to the leadership of NLC and TUC to give the government more time
for further negotiation with a view to arriving at acceptable and reasonable minimum wage along other measures that
will help to cushion the hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians.
We hasten to add that in our considered view, going ahead with an indefinite nationwide strike will definitely stalemate
negotiations between the Government and the Organised Labour and further aggravate already worse situation for the
hapless and down-trodden citizenry.
As a foremost voice of the Organised Private Sector in this part of the Federation, KADCCIMA calls on the Organised
Labour to sheath its sword and go back to the negotiation table.
In the same vein, KADCCIMA calls on the three-tiers of government to take immediate action and implement across
board a cost-cutting regime to drastically curtail the ostentatious lifestyle of the FGN and that of State and Local Governments.
This regime should frown at, condemn, ban and severelypunish any display of an inflated sense of personal importance and substantially reduce the overall cost of governance. Governance should not gulp a large proportion of public expenditure but the citizenry.
In this regard, we want to advise that cost-cutting regime should start immediately with a downward review of emoluments and allowances of Public Office holders, Cabinet Officer and all Parliamentarians.
This regime should also consider a downward review of all perks of office such as official vehicles, foreign trips and attendant estacodes etc.
In addition, Government should do its own part by expediting action on the minimum wage and other palliatives and accompanying measures including downward review of electricity tariff aimed at ordinary Nigerians in order to effectively alleviate the current economic hardship. The downward review of electricity tariff should be by 70%.
Finally, KADCCIMA strongly appeals to both NLC and TUC to reconsider the indefinite nationwide strike in the overall
interest of all Nigerians.
By so doing, the Organised Labour is neither chicken out nor reneging on its mandate. Rather, it will demonstrate uncommon patriotismthat ensures that
the protection of workers interests – which NLC and TUC are out to promote – does not turn into a poisoned chalice by
embracing the peace of the brave with the Government.
