NECA urges FG to avert NLC mass protest

<p>As workers and Nigerians await further directives from organized labour on whether to continue mobilization for the scheduled mass protest on Wednesday, 2nd August 2023, the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has urged the Federal government to take urgent action to avert the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) proposed mass protest.</p>, <p>The Director-General of NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, made the call on Sunday in Abuja, advising organized labour to embrace social dialogue to protect Nigerians from further hardship expected to result from the mass protest, which could lead to the shutdown of economic activities and possibly cause massive financial and job loss.</p>, <p>Oyerinde expressed regret that the relationship between successive Nigerian Governments, Organised Labour (NLC/TUC), and NECA has been challenging, especially between Government and Organized Labour, resulting in incessant conflicts and numerous threats of strikes instead of fostering sustainable enterprise, decent work, and economic growth.</p>, <p>He stated: “Recent events that portend serious danger for the survival of Sustainable Enterprises, Decent Work, National development, and our Industrial Relations System as a whole necessitated this urgent call.</p>, <p>The parlous state of the economy and the recent mobilization for strike and civil action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUCN) is not only worrisome but also calls for urgent action by Government and other stakeholders.</p>, <p>“Social Partners must respect the established Institutions created to adjudicate and arbitrate labour matters in the country. These Institutions include but are not limited to the National Industrial Court (NIC); the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP), etc.</p>, <p>Neglecting these Institutions could potentially compromise our labour and industrial relations system and framework, with grave consequences for the economy.</p>, <p>“It is important for Social Partners to defer to their jurisdictional and op