The Labour Party (LP) has kicked against the nationwide strike announced by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), News About Nigeria reports.
The national publicity secretary of the labour party, Mr Obiora Ifoh, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Monday.
He stated that embarking on a nationwide strike would cause more hardship and suffering for the people of the country.
According to him, it would be better and beneficial for everyone if the union re-negotiates with the government on a new minimum wage rather than embarking on industrial action.
He opined that strike is not an option.
“Our immediate reaction is that organised labour should not throw Nigerians into more hardship.
“Nigerians are already grappling with a lot of challenges, and we do not need to exacerbate the situation.
“I think the demand for N494,000 minimum wage is unrealistic. It is really unrealistic.
“It is a figure that cannot be sustained because it will imply that Nigeria will take all that money it has to pay the civil servants,” he stated.
He also maintained that the labour union should continue to engage the Federal Government on a figure that would be acceptable to both parties.
Ifoh stressed that asking Nigerian workers to stay at home will affect everything, including the cost of living and Nigerians cannot afford that now.
“Negotiation should continue until they get something better,” he added.
According to him, if the Federal Government is not willing to go above N60,000 minimum wage, then the organised labour should work with what is available while it continues to negotiate.
He further stated that the Tinubu-led administration has not gotten it right as it is still trying to test the waters.
