NLC no longer relevant to the masses, they are sell outs – Comrade Iche
By Naomisophyblog
Nigerian Labour Congress(NLC) has been the last hope of the masses for many years, due to how swift they swing into action when there is a national issue that needs urgent dialogue with the government. These issues are usually created by wrong governmental policies taken without much considerations as to its adverse effect on the masses.
NLC as a figure that represents the Civil servants, traders, artisans and so on is seen as an umbrella that shields the populace on rainy and sunny days. Before now, NLC as a body had very significant relevance like in the days of Oshiomhole and the rest leaders from previous years.
Certain decisions taken by the government involves engaging NLC who stands as the representative of the masses and will only agree with certain decisions after weighing its pros and cons before actualisation.
NLC must be informed and conversed with in agreement before putting these policies into action, they stand as part of government policy makers. Before petroleum prices increases, they will be part of the process to know if its going to cause an outcry or not as Labour is seen to be a stake holder in the government.
We see this positive effects when Labour was independent but now the government has taken over its independence as they have become sell outs, never taking action on time and never reaching a resolve as seen in recent scenarios. They have been bought over by the government, a reason they delay an action even when there is an outcry from the masses. Labour has sold themselves out to the govt that’s why the govt doesn’t regard their decisons any longer.
The question is,
Who’s interest is Nigerian Labour Congress representing? Are they for the masses or they are simply representing self interest?
Unattended issues in the country raises suspicions as to whom NLC is serving, Who then should the masses run to when there is challenges unresolved? It is very disappointing to know that the masses do not have a mouthpiece to reckon with. The entire populace depends solely on NLC as they are the father of the daily workers, businessmen, artisans and so on yet have shifted loyalty to the government rather than the people.
Labour was formerly regarded with high esteem but we can’t say same as NLC has proven to be inefficient in handling the concerns of the masses in recent times, the govt takes decision without labour while before now several matters of concern in the country had Labour dialoging for solution. When the issue of increase in fuel price overwhelmed the populace, the govt would shift blame to marketers and the marketers will In turn apportion blames to the importers, the importers will Inturn accuse the crude oil price regulators, at that point the masses do not know what to believe, a situation whereby Labour should dialogue with the govt to ascertain where the issue lies and create a resolve.
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Labour appears to be handicapped in making effective dialogue with the govt. Hence, Labour needs to defend the keen observance of the populace to counter where their loyalty truly lies. When ASUU strike happened, Labour could have stepped in if they hadn’t sold themselves out cheaply to the govt. Recently, there was an audacious increment in fuel prices, they threatened to go on strike but govt disregarded it because they have sold their integrity for cheap gains , the govt fixes a bent over candidate for NLC leadership so as to manipulate the masses.
We do not expect a candidate chosen by the government to work against it, a reason why even if Labour takes decisions on resolving issues by going on strike, they will usually back out at the last minute with out resolving the issue, suspending the actions without solving the problems simply because they have sold themselves to the govt through receiving take homes.
The issue of the new naira note scarcity which had ensued for 3 whole months, buying money with money is yet unresolved yet Labour backed out on strike at the very last minute, Labour who ought to fight it out with the govt for the sake of the masses kept silent. In order to make us feel Labour is working for our interest, they only issued a statement instead of public broadcast which shows that the kind of NLC we have now can only bark and not bite.
Nigerians have suffered worst times with shortage of naira yet Labour kept quiet, issued a strike notice but call it off without solving the problem. Who are they deceiving? NLC whom we have come to rely on as our advocates have been a sell out. Recent Chair persons of NLC in the last 4yrs should state with facts “At what point have they successfully advocated for the masses? They are all sellouts and Nigerians can never take them seriously, they have failed the masses in resolving bothersome national issues.
Labour leadership should come out and tell Nigerians what they have done to help ease the suffering of the masses by advocating on their behalf to get a solution to naira scarcity. Labour who ought to be the hope of the masses on critical issues are being discussed without carrying Labour along due to the sell outs
Under the watch of NLC, the masses can’t even get money from the bank for critical treatments due to naira scarcity yet claim to be the mouth piece of Nigerians.
NLC leadership has a lot of questions to answer, they are no more relevant due to their sell outs and it’s a call for concern.
Comrade Prince Saviour Iche, President of AMPEF, a foundation created to stand as the voice of the voiceless related this report with Naomisophyblog on Thursday March 30, 2023.
