As the general strike called upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, takes effect, DAILY POST reports that most public and private organisations in Osogbo, Osun State capital, have complied.
A check by our correspondent revealed that though shops and kiosks opened for businesses, gates of public primary and secondary schools were closed.
Also, the gates of public health facilities were under lock as the usual crowd of patients were absent in them.
The labour organisations had declared an indefinite strike starting from Monday, June 3, 2024, following a breakdown in negotiations with the Federal Government over the minimum wage and other issues affecting the workers and the generality of Nigerians.
Private schools in Osogbo however operated as confirmed to DAILY POST by a school proprietress, Florence Ogunsola.
She said, “the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS, gave us the go ahead to open our schools.
“NAPPS gave us the go ahead to operate since there would be no security breach of our operations.”
Also, commercial transporters and operators of popular mini-buses, known as ‘Korope’ could be observed plying different routes.
A resident, Olaitan Taiwo said she was not disturbed by the strike.
“I come from Owode-Ede every day for business in Osogbo.
“I am not a civil servant, so I have to hustle to take care of myself. As far as there is no violence in the town, I will be in my business place as usual,” she said.
Former Osun State Trade Union Congress, TUC, chairman, Adekola Adebowale said the strike was part of activism, stressing that his union would comply with the national directive.
“I believe strike is part of labour activism but it is the last weapon used to present one’s grievances to the government when it turns out to be anti-workers’ welfare.
“Members of the Association of Senior Civil servants of Nigeria shall surely comply with the directive. Thanks.”
Ayodeji Ologun, the Convener of Transparency Accountability Group, TAG, said the strike was long overdue.
He also expressed optimism that the strike would achieve the desired goals.
“I think it is long overdue given the lackadaisical attitude of the government and their lack of readiness to do the needful.
“I hope the strike achieves that which it is set out to and hopefully too that the labour leaders don’t compromise the strike before it even starts,” he declared.
Emmanuel Olowu, the Osun State chairman of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, said minimum wage and inflation in Nigeria would remain a trend without the justiciability of chapter 11 of the Nigerian Constitution.
He said, “It should be noted that the new minimum wage in Nigeria will aggravate inflation due to the government’s failure to include provisions for the informal sector of the country.
“This neglect of the informal sector will consistently lead to inflationary pressures, as living wages for formal workers will drive up commodity prices because those in the formal sector will purchase from those in the informal sector who have been seeing themselves as persons who have not benefited from the wage increment in the country
“It is essential to highlight that while massive food production is crucial, without the justiciability of Chapter II of the constitution, all efforts by the government or labour unions to address these issues of wage increase will inadvertently exacerbate inflation.
“For sustainable economic policies that benefit all Nigerians, the government, labour unions and civil society organizations must prioritize the justiciability of Chapter II of the Nigerian Constitution, ensuring that the fundamental objectives guide policymaking and implementation in Nigeria.”