NLC strike: Rehearsal of a common song?

To say that the industrial action embarked upon by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) is a rehearsal of an old common song may not be far-fetched.

Let us meditate on some of the questions.

Starting from the Nigeria Labour Congress itself, there is the need for self-assessment. There is casualization of staff in many establishments in Nigeria, federal, state and in the private sector, there is discrimination considering tribe, religion, age, sex, qualification/grade of certificate etc not minding the capacity of the staff on the job. How far has NLC solved these problems? Has NLC done their work very well in a country in which  some organisations force their staff to fill a particular form stating that they will not belong to any union, thereby seal their lips to complain. With these they are totally in control of staff.

The opportunistic practice or tendency in which some organisations do not give any letter of appointment to their staff so that they can easily deny the staff in case there is any issue or need or welfare or better treatment from the employer.

What efforts have NLC made to win the trust or confidence of Nigerians. Can NLC tell Nigerians that they have actually convinced Nigerians especially starting from January, 2012 to this time around that they have achieved some convincing or concrete feats in the economic life of Nigerians without any political undertone or bias. Was the fuel subsidy which was the reason for embarking on January, 2012 strike neutrally and objectively addressed to the satisfaction of Nigerians?

The standard of living in Nigeria is very poor. It is yet to improve since the period under review.

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Job creation is nothing to write home about. Recently, Lagos State advertised for less than three (3,000) but teachers applications is presently over 5,000.

Of recent again, some patients wondered  at the high-bill charged patients in a federal government hospital, life seems to be “pay  astronomical medical bill” and live, otherwise you will die. A sector like health is supposed to grant some subsidies.

On unity and national integration; some regions in this country seem to be untouchables or incorrigible. They can fight, maim or carry out any act of destruction and go scot-free. Then the issue will be swept under the carpet with some excuses like “it is politically motivated”. Who are those people that were politically motivated or “religiously motivated” in a country described as a secular state? Must you act for God? Must you use your religion to cause mayhem in the society?

Chiemela N. Agu, chibagaila@gmail.com