Breaking: Imo State CAN Appeals To NLC To Reconsider Planned-Strike

The Imo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to call off the nationwide strike scheduled to begin on Monday.

Reverend Eches Divine, the CAN chairman, made this appeal during a press briefing in Owerri, expressing concerns that the strike could severely impact the country’s economy. He called on the federal government and the NLC to return to negotiations and consider realistic demands.

Reverend Divine highlighted that Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, is from Imo State, questioning if Ajaero truly believes that Imo State or any other state government in the South East can afford a minimum wage of ₦494,000 without economic collapse. He pointed out that even the organized private sector cannot meet such demands and has supported a gradual and steady increase.

Reverend Divine criticized Ajaero’s push for a 1500 percent wage increase, asking if Nigeria’s revenue had grown by the same margin and warning against the risk of hyperinflation similar to Venezuela and Zimbabwe. He questioned the efficacy of a national strike, suggesting it could lead to national strife rather than solutions.

The CAN chairman noted that Ajaero has called more strikes than the last four NLC Presidents combined, indicating a need for a more reasonable and patriotic approach to labor issues. He urged the NLC leadership and the Federal Government to engage in honest dialogue to prevent further damage to the already fragile economy.