Jonathan to labour: Stop punishing Nigerians with strikes

DECEMBER 19, 2014 BY OKECHUKWU NNODIM

President Goodluck Jonathan


President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday cautioned labour unions against punishing Nigerians with “unnecessary industrial actions.”

Specifically, the President wondered why the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers would embark on a nationwide strike over issues involving an oil worker and his employer.

Jonathan, at the commencement of a housing scheme for workers in Abuja, said he believed that labour   needed to explore all avenues for resolving conflicts before embarking on strike.

The President said, “We believe that before declaring an industrial action, all avenues for resolving it must be exploited. We are smiling today because we passed through some painful negotiations. Nothing good comes easy. So, for us to smile, there must be some painful things to pass through.

“If there are issues, let us discuss. This administration means well for everybody. This administration believes that the country belongs to all of us. That I am the President today does not make me feel like I have a stake in Nigeria more than the man working in the garden. We all have equal stake in Nigeria.

“I beg Nigerians to allow me to serve for a period and go and this will not make me more important than any other Nigerian. Therefore, what is painful to the worker is also painful to us. Let us negotiate, let us discuss and make sure we don’t punish our people more by unnecessary industrial actions over issues that can be resolved.”

Jonathan said he always called on labour leaders to work and partner his government for the interest of workers.

He said, “Whenever there is a crisis, it is the workers that suffer. If there is a little problem, we should be able to resolve it peacefully. But when workers now go to the extreme and declare war, it is the workers that suffer the most.

“Nigerian workers in all the states of the federation and local governments are paying more for transport to go to work because of the current strike by oil workers.

“Their children also pay more to go to school. Their wives and relations pay more to go to the market and other places. Who loses more? It is the workers.”
http://www.punchng.com/news/jonathan-to-labour-stop-punishing-nigerians-with-strikes/

Selfish strikes that becomes counter productive

That I am the President today does not make me feel like I have a stake in Nigeria more than the man working in the garden. We all have equal stake in Nigeria.

No that's not true (in all ramifications)

I beg Nigerians to allow me to serve for a period and go and this will not make me more important than any other Nigerian

Lmao


He said, “Whenever there is a crisis, it is the workers that suffer. If there is a little problem, we should be able to resolve it peacefully. But when workers now go to the extreme and declare war, it is the workers that suffer the most.


And you don't give a daamn

If Buhari was president............
There won't be any strikes

.

sandijey:
If Buhari was president............
There won't be any strikes

Na indefinite detention for the the labour leaders be that naw.

Moreover, his brand managers will still defend it.

Everything nw na Beg beg.... Oga Do make u go abeg...
Sai Buhari

chamboy:
Everything nw na Beg beg.... Oga Do make u go abeg...
Sai Buhari

More important than a 'sai Buhari' is how will a Buhari administration manage industrial actions like the recent JOHESU problem? Will he turn a blind eye to them, negotiate with them (and if this is an answer, I would love to know his threshold) or will he jail the labour leaders in question?

It is only when a Buhari talk about issues like this that Nigerian will start appraising how adjusted he is from him military mindset and ready for democracy. This is not 'I will fight kworruption matter'.

Giving mr president another period is to Nigerians to decide. We will set up a committee to look into this.

Ngwakwe:



Na indefinite detention for the the labour leaders be that naw.

Moreover, his brand managers will still defend it.

I actually mean that in a good way. Somethings need to be handled wiv iron hand.

Don't want to ber partisan. But. Democracy defer from military rule

sandijey:



I actually mean that in a good way. Somethings need to be handled wiv iron hand.

Yes Mr President Labour must agree to negogiate still of going on strike.

Can someone pls tell this guy to stop talking? anytimd i see him talking or report that he talks my heart breath very fast for hanger. whatever he says end me up hangry. LET HIM KEEP SHUT NOW OR FOREVER.

...but sir the strikes are manly because u didnt keep to ur own part of an agreement which ur government signed

Aww, trying to sound like he cares. Too late!