Nigerian builders have opposed the planned strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), which has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over the poor state of workers’ welfare and the removal of fuel subsidies.
Builders in Nigeria have lost faith in the NLC, saying that the union’s leaders are more interested in clout-chasing than in pursuing the course of the average worker. The Treasurer of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Ayotunde Philips, said that Nigerians no longer believe in the NLC and its industrial actions and that the compliance to the strike is very low.
Other builders have also spoken out against the strike, saying that it is not the best way to address the challenges facing workers. The President of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, Dr Aliyu Wamakko, said that Nigerians need to be patient and support the government to see what can be done. The President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Nathaniel Atebije, said that negotiation is the best way to go.
An estate surveyor, Alatise Badmus, said that the whole strike idea is clout chasing and no one is taking them seriously. He said that the private sector is a major player in the built environment and he does not think any reasonable firm will close up to join a strike.
The Executive Secretary of the Association of Housing Corporation of Nigeria, Toye Eniola, said that the government should be sincere in fulfilling its promises. He said that people are indifferent to the strike because they know that it would not put any food on their tables.
The NLC has not yet responded to the opposition from builders.