Of Sarkozy’s “minimum service” and France’s “35-hour week”

His reforms, as inconveniencing as they are, portends good for the French economy. Streaming from the constitutionally debateable concept of “minimum service” to the economic bolster in his amenability to a negotiation of an extended work week, France seems to presently be savouring the gains of Mr. Sarkozy’s reforms. One, the polls appreciate his ability to rein in the Unions; two, the workers are reveling in the possibility of more work, more pay and no taxes; three, the economy holds strong in Europe. Mr. Sarkoy seems to be keeping his electoral vows in a “hate to love” manner.

Coming home, I ponder on the vouched-for possibility of a “minimum service during strike” legislation; thus during strikes, as it is a re-occurring feature in the Nigerian economy, workers be only allowed the benefit of registering their grievance by offering minimum service as opposed to a total strike. As such, the NUT would have only had the option of offering minimum service (for example, 5 hours of work as opposed to 9 hours) in the stead of the total paralysis of the public educational sector. NUPENG would also have had to abide by such legislation! While not totally averse to the exercise of the indirect-constitutionally guaranteed right to strike (belong to a Union and express dissent!), such right must be exercised within the context of both the short and long-run national economic progress. Why totally paralyze economic activities within a sector to get gains to bolster the sector! Why kill to revive! I don’t really get this…Only a smart law can curtail this menace called industrial action!

On Mr. Sarkozy’s incentive-driven extended 35-hour work-week…it’s natural to over-work in Nigeria…at least I do a minimum of 60!