SAN FRANCISCO, September 15, (THEWILL) – Organised Labour made up of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have called on the Federal Government to ignore the yet to be registered United Labour Congress (UCL), led by Joe Ajaero, insisting that only registered trade unions and federations have the legal right to declare a strike.
The NLC and the TUC, at a joint news conference on Friday in Abuja revealed that none of the existing unions, who are believed to be affiliates of the ULC, have supported the call for strike by the ULC.
Presidents of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and TUC, Bobboi Kaigama asked workers to disregard the strike called by the ULC saying it violates the Labour laws of the country, pointing out that the real intention of the promoters of the ULC was to compel government to register them as the Federation of Trade Unions.
Wabba describe the ULC ultimatum as a mere attention seeking gimmick, adding that they have also resorted to the exercise with intent on blackmail using it as a weapon to obtain registration.
“Despite listing twelve (12) demands in their 11th September press statement, we have no doubt that those behind the ultimatum were only hoping to blackmail the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to register their association as a central labour organisation, as they stated in their demand numbers 9-12,” he said.
“We have no doubt the officials of the Federal Ministry of Labour would deal with the situation as the laws of the country governing labour relations are very clear on the procedure guiding registrations of Trade Unions and trade union centres.
“Against the background of persistent mischief and dragging the names of our two centres to the mud by the promoters of the United Labour Congress, it has become pertinent to once again recall the events leading to their current desperation.
“We had pointed out in our January 18th, 2017 letter to the Honourable Minister of the dangers posed by the activities of these erstwhile colleagues of ours, who rather than accept the decision of Nigerian workers to reject their leadership, are bent on creating anarchy in the industrial relations system in the country, by trying to register these mushroom and member-less Unions.
“In the same letter, we had drawn attention to the fact that under the 2005 amendment to the section 34 of the Principal Act, it was clearly stated that a (new) federation of trade union(s) may be registered if (a) I (b): it is made up of 12 or more trade unions, none of which shall have been a member of another registered federation of trade unions.
“The main promoters of the so-called new federation are individuals from NUEE and NUPENG both are affiliates of the NLC. By the extant law as passed just some years ago, they cannot form another federation.”
On his part, TUC President, Kaigama said the Labour laws of the federation is very clear that un-registered trade unions and federation(s) are prohibited from functioning.
“Our erstwhile colleagues are trying to take advantage of the unstable security and industrial relation situation in the country to increase the tension and give bad name to trade unionism,” he declared.
“Nigerians need to know that they are not a legitimate organisation recognised by the laws of our country. They are largely a collection of individuals who find it difficult to accept the will of Nigerian workers, as very clearly demonstrated during the March 12-13 2015 election that took place at the Eagle Square, Abuja in which they were roundly defeated.
“We wish to state without equivocation that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has acted within the confines of the law by not registering ULC and the phantom Unions they put forward. No unregistered organisations or individuals can hold our dear country to ransom.
“We urge the Federal Ministry of Labour and workers to discountenance the threats of this illegal association. The ministry must be steadfast in upholding the laws governing trade union practice in the country.”
About the Author
