The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised serious concerns over a federal government plan that could reduce the tenure of labour union leaders to just two years. The NLC argues that this move is part of a broader strategy to undermine the strength and independence of labour unions in the country.
In a press briefing held in Abuja, Comrade Benson Upah, the NLC’s head of information and public affairs, criticized the federal government for what he described as an interference in the internal affairs of the unions. Upah was reacting to recent events, including a police raid on the NLC secretariat, which he claimed was part of an orchestrated campaign against the organization.
Upah argued that if the government is set on imposing a two-year limit on the tenure of union leaders, it should apply this standard to all public offices, including the presidency. He warned that such a policy would not only destabilize the unions but also set a dangerous precedent for how public offices are managed.
The NLC has faced increasing scrutiny from the government, including a recent threat from the Registrar of Trade Unions regarding its relationship with the Labour Party. The NLC has condemned this threat, stating that it violates constitutional rights and international labour conventions. Upah argued that these actions are attempts to suppress the NLC’s voice and weaken its influence in the country.
In addition to the tenure issue, the NLC has challenged the police’s justification for their raid on the union’s secretariat. According to Upah, the police’s explanations have been inconsistent and lacking in credibility. The NLC is demanding that the police provide concrete evidence for their actions and has expressed concern about the potential risks posed by the raid. The union has vowed to hold the police accountable for any future incidents.
The NLC’s concerns come at a time when the relationship between the government and various opposition parties, including the Labour Party, has been tense. The NLC believes that the government’s actions are part of a broader campaign to destabilize opposition parties and weaken their ability to challenge the ruling administration.
Upah stressed that the proposed two-year tenure limit is a direct interference in the internal workings of trade unions and a violation of labour laws and International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions. He called on the government to cease its attempts to intimidate the NLC and other unions, warning that such actions could have serious implications for workers’ rights and the overall stability of the labour movement in Nigeria.
The NLC has also demanded that if the government insists on a two-year term for union leaders, it should apply the same rule to all public officials, including the President. This, they argue, would ensure fairness and consistency in how leadership tenures are regulated across different sectors.
The proposed reduction in tenure is seen by the NLC as an attempt to weaken the unions by making it harder for them to maintain consistent leadership and advocate effectively for workers’ rights. By forcing leaders to change frequently, the government could potentially disrupt the unions’ ability to organize and campaign on behalf of their members.
In response to the ongoing tensions, the NLC has called for an end to what it describes as a “hybrid war” against the congress and other unions. The organization is urging the government to respect the principles of labour law and to stop interfering in the affairs of the Labour Party and other opposition groups.
