ULC disappointedby NLC, TUC over castigation

The United Labour Congress (ULC) says it is disappointed in the actions of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) following the joint letter issued by the duo to the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, seeking to stop the registration of the newly formed association led by Comrade Joe Ajaero, a former factional president of the NLC. The ULC reacted by writing a rejoinder to the ministry describing the letter by NLC and TUC as “‎unfortunate and imperious”.

In a statement made available to DailyTimes, ULC explained that their response is in tandem ‎with “a dubious call couched in some jaundiced understanding of the statutes governing it’s operations within the nation’s Industrial relations sphere.” The union condemned the letter written by its sister organisations (NLC and TUC) describing it as a ploy to deny Nigerian workers, a new platform to express their democratic rights. “We are worried that the Presidents of NLC and TUC who pride themselves as comrades and democrats would descend to this depth to urge the Government not to allow Nigerian workers to freely seek new platforms for democratic expressions as enshrined in our Constitution and freely guaranteed by natural laws”. ‎”‎It goes against our traditions and norms as a labour movement to encourage slavery in any form either in the workplaces or within the trade Unions. That letter by this duo is a strong plea to enslavement within the Industrial Relations space”.

With a specific portion of the letter narrating the establishment of the trade union congress, ULC expressed disappointment in TUC joining forces with NLC in castigating the establishment of ULC. “‎When the TUC sought registration as a labour-centre it should be noted, the same argument that it would cause anarchy within the Industrial Relations space was bandied about by the NLC as blackmail against the Government to ensure that it exercises monopoly of abuse and violation of workers’ rights and privileges in the country. However, it did not work and TUC was rightly registered but rather than cause anarchy, it had the opposite effect”. “‎It is therefore unfortunate that TUC which was a beneficiary of the ILO conventions and the Laws of our land would seek an unholy alliance to deny others the benefit of the same paths they have trodden. This is truly a shame!”

‎”The ULC remains a law abiding entity which is operating within the ambits of the nation’s extant laws governing Industrial Relations.‎ Anybody therefore making frivolous demands on the federal ministry of labour to work against the tenets of the law and the traditions of our engagement as social partners is truly guilty of attempting to sabotage the practice and precepts of Industrial relations in Nigeria. Indeed they are the true anarchist that should be cautioned.” On the issue of planting new trade unions‎ which has an existing union, the ULC explains their position about the subject matter. “It is also important that we state categorically that the ULC is not involved in planting trade unions talk less of the ones that were described as mushroom or shell Unions.”

“We therefore formally use this opportunity to call on any group of workers harbouring such interest and believe we can be of assistance in any form to please approach us for such help.” They also alleged that the ministry of labour and productivity has been breached and the need for an investigation to be carried out on the released list of unions. “We are convinced that the release of the names of trade unions seeking registration even before the birth of the ULC to the authors of the letter seriously compromises the integrity of the Registration process and undermines our confidence in it”. “Some operatives of your ministry may have gone beyond their reach to make it available to them this needs your investigation”.

“We advise the Ministry to aggressively monitor its staff especially those that may be colluding with the NLC and TUC in order to carry out outright sabotage of the determination of the Ministry to carry out its objectives creatively and effectively within the ambits of our various statutes”. “We urge them to patiently follow us as we pursue our certification as the registration process is not a 100 meter dash but a marathon rather than seeking to scuttle it unless they are no longer sure of their arguments. It is this impatience and refusal to adhere to due process that has brought us to where we are today and it is also this insistence on “buruchaga” that would truly result in anarchy within the nation’s industrial relations sphere”.

It will be recalled that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) alerted the federal government over the existence of a new labour union, currently seeking registration as the third labour-centre in the country. Their letter dated January 19, was signed by the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama. Titled: Need to avert anarchy in the industrial relations system in the country: Mushroom/Shell trade unions and addressed to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, the two leaders said they were constrained to bring the issue to the minister’s attention because of the damage the new union could cause to the labour movement.