The dispute between the leaders of Nigeria's two main labour centres, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has deepened over the N70,000 monthly wage award for six months approved by the Federal Government. NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo have engaged in a war of words, with Ajaero insisting that the NLC has the authority to negotiate labour matters with the Federal Government independently.
Ajaero cited the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) principle of representation by the most representative workers' organisation, arguing that the NLC can negotiate alone. He stated that while the TUC can negotiate alongside the NLC, it cannot do so independently, and its proposals must be submitted through the NLC. Ajaero also referenced the Trade Union Amendment Act 2005 and Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which he claims give workers the right to choose their unions.
Osifo, however, described the agreement as an aberration, insisting that the TUC was not consulted during the negotiations. He challenged Ajaero to produce any ILO regulation authorising one labour centre to negotiate on behalf of another without consultation. Osifo argued that the existence of separate labour centres means that neither can claim the right to negotiate for the other without its consent.
The dispute has also drawn in three public service trade unions, which disowned a statement issued in the name of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) on October 30. The Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), and Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) accused the council of excluding them from discussions.
The unions aligned with the TUC in rejecting the N70,000 transport intervention, describing it as inadequate amid rising costs of transportation, food, and housing. They also faulted the previous consequential adjustment, alleging that the council applied a flat N40,000 addition across the board instead of a 133 per cent adjustment to the lowest-paid worker, cascaded across the salary structure.
Ajaero said the NLC secured the N70,000 transport allowance after issuing the Federal Government an ultimatum and threatening industrial action. He claimed that the government asked for four days to meet with the NLC, and during the meeting, the transport allowance was agreed upon. Osifo, however, criticised the application of a flat N40,000 consequential adjustment across the public service following the increase in the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000.
The disagreement between the labour leaders reflects a deeper issue of representation and negotiation rights in Nigeria's labour landscape. The NLC and TUC have been at odds over issues of jurisdiction and negotiation rights, with the TUC pushing for a more inclusive approach to labour negotiations.
Key points
- The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) are in dispute over the N70,000 monthly wage award for six months approved by the Federal Government.
- The disagreement centres on issues of representation and negotiation rights, with the NLC insisting on its authority to negotiate independently.
- The dispute has drawn in other public service trade unions, which have rejected the N70,000 transport intervention as inadequate.
