THE Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has called on the Ministry of Labour and Employment to take decisive and proactive measures in addressing labour-related challenges as the country enters 2025.
The charge was made by TUC National Deputy President, Comrade Tommy Etim-Okon, in an exclusive interview with Nigerian Tribune.
Comrade Etim-Okon emphasised the critical role of the Labour Ministry in fostering industrial peace, ensuring the implementation of agreements, and sustaining economic growth through social dialogue.
According to him: the Ministry’s ability to preempt and address industrial crises will determine whether Nigeria can achieve a strike-free 2025.
“The Ministry of Labour must reinvent itself and take its rightful place as a priority ministry in Nigeria,” Etim-Okon stated. “It is the custodian of industrial relations and the primary driver of fair labour practices. The proactive monitoring of agreements and the prevention of industrial crises are non-negotiable for a thriving economy.
“Mr. President cannot be everywhere. It is up to the Labour Ministry to design and implement a blueprint for maintaining industrial harmony,” Etim-Okon noted.
He stressed that in developed nations, Labour Ministries are among the most influential because of their direct impact on economic stability. Nigeria, he noted, must adopt a similar approach by prioritizing the Ministry’s role in upholding collective bargaining agreements and promoting continuous social dialogue.
The TUC went on to highlight key measures the Ministry of Labour must implement to avoid industrial disputes in 2025. They are: “Strengthening Monitoring Mechanisms. The Ministry’s Department of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations should actively monitor collective bargaining agreements and act swiftly to address potential breaches.
“Proactive engagement with trade unions and employers before agreements lapse can help prevent disputes from escalating into strikes. Continuous dialogue between the government and trade unions should replace unilateral decision-making, fostering mutual understanding and trust.
“Collaboration across Ministries. The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) must be fully involved in labour discussions to ensure financial commitments are met.”
He added: “Nigeria can run an economy without strikes,” Etim-Okon concluded. “It requires commitment, social dialogue, and the political will to prioritize industrial harmony.”
Comrade Etim-Okon also advocated for the speedy passage of the long-overdue Labour Bill, which has been obsolete since 2005. “This bill, combined with the recently validated Industrial Relations Policy, has the potential to reshape labour relations in Nigeria,” he said. “We urge the 10th National Assembly to prioritize this legislation and for the President to assent to it promptly.”
Addressing perceptions of trade unions as antagonistic, the TUC Deputy President clarified that unions are partners in progress, not adversaries of the government. “Social dialogue is the foundation of industrial harmony,” he explained. “We don’t want government to talk to us but to talk with us. A collaborative approach will ensure productivity, economic growth, and the smooth implementation of government policies.”
While the responsibility for industrial peace largely rests with the Ministry of Labour, the TUC urged President Bola Tinubu to support the Ministry in aligning its actions with his administration’s policy direction.
READ ALSO: TUC calls for special forex rate to lower fuel price
