Stories by | Abuja
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described as rash, ill-informed and illegal, a directive of Abia State Secretary to the State Government (SSG), demanding that the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) install some persons as leaders of the union in the state council.
In a letter, titled, ‘Reported Interference by the Abia State Government in the Leadership Structure of the National Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW Abia State Council,’ addressed to the state governor, NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, asked Otti to denounce and withdraw the letter.
Comrade Ajaero queried why a government elected under the banner of Labour Party could issue such a letter in contradiction to the major pillars of industrial relations and trade unionism.
The letter read, “In the said letter, the president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) was advised by the Secretary to the State Government to consider the following persons for various positions in NURTW Abia State: Mr Chukwuma Anazodo, chairman; Mr Chika Arthur, deputy chairman; Mr Tochi Ephraim, treasurer; Mr Azubuike Victor, financial secretary; Comrade Anyanwu Ogaraku, organising secretary; Ogbuagu Ukadike, member; Mr Eze Okwulehie, trustee; Mr Alozia Onuoha, member; Nwankudu Onyedikachi, member and Chimauche Okorie, member.
“Our first reaction to the letter when it was reported to us by the union was that it was a phony but we were reassured by them of previous discussions with your government on the subject matter.
“We could not imagine that a government elected under the banner of Labour Party could have written such a letter that stands the major pillars of industrial relations and trade unionism on their heads.
“These pillars include the inviolability of the independence of trade unions as guaranteed by Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Section 9 of Trade Union Act and Article 3 of Convention 87 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which Nigeria ratified a few days after independence.
“Article 3 of Convention 87 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) states: (1) workers’ and employers’ organisations shall have the right to draw up their constitutions and rules, to elect their representatives in full freedom, to organise their administration and activities and to formulate their programmes. (2) The public authorities shall refrain from any interference which would restrict this right or impede the lawful exercise thereof.
“It is important to point out to Your Excellency that ILO Convention 87 is a fundamental convention which is globally considered sacred and inviolable.
“Considering that the letter by the Abia State government in proposing to take over the leadership of the Abia State council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) is rash, ill-informed and illegal, we demand the following from the Government: the denouncing and immediate withdrawal of the 556’s letter; a guarantee by the Abia State government to refrain from interfering in the activities of trade unions in the state and the use of social dialogue to address any grievance the state government may have against the current leadership of the NURTW in Abia State.”
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