Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has maintained that his union has the authority to negotiate independently with the Federal Government on workers’ welfare, rejecting claims that it must always act jointly with the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Ajaero stated this on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief’, following a disagreement with TUC President Festus Osifo over the participation of both labour centres in negotiations with the government.

The dispute comes amid discussions surrounding the Federal Government’s approval of a N70,000 transport allowance for workers across all levels for six months.

Ajaero argued that while the TUC could participate alongside the NLC, it could not independently negotiate on behalf of workers under what he described as the International Labour Organisation’s principle of recognising the organisation representing the majority of workers.

“TUC can negotiate along with NLC but NLC can negotiate alone based on the principle of most workers representatives of the ILO,” he said.

He further claimed that the TUC had previously submitted its proposals independently ahead of an ILO conference, but the submission was returned and had to be processed through the NLC.

The NLC president also dismissed suggestions that the Ministry of Labour or other government labour authorities would negotiate separately with the TUC.

Responding to Osifo’s claim that the TUC represents a significant number of federal civil servants, Ajaero cited the Trade Union Amendment Act 2005 and Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees workers the right to belong to organisations of their choice.

He maintained that union membership was voluntary and that workers had the freedom to decide which labour organisation to join.

Ajaero also questioned the TUC’s representation in the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, claiming that only one of the eight union bodies in the council was affiliated with the TUC, while the remaining seven belonged to the NLC.

He added that the TUC-affiliated union had submitted its authority to the joint council.

On the N70,000 transport allowance, Ajaero explained that the agreement followed an ultimatum issued to the Federal Government by the NLC.

He said the government requested four days to meet with labour leaders before negotiations resumed, during which the transport allowance proposal was discussed and agreed upon.

The NLC president also stated that demands for a minimum wage adjustment required the establishment of a government negotiation committee and consultations involving labour representatives, government officials and employers.