…Says Strike is ” Inalienable, Fundamental Right”
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the Federal government over the decision to adopt the new National Industrial Relations Policy, 2025, aimed at stopping frequent industrial actions, particularly strikes by trade unions, describing it as “very reprehensible.”
In a statement on Saturday, Joe Ajaero, the National President of the NLC, said the policy, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its Thursday meeting, works against the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which recognises workers’ right to withdraw their services as fundamental and Inalienable
According to the NLC President, ” The right of a worker and trade unions to withdraw their services is fundamental and inalienable.
“We are in shock that from a catalogue of hundreds of workplace issues contained in the National Industrial Relations Policy, the Federal Government singled out industrial strikes as its headache.
The NLC described the statement as ” Unfortunate”, adding that ” It exposes the mindset of those who were elected to protect the interests of the ordinary citizen, including workers.”
The Nigeria Labour Congress also decries the penchant to use strong-arm tactics to overturn popular decisions reached through a process of tripartism and social dialogue.
“We recall that there were attempts during the development of the National Industrial Relations Policy for Nigeria to insert certain clauses in the policy that criminalised strike actions.
“The trade unions, the employers and even the representatives of the Federal Ministry of Labour rejected such insertions as anomalous to the 1999 Constitution and the Trade Unions Act, which gives trade unions the power to withdraw their services in line with the law.
“It appears to us that there are personalities in the corridors of power who want to enjoy the fruits of constitutional governance and, at the same time, reject the principles of constitutionality, the rule of law, and respect for international labour standards”
The NLC accused Tinubu’s administration of ” celebrating the clandestine insertion of such a toxic clause in a National Industrial Relations Policy, which, anyway, is inferior to the Constitution and Trade Union Act, reveals the depth of mischief that some people in government can sink just to feed their fantasy on chains and whips.
“While the Nigeria Labour Congress and Organised Labour in Nigeria condemn and reject this new law in industrial relations in Nigeria, we assure Nigerian workers that the leadership of the Congress and the Labour Movement remain watchful on our mandate of protecting the rights, interests and hard-won industrial liberties guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, our labour laws and indeed fundamental international labour standards which Nigeria is signatory to.”
It will be recalled that in a bid to curtail incessant industrial actions by trade unions, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, approved the National Industrial Relations Policy, NIRP, 2025, to check strike actions.
Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, while making the announcement, said, ” This policy is essential for regulating the conduct of the various trade unions within the industrial relations space in the country”
The decision came as medical workers, especially nurses and midwives, as well as medical doctors, embarked on a strike over an unfavourable welfare package
The Minister explained that the new policy would regulate the activities of trade unions.
He said that the National Industrial Relations Policy for the country stems from the need to have a guiding policy document aimed at fostering harmonious industrial relations within the workplace for both employers and employees.
“This is due to frequent industrial actions over the years caused by the lack of a comprehensive national policy. FEC looked at that and came up with approval for this policy, brought up by the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment.
“The policy will ensure a seamless workload, promote social dialogue and tripartite cooperation among government employers and workers, and also align Nigeria’s industrial relations practices with global standards, including those set by the International Labour Organisation, while underscoring the importance of maintaining industrial relations as a national priority that requires immediate and ongoing attention
“The Nigerian Government has previously enacted well-crafted laws to govern the industrial relations landscape between labour and employers, with the Government serving as a regulator.
“However, the implementation fell short/of expectations, as many provisions in the laws are often disregarded by the parties involved, hence the (need for a comprehensive National Policy.”
Ali Pate, the Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister of Social Welfare, while speaking on the strike by the medical workers, had applauded the industrial harmony in the sector for the past two years,
He, however, expressed concerns over the issues raised by the health professional over a recent circular by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, which has since been withdrawn.
“We’re now in the process of negotiating revised allowances transparently,” he said, revealing that active discussions are ongoing with key associations, including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and nurses’ unions.
He assured that some longstanding arrears would be addressed by the Ministry of Finance in due course.
“Not all issues are financial,” Pate added. “We are also resolving establishment matters like the centralization of nurses’ postings. The government is committed to ensuring that health workers are respected and supported.”
Further negotiations with union leaders are scheduled for Thursday, in line with President Tinubu’s directive to maintain constructive engagement for lasting peace.
“The health workers are the lifeblood of the system,” Pate concluded. “Our infrastructure and equipment must go hand in hand with a motivated and supported workforce.”
