The Nigeria Labour Congress has rejected the federal government’s new National Industrial Relations Policy, accusing it of being an attempt to criminalise strike actions and weaken trade unions.
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In a statement signed by its president, Joe Ajaero, the NLC described the move as a betrayal of workers’ rights and a violation of both the 1999 Constitution and international labour standards.
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The new policy was announced after the July 31 Federal Executive Council meeting. Ajaero criticised the government’s focus on strikes as its main concern out of the many issues affecting workplaces, saying it reveals an agenda to silence labour voices.
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LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT
The NLC also recalled that during earlier consultations, attempts were made to insert clauses criminalising strikes, but these were rejected by trade unions, employers, and the Labour Ministry.
The statement said: “The right of workers and unions to withdraw their services is fundamental and cannot be taken away. That the government is now celebrating the quiet inclusion of such a dangerous clause in this policy shows how far some officials are willing to go just to control workers.”
It added that any effort to limit the right to strike undermines the rule of law and international agreements Nigeria is part of.
The NLC warned that it will continue to defend workers’ rights and resist any policy aimed at suppressing them.
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