Labour faults plan to split union, dissolves Cross River chapter
From Segun Ayeoyenikan, Abuja
AGAIN, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday took a swipe at the Federal Government's planned decentralisation of its central organ, describing the action as vindictive.
Also, the union dissolved its Cross River State chapter executive, citing its non-participation in the recent strike as reason for the action.
The NLC at the end of its Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held in Abuja called on the Federal Government to exercise caution over the planned decentralisation.
It added that such a move could endanger democracy since it would be bad not to have a civilised opposition like the NLC.
Also yesterday, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) urged the Federal Government to uphold the existing process of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) technical committee, which has begun a review of Labour legislation in the country.
ICFTU, in a letter sent to President Olusegun Obasanjo, noted that a substantive tripartite technical review committee comprising of the ILO, NLC and the government was already in place and should be allowed to mature.
The ICFTU letter to the President read: "We are surprised by the recent move by your government to rush through parliament a bill aimed at amending some parts of the legislation without waiting for the conclusion of the aforementioned ILO Technical committee."
Briefing journalists after the meeting, NLC's President, Adams Oshiomhole, announced the decision of the CWC to dissolve NLC's Cross River State's chapter following its failure to take part in the just concluded strike.
He said the plan by government to decentralise Labour was in bad faith, adding that reviews of laws anywhere in the world are carried out to correct injustices in the society.
According to Oshiomhole, "nobody proposes a law because he or she is angry or in bad temper."
Oshiomhole stated that "if the intention of government is to keep labour unions in check with the planned bill, the effect in the long run will be in the negative."
He added: "What it portends for government is that henceforth, Nigeria will be regarded as a closed society in the international community."
Obasanjo, during the last edition of the monthly presidential media chat, confirmed his government's plan to reform Labour's central organ.
Oshiohmole said the 1999 Nigeria Constitution guaranteed the citizens' freedom of association and speech and that the aims and objectives for which the union was established included both the engagement of governments in the areas of politics, economy, culture, trade and others.
On the Pension Act, the Labour leader said an all stakeholders' meeting would be held next week.
