NLC Warns FG: Hands Off Union Leaders’ Tenure!

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, urging it to refrain from interfering in the tenure of union leaders in the country. Benson Upah, the Head of Information for the NLC, made the call during a press conference in Abuja, where he expressed concerns about the government’s alleged plans to impose a two-year tenure limit on labour leaders.

Upah argued that such a move would be a blatant violation of the Labour Law and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions, which guarantee the autonomy of trade unions and their right to self-governance. He emphasized that the government’s interference would undermine the democratic principles of trade unionism and jeopardize the independence of labour movements.

The NLC spokesperson further stated that the proposed tenure limit would disrupt the stability and continuity of union leadership, ultimately affecting the collective bargaining power of workers. He called on the government to respect the constitution and conventions that protect the rights of workers and trade unions, and to focus on addressing the pressing issues affecting Nigerian workers, such as poor wages, insecurity, and unemployment.