The Federal Government has dismissed threat by United Labour Congress (ULC) to proceed on indefinite strike on Friday (today), noting that the group is not a recognized Labour Union and cannot represent or mobilize workers for any form of industrial action.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige stated this on Thursday in Abuja while reacting to the ultimatum issued by ULC.
According to him;
“Our immediate reaction is to remind the promoters of this Association that they are not yet a Federal Government recognized Federation of Trade Unions and hence cannot speak on behalf of any Trade union. The Trade Union Act. CAP T14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004, is explicitly clear on how a group of Trade Unions can coalesce to form a Federation of Trade Unions.
Section 35(1)(b) states inter alia “A Federation of Trade Unions may be registered by the Registrar if it is made up of 12 or more Trade Unions none of which shall have been a member of another registered Federation of the Trade Unions. Promoters of ULC should fulfill this requirement to qualify to be registered."
THE Minister stated that “to call out workers on essential services for a national strike without any major trade dispute with their direct employers will be tantamount to blatant violation of our extant labour laws and International standards."
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Government will not fold her hands and allow any group of persons take the law into their hands. That is by brazenly threatening to commit Economic Sabotage by shutting down essential services in the Oil and Gas, Power, and Aviation Sectors as threatened by the promoters of ULC. Members of the Trade Unions who are sympathetic to the ULC mentioned are advised to go about their duties in the interest of a peaceful industrial relations environment and for the good of our national economy”.
Recall that the Joe Ajaero led ULC had vowed to shutdown the country on Friday if the Federal government failed to accede to the demands which he listed to include urgent review of the Privatization of the power sector, immediate payment of salary arrears of all workers at all levels, and immediate release of the Registration certificate of ULC among others.
