The Nigerian Labour Congress has petitioned the governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, over the state’s government’s move to take over the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state, Vanguard reports.
MUK TV learned that the Abia state government had, in a letter dated June 20, 2023, referenced in SSG/ABS/S.139/VOL.XLII/19 and signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SGG), Professor Kenneth Kalu, written to the President of the NURTW, requesting to be allowed to appoint leaders of the NURTW in the state.
The following persons who the SSG specifically requested to be appointed included Mr. Chukwuma Anazodo, Chairman; Mr. Chika Arthur, Deputy Chairman; Mr. Tochi Ephraim, Treasurer; Mr. Azubuike Victor, Financial Secretary; and Anyanwu Ogaraku, Organising Secretary.
Others were Ogbuagu Ukadike, who was appointed a member of the executive; Mr. Eze Okwulehie, a trustee; Mr. Alozia Onuoha, a member; Nwankudu Onyedikachi, a member; and Chimauche Okorie, a member.
However, reacting to such an anti-union move, the NLC, in a petition by its National President, Joe Ajaero, expressed disappointment that a government elected under a Labour Party platform would go against the tenets of industrial relations and unionism.
He said, “Our first reaction to the letter when it was reported to us by the NURTW was that it was a phony, but we were reassured by previous discussions with your government on the subject matter.
“We could not imagine that a government elected under the banner of the Labour Party could have written such a letter that stands the major pillars of industrial relations and trade unionism on their heads.
“These pillars include the inviolability of the independence of trade unions as guaranteed by Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Section 9 of the Trade Union Act, and Article 3 of Convention 87 of the International Labour Organization, ILO, which Nigeria ratified a few days after independence.
“Article 3 of Convention 87 of the ILO states that workers’ and employers’ organizations shall have the right to draw up their constitutions and rules, to elect their representatives in full freedom, to organize their administration and activities, and to formulate their programs. The public authorities shall refrain from any interference that would restrict this right or impede its lawful exercise.
“It is important to point out to Your Excellency that ILO Convention 87 is a fundamental convention that is globally considered sacred and inviolable.
“Considering that the letter by the Abia State Government proposing to take over the leadership of the Abia State Council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) is rash, ill-informed, and illegal, we demand the following from the government: the denunciation and immediate withdrawal of the SSG’s letter; a guarantee by the Abia State Government to refrain from interfering in the activities of trade unions in the state; and the use of social dialogue to address any grievance the state government may have against the current leadership of the NURTW in Abia State.”
