FG sends strong warning to employers over workers’ right to unionism

THE Federal Government weekend in Lagos, sent a strong warning to employers in the habit of denying workers the right to unionism. The government said it would no longer tolerate any breach of section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, among others that allowed workers the freedom of association. 

Speaking through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, at commissioning of the second phase of the Food Union Hotels and Suites in Ojodu, Berger area of Lagos, the government reminded employers that the right to unionism was also guaranteed by the Labour Act, the African Charter and International Labour Organisation, ILO, an organ of the United Nations, insisting that Nigeria’s government did not want to run foul of UN Charter. According to him: ”Unionization is guaranteed by the supreme law of the land, which is the Nigerian constitution. Section 40 allows for freedom of association, even up to unionization and formation of political parties. 

”Unionism is not only for making trouble, it is also to assist employers to speak to workers as a body as against speaking to individual workers in an establishment. ” It is also an avenue or a vehicle, an opportunity for an employer to send down his policy on a one line basis to workers. 

So, unionism should not signify trouble or agitation. It is also for the enrichment of the establishment where Union exists. ”Without employers, you will not have workers and without workers, you will not have employers. So, it is something that is within us to encourage employers to respect the rights of their workers. They must not infringe on these rights.”