The Ministry of Labour and Employment has cautioned the Joe Ajaero-led Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) against interfering in the activities of the Labour Party (LP) and other political parties, as this contravenes the Act that established the unions.
The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, wrote to the Ministry of Labour and Employment on July 10, 2024, to define the NLC’s roles. In a letter dated 31 July, the Ministry’s Department of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations clearly explained the NLC and TUC’s roles in political activities.
Recall that the NLC had recently attempted to hijack the Labour Party’s structures through a failed effort to break into the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Also, the NLC National Transition Committee (NTC) has continued to interfere in the activities of the Labour Party to the extent that it refuses to recognise the Party’s Chairman, Abure, and continuously issues counter directives to the party members.
But a letter signed by the Director/Registrar of Trade Unions Falonipe Amos on behalf of the Minister of State Labour and Employment referred to Section 15 (1) (2) (3) of the Trade Unions Act Cap T14 & T15 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 which states that Trade Union dues not to be applied for political purposes unless the rules of trade union otherwise provide, in so far as the funds of a trade union represent payments which the members are required to make under the rules, whether, by way of subscriptions, dues or otherwise, those funds shall not be applied (whether directly, or through any other union, association or body, or in any other indirect manner) to the furtherance of any political objective.
“If any of the funds of a trade union are applied to the furtherance of political objective in contravention of subsection (1) of this section, the trade union and every official thereof shall be guilty of an offence under this Act”, the letter said.
The Ministry also reminded the NLC and the TUC that the political objective for this section is the Payment of any expenses incurred (whether directly or indirectly) by a candidate or prospective candidate for election to any political office in Nigeria or any part of Nigeria, being expenses incurred before, during, or after the election in connection with his candidature or election.
Others hold meetings, distribute literature or documents supporting any such candidate or prospective candidate, and maintain any person. At the same time, he holds a political office in Nigeria or any part of Nigeria to which he has been elected and the registration of electors in Nigeria or any part thereof.
And the holding of a political meeting of any kind or the distribution of political literature or political documents of any type unless the primary purpose of the meeting or distribution is to further the regulation of the terms and conditions of the employment of workers.
“I wish to urge the leadership of NLC to be guided by the above provisions of the Trade Unions Act in dealing with the Labour Party and any other political parties”, the letter concluded.
