The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has refuted claims by the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, who recently criticised labour unions and accused their leaders of failing workers and compromising their responsibilities for personal ambitions.
In his latest book, Nigeria: Past and Future, Obasanjo expressed concerns that union leaders had become obstacles rather than advocates for workers’ rights, implying that they had contributed to the inadequate wages and poor working conditions Nigerian workers endure.
However, in a statement issued by its president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NLC acknowledged Obasanjo’s recognition of the plight of Nigerian workers but strongly disagreed with his assertion that union leaders were to blame.
Ajaero refuted his claims and defended labour’s stance on wage negotiations, stating that the real culprits in denying workers a fair wage were the government and employers, not the unions.
The labour leader explained that the demand for a minimum wage of N610,000 was based on a comprehensive breakdown of workers’ needs.
Ajaero, however, noted that the government and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) countered with an offer of N50,000 without any justification for how that amount would meet workers’ necessities.
LEADERSHIP reported last year how the minimum wage negotiations led to a nationwide strike, which was suspended when President Bola Tinubu intervened and proposed N70,000, a marginal increase over the Minimum Wage Committee’s recommendation.
Ajaero dismissed Obasanjo’s suggestion that workers had become victims of their union leaders.
While acknowledging that harmful elements exist in every organisation, he insisted that union leaders have consistently fought for workers’ rights despite government intimidation.
“We are delighted to have an ally in a personality as distinguished as our former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. In his latest book, Nigeria: Past and Future, he rehashed our argument when he wrote that the minimum wage does not even cover transportation costs for some workers, let alone food, housing, and family upkeep,” Ajaero stated.
“Of course, we agree with Chief Obasanjo that: “Workers need more attention than they are getting. It is their right, and they have been denied it for too long.
However, it is essential to point out that malevolent governments and predatory employers, not union leaders, deny workers these rights,” he added.
He continued, “Our struggles with the government have been public, from court injunctions to harassment by the police and even brutalisation of our leadership.
Do you still arrest or beat up people after paying them to keep quiet? There is something amiss here”.
Ajaero also challenged Obasanjo to provide evidence of union leaders betraying workers instead of making blanket accusations.
Regarding Obasanjo’s outrage over a trade union leader allegedly negotiating a gubernatorial ticket while in office, Ajaero emphasised that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees every Nigerian, including union leaders, the right to political participation.
The Labour leader pointed out that three state governors had emerged from labour unions, the first of whom was elected during Obasanjo’s presidency.
The NLC president questioned Obasanjo’s lamentation that today’s union leaders are weaker than the movement’s founding fathers.
He reminded the former president that his administration had played a significant role in suppressing labour movements.
Ajaero argued that Obasanjo’s past actions made his current criticism of union leaders hypocritical.
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