The Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) has hinted at plans to establish its own radio and television stations to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
It called for increased recognition of the broadcast industry’s central role in national development and the labour movement.
The union’s new president, Comrade Emeka Kalu, made this known when the leadership of RATTAWU visited the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) headquarters in Abuja.
Kalu said the launch of RATTAWU Radio and RATTAWU Television was part of the union’s golden age vision aimed at reaffirming the significance of communication workers within the larger labour ecosystem.
The proposed media platforms are also expected to serve as tools for promoting workers’ rights, countering misinformation and strengthening the voice of organised labour.
Kalu also used the opportunity to reiterate RATTAWU’s push for a special media salary structure and better welfare for media workers who, he said, work relentlessly without holidays, weekends or special allowances.
“Without the broadcast industry, nobody would know the struggles of the workers or the progress of governance, we are the ones who tell the world what unions are doing, what governments are not doing and what the people are enduring.
We’re always on duty, during crises, during public holidays, yet no distinct pay structure acknowledges our sacrifices, this is why our golden age must be marked with our own platforms to amplify our voice and those of all Nigerian workers.”
Responding, NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, congratulated Kalu and lauded his calm leadership through a turbulent election process.
However, Ajaero condemned what he described as growing government interference in labour affairs, including attempts by security agencies to disrupt union conferences.
“The trend of police or DSS interpreting union constitutions or interfering in our internal affairs is unacceptable, trade unions are independent bodies protected by international conventions and national law.”
Ajaero encouraged RATTAWU to expand its membership base by unionising workers in private radio and TV stations across the 36 states and Abuja.
He also pledged NLC’s support in realising RATTAWU’s media projects, promising full collaboration in using the new platforms for progressive information dissemination.
The union will celebrate its golden jubilee in 2027.
