TUC Declares Support For NLC, NUPENG Over Violation Of Workers’ Rights
THE Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has declared its readiness to join the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in protesting the violation of workers’ rights by employers.
TUC President Festus Osifo, who stated this in Abuja in a statement, condemned the persistent anti-labour practices, intimidation, and humiliation of workers within the Dangote Group.
Osifo said the central labour body has also received disturbing reports from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over harassment of workers.
It disclosed that violation of workers’ rights is assuming a worrying dimension as it has received similar reports from some of its other affiliates such as the Chemical and Non-Metallic Products Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (CANMPSSAN) and the Textile, Garment and Tailoring Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (TGTSSAN) that have also raised serious complaints of the denial of workers’ rights to unionize, harassment, and continued assault on the dignity of employees.
“We put it on record that the labour movement will not fold its arms while Dangote and its companies treat Nigerian workers as slaves in their own country. No employer, no matter how wealthy or powerful, will be allowed to trample on the rights and dignity of labour,” Osifo said.
He urged the Federal Government to address PENGASSAN and NUPENG’s complaints fully and stop the harassment of their members without delay.
It is also seeking the recognition of the right of workers to unionise in PENGASSAN, CANMPSSAN, TGTSSAN and NUPENG immediately and unconditionally.
Failure to do these, the government may risk the withdrawal of services by workers.
It added: “Failure to comply will attract total solidarity action from the congress and its affiliates across the federation, as all our affiliates are fully united in this struggle. And let it be known: the TUC stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our sister labour centre, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in this fight to defend our affiliates and the rights of Nigerian workers everywhere.”
TUC declared that the requests and ultimatum are not an appeal to the government, but a final warning.
“An injury to one is an injury to all. Touch PENGASSAN, CANMPSSAN, TGTSSAN and NUPENG — you touch the entire labour movement,” it said.
