01/05/2026
Government - Labour Relations: The Welfare Of The Nigeria Worker.
By Yamah Abdulateef
As Nigeria workers joins the workers in the world to mark the International workers day, labour unions in Nigeria, the Federal Government, Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress are still not living to their responsibilities as it concerns the Nigeria worker.
What is on the front burners of discussion to an average Nigerian on the street, is the issue of of minimum wage. Though, wage increase is not bad but, what about those workers who are not on the payroll of the government and their interest is not well protected, especially in the private sector that employs a large percentage of Nigerians.
Walter Rodney wrote a book "How Europe Underdeveloped Africa" but today, it is now "How Nigerians Enslaves Fellow Nigerians". With these, you realise that most aspects of the work force in Nigeria is casual, outsourced(contract) while those not on these two are paid peanuts like the teachers in the private schools.
The biggest challenge the Labour Unions in Nigeria are facing, is no proper direction. To start with, there is rancour in their rank which has polarised the NLC into factions as led by Joe Ajerro. In this case, how can the NLC redirect the focus of the labour Congress towards the welfare of workers rather than self serving.
Today, labour movement in Nigeria is no longer revered because of their anti workers activities. Can the labour unions deny the fact that Nigerians are employed verbally without appointment letter and also fired verbally without any documentation and benefits. Are they not in the know that our standard of working is poor, workers are being enslaved, no benefits and allowances.
When last did we hear the NLC or TUC being categorical and decisive on burning national issues, is it the January 2012 subsidy protest where they chickened out, privatisation of the power sector, corruption in Nigeria and failing industries like the Ajaokuta Steel. One can only hear them(labour unions)after the action had taken place.
Nigeria last witnessed strong labour movement leadership under pa Michael Imoudu, Pa Sumonu, Pascal Bafyau, Adams Oshiomole with Frank Kokori, prof. Jega, Dr.Dipo Fasina and a host of others but as we move on, Nigeria workers are subjected to all forms of human discrimination by both local and foreign companies which transverse through the banking, telecoms, media and manufacturing sectors.
Mean while, who is fighting for the Nigerian worker? It is in light of this that one would conclude that Nigeria workers are suffering and smiling, and now, the NLC is demanding over a hundred thousand minimum wage. Come to think of it, is the minimum wage our priority when the common issues that Nigerians face in their place of work is not addressed. Why haven't they call out Nigeria workers on poor working conditions and prosecute companies that are introducing anti labour laws which had further ensured poor labour management relations.
Where are the labour inspectors that monitors the Nigeria workers in their place of work, they are not in existence because the labour unions have put aside their main responsibilities which is to cater for the well being of Nigeria workers. Another aspect the labour union have let Nigeria workers down is in the area of occupational health safety where the health and safety of Nigerians are not put into cognizance, while death in active service is treated with levity and trivialised. Also, payment of terminal benefits is seen as a privilege instead of a right.
In the light of poor economic policies, the hike in electricity tarriff and arbitrary increase in fuel price leading to high cost of living and inflation. Nigerians have not seen the NLC speak against these annormalies. Yet , workers day is being celebrated. Shameless as the government might be, is it a crime to be a worker in Nigeria. Where are the social benefits beyond salary increase. Is there insurance, HMO and order benefits to make a Nigerian worker proud of the government. These are all missing, while the workers are refuced to mere slaves.
It is obvious that the cost of living indices is on the high, it should not be used as a bargaining chip by the labour unions as a point of negations with government, rather, a wholistic approach be applied to ensure that labour laws as specified by the international labour organization are adhered to,
However, the labour unions should help the government in stimulating the engines of growth so as to strengthen our economic base which is to lure investors to our country who will in turn employ teaming Nigeria youths and also help the Nigeria workers to get the best from their efforts in service to government and humanity.
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