Ministry of Labour and Employment has urged Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to avoid using trade union dues to fund political objectives.

National Chairman of Labour Party, Julius Abure, had written to the Ministry of Labour and Employment on July 10, 2024 to define the roles of the NLC in the activities of the party.

NLC, led by Joe Ajaero, has been in contention with the leadership of LP over proprietary rights, insisting that it owns the party.

In a letter dated July 31, the Department of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations at the ministry explained the role of NLC and TUC in political activities.

The 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.

According to the registrar, Section 15 spells out that trade union dues should not be applied for political purposes unless the rules of trade union provide otherwise.

The section provides that 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.”

“I wish to urge the leadership of NLC to be guided by the above provisions of the Trade Unions Act in dealing with Labour Party and any other political parties”, the letter concluded.