With constant agitations bordering on safety in the work environment, cost of living and acceptable salary, the social sector is characteristically an arena for continuous contestations as arriving at acceptable grounds can be frustrating. However, for one, government and labour are considering how industrial harmony could be sustained, COLLINS OLAYINKA writes.

As the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart engage the government on the increasing cost of living triggered by inflation, a planned 50 per cent increment in telecoms tariffs, and rising energy costs, the recent visit of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, to the NLC is seen as an effort to calm frayed nerves.

When the minister will pay a similar visit to the TUC is unknown. Still, there is a signal that the minister decided to start with the territory of a familiar foe first as the NLC has remained more antagonistic to the regulations and policies of the current administration that have pushed more Nigerians into extreme poverty.

Revealing the focus of the meeting, which took place on Wednesday, February 5th, Head of Information and Public Affairs of the NLC, Benson Upah, said the revival of the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) was one of the key areas of discourse.

The Nigerian NLAC, established in 1955, is the highest tripartite body on labour matters. It is responsible for promoting and ensuring the best practices of labour administration in line with international standards as well as recommending to the parliament the ratification of international labour standards.

NLAC’s council members include the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), NLC, and the TUC as well as ministries, departments and agencies with mandates relevant to the world of work and state government representatives.

Another important issue for the NLC was the establishment of statutory boards that protect workers’ interests, including the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

During the visit, aimed at strengthening the relationship between organised labour and the Federal Government, the NLC reiterated its demand for a more constructive and peaceful approach to industrial relations practice, emphasising that the increasing use of force and violence in addressing labour disputes must be discontinued.

Upah said the NLC urged the Minister to work towards ensuring that industrial relations engagements in Nigeria adhere strictly to internationally accepted best practices and respect for social dialogue.

The NLC also raised concerns over the growing hardship facing Nigerian workers, particularly the alarming rise in cases of the working poor and the widespread decent work deficits across various sectors of the economy.

It emphasised the need for immediate policy interventions to address these challenges and guarantee better working conditions, fair wages, and social protections for all workers in Nigeria. Furthermore, it stressed the importance of restoring sanity to the nation’s industrial relations climate by ensuring that all social partners – government, employers, and trade unions – adhere to the established rules of engagement.

The NLC declared that it believes that a fair and transparent labour administration system will create a more stable and productive economy where dialogue and negotiation take precedence over repression and coercion.

On his part, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, has reassured the organised labour of President Tinubu’s commitment to industrial peace and harmony.

Dingyadi stated that his visit was for peace and that he has nursed the idea of it since he assumed office in November last year. He considered the office of the NLC President a major stakeholder in the affairs of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

He expressed his gratitude to NLC leaders and members for the stability, peace, and cooperation that the Tinubu administration has experienced so far in terms of labour issues across the country.

Dingyadi particularly thanked the President of the NLC for the industrial peace maintained so far and appealed to him to continue to show that kind of decorum, so that, ultimately, there would be peace and harmony in the entire labour sector.

The Minister said: “We have never had it so good. I want to thank you and your members for keeping this flag flying. Remember, this is about the second time that we are engaging with you, and our discussions have been smooth, peaceful, and fruitful. I want you to please continue to do the kind of good work that you are doing now.

I want to believe that we have put behind us the era of demonstrations and protests. This administration, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is committed to listening to labour organisations, particularly the NLC because it is only when we do not listen to each other that there will be misunderstandings and crises. We are always ready and willing to listen to you, work together towards solving pending issues, and forestall those likely to come up.”

He reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to a robust relationship between labour and employers, both in the public and private sectors, and commended the NLC for stepping back from their planned protest this week.

“What took place days ago with you that led to the suspension of your planned protest over the telecoms tariff increase is very encouraging. We were open and frank to ourselves, and you were able to appreciate what we were saying and quickly came to terms with it,” the Minister added.

While expressing gratitude to the NLC for the warm reception his team received, Dingyadi reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to peace and stability in the labour sector, to ensure the country’s economic growth and development.

He appealed to all stakeholders in the labour sector to avoid all unnecessary issues leading to industrial disputes and assured that the Federal Government would always find timely solutions to labour problems.

Speaking, the President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, appreciated the Minister’s visit, emphasising that it displayed the Minister’s readiness and commitment to perform the tasks he was appointed for.

Ajaero said: “For a long time now, we have lacked people who have the commitment of Nigeria at their heart; but you have shown today that you are ready to work. From the spirit you have displayed today, I know that we are going to achieve a lot.”

While NLC acknowledged the Minister’s commitment to collaboration and dialogue, it maintained that it would remain vigilant in defending the rights of Nigerian workers and advocating policies that improve their welfare.
It urged the government to translate its assurances into concrete actions leading to sustainable industrial peace and national development.