Once upon a time, the Nigerian labour movement was the lonely voice in the wilderness, lamenting and protecting the interests of the working class. Labour leaders, the late Michael Imoudu and the once fierce Adams Oshiomhole, were notable voices. Nowadays, Nigerians have missed those dominant voices and earnestly anticipate the return of the glorious days, COLLINS OLAYINKA writes.

As a body, the labour movement recognises that something is amiss within its ranks – the voice of workers is diminishing. Why are workers left to shoulder the burden alone in the workplace? Why are so-called expatriates infiltrating the country, taking the jobs of locals and thriving in collaboration unchallenged? Why is the voice of workers no longer strong enough to influence labour rights? What did Imoudu, Peter Esele and Oshiomhole get right that the current labour leaders are struggling to discover?

To rediscover the lost glory of the movement, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, said labour must unite to protect the interests of the working class.

Ajaero argued that the government has always adopted divide-and-rule tactics to divide and distract the labour movement to resist oppressive policies deemed inimical to the well-being of the working masses.

Speaking in Abuja at the National Delegates Conference and award night of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ajaero said: “We must not therefore allow anything that would make us lose the consciousness of who we are always. Comrades, the struggles we face are immense — from neoliberal economic policies that pauperise workers to the relentless attacks on labour rights. But remember, divided, we beg; united, we demand. The NLC stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the TUC in this struggle. Our unity is not optional; it is a necessity.” He described the conference as a battlefield of ideas and a crucible for the future of the working class, and not just a gathering.

Ajaero stressed that as capitalism mutates under the guise of digital transformation, exploiting workers through precarious jobs, wage theft, and union-busting tactics, labour unions must resist, organise, and fight back.

He maintained that the future of work must be one of dignity, fair wages, and collective power and not one where algorithms replace solidarity. He noted that it is unfortunate that labour is always compelled within the capitalist system to have two classes of people – the oppressed and the oppressor; the bosses and the workers, and the haves and the have-nots.

“Our understanding of this exploitative relationship helps us to know who we are and what we must do to protect ourselves as workers and as trade unions. This understanding strengthens us. It is our place of power. Our place of victory. It tells us that we are a collective and must stay together so that we can work together and unleash the energy that comes from the collective,” the NLC President stated.

Indeed, the two labour centres are fighting existential battles as the government and employers navigate the turbulent economic realities. While Imoudu was justified in fighting for improvement in the Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) and Oshiomhole waged labour wars against incessant increments of the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), the present labour leaders are finding it harder to resist the free-market economy that the successive governments have adopted.

With crude oil prices slowing down and Nigeria’s ability to meet two million barrels per day production as a result of increasing oil theft, the government is confronting a cash inflow drought.

Amid these challenges, Ajaero insisted that both TUC and NLC must find a way to intensify the fight for a living wage, social security, and the total emancipation of the Nigerian worker from the chains of exploitation. He argued that this is the only way the movement can build and sustain the battle against social injustices.

Again, Ajaero recognises the delicate nature of the tasks before the movement when he says: “Our work is not easy, especially in a socio-economic framework like ours. We are condemned not only to fight for workers, but we are also saddled with the responsibility of speaking for the broader society. That is what happens when the ruling elites have ganged up against the workers and masses.”

Whether in or out of government, Ajaero declared that the elite belong to the same ruinous political party, adding, “Do not be deceived, the elites belong to almost one party, so they speak with one voice. The sound of their voices speaks of impoverishment, exploitation and payment of slavish wages.”

The main responsibility, Ajaero noted, is to ensure that the labour movement comes together in their party – the union – and make it very strong and always be ready to protect workers from the abuses and violations that have continued unabated.

While commending the TUC for organising the conference, the NLC chief explained that the confab demonstrates transparency and honesty in ensuring that the trade union traditions of equity and collective ideals and thoughts prevail.

In his welcome remarks, the President of TUC, Festus Osifo, lamented the current economic difficulties in the country. Speaking on the theme of the conference, ‘The future of work- ensuring fair labour practices and economic justice in a digital era’, Osifo attributed the skyrocketing of food items to the devaluation of the naira.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) thinks the socioeconomic realities that lie ahead will put the ingenuity of the labour movement to the test.
The Country Director of ILO to Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Ghana, Vanessa Phala, while commending the TUC, advised the labour centre to brace up for tougher times ahead. She said: “We recognise every effort that you have made in trying to make workers’ lives better in Nigeria. We are also aware that the journey has not been easy, and it is going to be tougher because of the challenges that President Bola Tinubu has shared with us.

“But I want to assure you of the ILO’s support in this journey, that we remain committed to working with you in this journey, to supporting you in whatever ways we can.” She disclosed that the ILO has implemented several interventions together with the TUC.
She added: “We have been behind the TUC in some of the achievements it has recorded, and I am very happy that we were able to negotiate a new minimum wage.”

Phala urged the TUC to ensure faithful implementation of the minimum wage, saying, “I do hope that you will work together with the relevant authorities to make sure that each Nigerian worker does not get paid below the minimum wage.”

In pursuing the interests of the working class, the ILO urged the government of Nigeria and the labour centres to always embrace social dialogue in resolving labour disagreements.

At the occasion, President Tinubu encouraged delegates of affiliates to embrace integrity and transparency in the election of new leaders. The President said his administration remains committed to improving the welfare of Nigerian workers and ensuring fair labour practices amid growing economic challenges.

Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, said there is a need to prioritise fair labour practices, strengthen labour laws, invest in skills development and advance economic justice.

Even with the unfriendly economic realities in the country, President Tinubu acknowledged labour’s right to demand better wages and a conducive working environment for their members. He said labour is integral to his government’s mission to build a Nigeria where every citizen can achieve their full potential.

The President noted that although technology has the power to transform industries, create new opportunities and drive economic growth, it poses risks of diminishing job displacement and widening inequalities.

Calling on stakeholders in the labour sub-sector to work together to mitigate impending job losses, he said: “It is, therefore, our political responsibility to harness the benefits of digital innovation whilst guiding the principles of fairness, equity and justice.