NECA urges government to respect ILO C087

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has called on the Federal Government to respect the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention (C) 087, which guarantees freedom of association and protection of the right to organise.

A letter signed by the Director-General of NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde and addressed to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, said it was worrisome that the government, both at the federal and state levels violated the provisions of Convention 087 of the ILO, which guarantees the freedom of association and protection of the rights to organise for workers and employers without interference from government.

He said this followed the recent events by a social partner and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) continued to face different onslaughts by some state governments and their agents, stating that it was a dangerous trend that threatens the country’s industrial relations system, especially, within the comity of nations.

He recalled that the C087 position was also strongly affirmed at the last National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) meeting held at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
He called on Lalong to address the anomaly that could plunge the nation into ridicule by the international community and also cause disruption in the country’s industrial relations practice.

“While we might have ideological differences with organised labour, we, however, align absolutely on the need for government at all levels to respect the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the said Convention, which has been ratified by Nigeria, to maintain a peaceful industrial harmony in the country, the letter stated.