Shop and Distributive Trade Senior Staff Association (SHOPDIS) and UNI Global have accused employers of violating the nation’s labour laws. The groups accused some employers of threatening to sack workers if they opted to join unions.

The two groups made the allegations during a four-day campaign/engagement with companies on unionisation, where they urged employers in their sector to allow unionism, saying that the organised labour was ready to checkmate violators.

President of SHOPDIS, Azeez Ajibola, said they had the backing of the umbrella body, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), with the support from an international organisation, UNI Global, to address the challenges associated with unionisation. He urged companies that are yet to comply to do so or face the union’s wrath.

“We have come to terms with the reality that the majority of the companies don’t want their workers to join unions while some have allowed their staff to unionise. Others at the point of entrance warned their staff against joining any trade union of their choice.

“We have been on this for some years. We have reported to the higher authorities. We have engaged the Human Resources (HR) of some of these companies and also enlightened them on the benefits. We believe that it is something we need to address in the sector. We have gotten positive responses from some, while some are not cooperating. The truth is that we will not relent until we achieve our goals. And this is going to be addressed with the support from UNI Global,” he said.

He, however, called for a review of the Nigerian labour laws to ensure that all workers, regardless of their employment status, are afforded basic rights such as fair wages, job security, and access to social protection.

SHOPDIS Acting General Secretary, Olanrewaju Ganiyu, said casualisation was a major challenge in the sector. He stated that the casualisation of workers has emerged as a significant social issue and a detrimental factor in labour relations across various industries in developing countries, especially in Nigeria.

However, he said efforts have been made by the union to train and raise awareness among workers about their rights, empowering them to organise and demand better conditions.