The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has urged the Lagos State government to reopen the premises of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in line with the principle of freedom of association.

In a letter to the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Pan-African organization also called for the cessation of interference in the administration of the organization.

The regional trade union which has 17 million workers across 52 out of 54 countries in Africa said having received a report from the Trade Union Congress Nigeria, request that the matter be speedily dispatched so that the activities, operation and administration of the affected trade union are not further undermined.

Both the TUC and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) are affiliates of the ITUC-Africa.

It said it has reports that indicate that the Lagos State Government has closed down the premises and confiscated the properties of RTEAN for reasons that competent courts in Nigeria have since dismissed.

It added: “The report also indicated that the LASG directly and through its proxies and agents have been interfering in the activities, operations and administration of this trade union organisation contrary to extant national laws and provisions of legal and administrative instruments at the West African, African and International levels relating to the enjoyment of Freedom of Association. (FoA).”

It informed that Nigeria is a respected member of the international community whose constitution and other national laws, including labour administration laws, are considered progressive and promising in the governance of industrial relations.

Nigeria is a signatory to the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the country has also ratified the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. At the International Labour Organization (ILO), Nigeria is active and considered a ‘friendly country’. This may explain why it was not difficult for the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Mr Abiodun Richards Adejola, to be elected as the ILO’s Governing Body (GB) Chairperson.

It also noted that Nigeria has ratified Convention 87 (Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize) and Convention 98 (Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining).
ITUC-Africa stressed that it is concerned that the Lagos state government has decided to arbitrarily clamp down on the operations and premises of a legitimate trade union organization, saying:

“This is particularly worrying against the background of the disregard for the rule of law, given that a competent court of the land has ruled that the actions of the LASG are ultra vires and should be reversed.

“The ITUC-Africa is writing to you, Mr Governor, to request that you use the instrumentality of your office and goodwill to redress this situation by ensuring that the premises and properties of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) are returned and their right to unhindered Freedom of Association (FoA) is entirely and manifestly respected.”

It stated that the ITUC-Africa sees Nigeria as a fledging democracy like other African countries which is why it expects that spaces and means to enjoy civil liberties in the country will be preserved and supported, especially by State Actors.

It added: “Therefore, we have remained seized with observing and reporting on developments relating to civil liberties in the country. We shall stay vigilant and continue to pursue legitimate and pragmatic actions in safeguarding the human and labour rights of workers and our members in Nigeria, including this case of RTEAN.”