The Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU has rejected any attempt by the federal government to use the newly introduced National Industrial Relations Policy to criminalise strike actions or suppress trade union activities in Nigeria.
In a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Ado Kabiru Minjibir, and National Secretary, Martins Egbanubi, JOHESU, expressed deep concern over remarks made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, after a meeting of the executive Council of the Federation last week on July 31.
According to JOHESU, the Minister’s statement runs contrary to the fundamental rights of workers to freedom of association and the right to strike as enshrined in International Labour Organisation, ILO Convention 87, adopted in 1948, to which Nigeria is a signatory.
The health workers’ unions warned that the policy, as presented, appears to target workers and trade union organisations rather than addressing the broader industrial relations framework and upholding internationally recognised standards of engagement.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of labour and employment, mohammed Dingyadi has been defending the newly approved national industrial relations policy, insisting it aims to foster greater industrial harmony across the country.
The Minister stated that it was important to allay the fears of organised labour that the policy was intended to criminalise strike actions.
In a statement on friday, the Minister assured that the new policy would bring numerous benefits to Nigeria, such as improved industrial harmony, enhanced productivity, and ensure the protection of workers’ rights.
Dingyadi said further that the policy is the culmination of over seven years of several engagements of Government, represented by Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, organised labour, represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress, TUC, as well as the Employers, represented by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
