ITUC-Africa Warns Lagos State To Stop Interfering In Labour Administration

The Lagos State Governor in Southwest Nigeria, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been called upon to as a matter of urgency, order the re-opening of the office of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN.

The call was contained in a letter written by the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation ITUC-Africa.

The letter signed by the General Secretary of the Confederation, Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, said that reports reaching the organisation showed that the “Lagos State Government LASG, has closed down the premises and confiscated the properties of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria for reasons that competent courts in Nigeria have since dismissed.

“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),” he said.

The letter appealed to the Governor to use the instrumentality of his office and goodwill to redress the situation by ensuring that the premises and properties of the RTEAN were returned and their right to unhindered Freedom of Association is respected.

According to the General Secretary, “the ITUC-Africa sees Nigeria as a fledging democracy like other African countries. This reality partly explains why we expect that spaces and means to enjoy civil liberties in the country will be preserved and supported, especially by State Actors.”

“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.

“Mr Governor, while expecting you to respond positively to our request, we extend to you the assurances of our high regard,” Kwasi Adu-Amankwah said.

ITUC-Africa hailed Nigeria as a respected member of the international community saying “its constitution and other national laws, including labour administration laws, are considered progressive and promising in the governance of industrial relations.”

It stressed that 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.

It said; “To the International Labour Organisation (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.”

The letter is titled “Dear Mr Governor, On the issue of the state of Freedom of Association relating to the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN): An urgent call for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the premises of RTEAN and cessation of interference in the administration of the organisation.”

The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation ITUC-Africa is a pan-African trade union organisation representing over 17 million workers grouped in 112 national Centres in 52 of the 54 African countries.

It is headquartered in Lome, Togo with two affiliates in Nigeria, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria RTEAN is an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria TUC.

Mercy Chukwudiebere