By Victor Ahiuma-Young

UNITED Labour Congress of Nigeria, ULC, has accused the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and its Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, of undermining Nigerian workers’ rights to freedom of association and expressions as enshrined in the constitution and freely guaranteed by natural laws.

This followed a recent joint letter to the Minister of Labour and Employment, by President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba,  and its TUC counterpart, Bobboi Kaigama, entitled: Need to avert anarchy in the industrial relation system in the country: Mushroom/Shell Trade Union.

In a 17-point response to the letter, President of ULC, Mr. Joe Ajaero, said:  “It is truly disheartening that they seek to mouth the beauty of democracy without allowing it the free reign that it deserves among Nigerian workers.

“We wonder what would have happened if you allow individuals with such mentality to assume the leadership of our dear nation. They will proscribe all the opposing political parties while refusing to allow the registration of new ones, insisting on running a one party state to the detriment of democracy.

“Such dictatorial tendencies negate the founding principles of the labour movement, which thus dethrone us from the moral high ground to correct other actors within the democratic space.

“ULC is sorrowful that such comrades will seek to hold Nigerian workers captive under their bondage, denying them every possible right to freely chose platforms that best suits their desires and expectations.

“It goes against our traditions and norms as a labour movement to encourage slavery in any form, either in the workplaces or within the trade unions.