The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has said trade unions under the Labour Act were on the exclusive legislative list and therefore, allowed to operate without any hindrance.
TUC’s Secretary-General, Mr Nuhu Toro, made the assertion on Wednesday during a staged protest organised by the union at the Lagos State Governor’s office in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
The union had organised its members to present a letter to the state Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to express its grievances.
It had expressed dismay over the state government’s ban of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to operate.
Toro said: “It is important to put the records straight that there is a subsisting court judgement indicating that the Lagos State Government must respect our rights to unionisation and organise.
“This means the right to operate freely, unhindered in the state; it is a constitutional right that must be respected.
“We wrote a letter sometime last week, drawing the attention of the governor because sometimes some of those issues are not brought before the table of the governor. We will keep assuming he knows, and he is not aware.
“So, it is in furtherance to that, that we are in Lagos today to present that letter of demand again to the governor.
“We want to assume that the governor is a gentleman and that is why we are here in few numbers.”
The secretary general said the union’s presentation of the letter was the first stage of its engagement with the governor, hoping that he would invite them for discussions on the way forward.
“We have come in peace, and we expect within the following week that the governor will invite organised labour to have a discussion around ensuring that our rights are guaranteed.
“Also, as the Chief Security Officer of Lagos State, he protects the working people and their families, and ensures that they operate freely in Lagos unhindered, “ Toro said.
In response, an official from the Ministry of Transportation, Mr Olasunkanmi Ojo, who received the letter on behalf of the governor, assured the unions that the issue would be resolved.
“We mobilised on our own part to listen and attend to everybody here because it is good to hear ourselves, so that we can agree on matters that are causing conflict.
“We have heard you; if you have any letter that encapsulates your grievances, I will collect it on behalf of the permanent secretary, who will deliver it to the governor, but please let us just calm down.
“This issue will be resolved; you asked for a commitment that you want to be engaged by the state in matters arising from what has caused this.
“I want to assure you that Lagos State Government, through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, will engage you, “ Ojo said. (NAN)
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