What are the roles, responsibilities and duties of Nigeria labour congress NLC.
In this article I will like to explain what are the functions, roles and responsibilities of Nigeria labour congress NLC
Roles and duties of Nigeria labour congress NLC
The Duties of Nigeria labour congress NLC is to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities for all Nigerian workers.
Roles and duties of Nigeria ministry of justice
Establishment of Nigeria labour congress NLC
Nigeria Labour Congress [NLC] was formally constituted as the only national federation of trade unions in the country in 1978. Before then, four labour centres existed.
These are
1 Nigeria Trade Union Congress [NTUC],
2 Labour Unity Front [LUF]
3 United Labour Congress [ULC]
4 Nigeria Workers Council [NWC].
The emergence of the NLC ended decades of rivalry and rancour involving the four centres and unions affiliated to them. The unions, numbering over 1,000 were also restructured into 42 industrial unions.
The organisation has had a chequered history, surviving two instances of dissolution of its national organs and consequent appointment of state administrators. The first was in 1988 under the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. Congress’ opposition to the anti-people Structural Adjustment Programme incensed the military administration to take over the NLC.
The second military intervention was in 1994 during the regime of General Sani Abacha, whose government also became fed up with the labour movement’s agitation for the restoration of democracy. Like the initial case, the military government dissolved NLC’s National Executive Council and appointed a Sole Administrator. The same treatment was meted to the two unions in the oil and gas industry; National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers [NUPENG] and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria [PENGASSAN]. However, the administrators apparently added a further brief they plundered the finances of Congress and the two unions.
The dissolution exemplified the travails of Congress, its leadership, affiliates and state councils, under military rule. Arbitration, prolonged and unlawful detention of labour leaders, invasion and disruption of union meetings, seminars and other activities of Congress and its components by security forces and a vicious anti-labour campaign by the state generally marked the period. The military also invoked its legislative prerogatives to unleash all manner of legislation to check the activities of unions. For instance, under General Abacha, a decree that banned a section of the movement from holding leadership position in Congress came into effect.
However, with the death of General Abacha, the unions reclaimed Congress, culminating in a National Delegates Conference held on January 29, 1999. The leadership led the NLC from 1999 – February 2007 headed by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Abdulwahed Ibrahim Omar became the President of NLC from February, 2007- 2011.
On March 1-3 2011, the Nigeria Labour Congress held its 10th National Delegates’ Conference at a decisive moment in the life of our great country and the annals of human kind with the theme: Building A New Nigeria: The Role of the Working Class Towards National Transformation
Consequent upon the successful conduct of the 10th Delegates’ Conference of the Congress, the following National Officers were elected in a most transparent election as members of the National Administrative Council (NAC) of the Congress
Responsibilities of Nigeria labour congress NLC
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) gives an equal voice to Nigerian workers, employers and governments
Function of Nigeria labour congress NLC
The fundamental functions of NLC Congress are to protect, defend, and promote the rights, well being and the interests of all Nigeria workers, Nigeria pensioners, All trade unions and the working class in general
It also promote and defend a Nigerian nation that would be just, democratic,
transparent and prosperous through the attainment of the following objectives:
To continually enhance the quality of life and improve the income and othe rworking conditions of Nigeria workers
To establish relationship and cooperation with Labour Movements the world over and in particular the African region, and play cardinal roles in the
Duties of Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU), and Organization of Trade Unions in West Africa (OTUWA)
To promote and sustain the unity of Nigerian Trade Unions and ensure total unionization of all workers irrespective of their creed, state of origin, gender and political beliefs
To promote the existence of one trade union and or one federation of trade unions in every industry; including the emergence of one central labour organization in Nigeria
To continually strive towards the attainment of gender equity and improvements in the status and conditions of women in the world of work and society
To work for the industrialization and prosperity of the Nigerian nation and ensure protection of jobs, full employment and a humane working environment
To continually struggle to influence public and corporate policies and legislation on all issues at all levels, in the interest of workers, disadvantaged social groups and trade unions
To cooperate with other organizations with whom the trade unions share common and or specific interests for the attainment of these objectives.
To promote and sustain positive industrial relations practice in Nigeria by strengthening collective bargaining in all sectors of the economy and internalizing appropriate work culture among workers
To promote, defend and advance the economic, political and social rights and wellbeing of Nigerian workers and pensioners
To ensure a viable financial base for the Congress by engaging in profitable business ventures, wholly or jointly owned with other establishments; including the right to own property, mortgage and disposal of same for the purpose of the attainment of Congress’ aims and objectives.
To print and publish literature for the purpose of enhancing and achieving the aims and objectives of Congress and its affiliates.
Leaders of Nigeria labour congress NLC
Leader of Nigeria labour congress NLC From 1978 to date
Wahab Goodluck from 1978 to 1979
Hassan Sunmonu from 1979 to 1984
Ali Chiroma From 1984 to 1988
Pascal Bafyau from 1984 to 1994
Post vacant From 1994 to 1999
Adams Oshiomhole From 1999 to 2007
Abdulwaheed Omar From 2007 to 2015
Ayuba Wabba From 2015 to 2023
Joe Ajaero from 2023 to date
List of General Secretaries of Nigeria labour congress NLC
Aliyu Dangiwa From 1978 to 1986
Lasisi Osunde from 1986 to 1992
Post vacant From 1992 to 2001
John Odah From 2001 to 2014
Peter Ozo-Eson From 2014 to 2019
Emmanuel Ugboaja From 2019 to date
