The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have commenced picketing of the Abuja Continental Hotel over alleged anti-labour practices and the management’s refusal to allow some workers to unionise.
The unions accused the hotel management of violating workers’ fundamental rights by allegedly preventing re-engaged and newly employed workers from joining or forming trade unions.
They said the alleged actions contravened the Nigerian Constitution, the Trade Union Act and relevant International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions protecting workers’ rights.
According to a report presented by the labour unions, workers re-engaged after the hotel’s renovation, as well as newly employed staff, had allegedly been prevented from exercising their right to unionise.
The unions specifically cited ILO Conventions C87 and C98, which protect freedom of association and collective bargaining.
The labour bodies also raised concerns over an agreement reached between the hotel management and the affected unions on October 15, 2022.
They said the agreement contained an undertaking that at least 70 per cent of the affected workers would be re-engaged when the hotel reopened.
The unions are demanding that the management honour the agreement and address what they described as unfair labour practices.
Workers and union members participating in the picketing displayed placards bearing messages including: “Unionization of Workers,” “Fair Treatment, Fair Pay,” “Fair Voice,” “No Intimidation,” and “No To Modern Slavery.”
The action comes amid growing concerns by organised labour over alleged violations of workers’ rights and the use of casual employment arrangements to weaken union activities.
The TUC and NLC are demanding the immediate recognition of workers’ rights to organise, fair treatment and remuneration, as well as an end to alleged intimidation of workers seeking to join trade unions.
They are also calling for the implementation of the October 15, 2022 agreement, particularly the provision requiring the re-engagement of at least 70 per cent of workers affected by the hotel’s renovation.
The unions warned that workers must not be denied their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining under the guise of employment conditions.
The picketing is expected to continue until the unions’ concerns are addressed and an agreement is reached with the hotel management.