The Chairman, Ahmed, passionately appealed to the outreach team to prioritise the affected correctional facilities, stressing that the health and dignity of inmates must not be neglected. ArticlesRead More
Hot Source
- Hot News
- August 28, 2025
- 1 views
TUC Rejects Bill to Remove Labour from Exclusive Legislative
TUC Rejects Bill to Remove Labour from Exclusive Legislative
•Describes move as anti-worker, retrogressive
•Places state councils on red alert
Sunday Ehigiator
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has strongly rejected the proposed amendment seeking to remove labour matters from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List, describing the move as “anti-worker, retrogressive, and a direct threat to the unity of the Nigerian labour movement.”
TUC President-General, Festus Osifo, made this declaration yesterday, while speaking at the First Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference of the Lagos State Council held in Lagos.
Osifo, who was represented at the event by TUC Deputy Secretary General, Olawunmi Jimoh, warned that the union would resist the bill “with every lawful means at our disposal,” while placing all state councils on red alert to mobilise against any attempt to weaken organised labour.
“The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria strongly and categorically rejects this dangerous bill. We must defend the hard-won rights of Nigerian workers without hesitation,” Osifo said.
Beyond the legislative threat, the TUC leader lamented worsening economic conditions in the country, citing World Bank data that shows 56 per cent of Nigerians live below the poverty line.
He also highlighted rising inflation, food insecurity, epileptic power supply, and unsustainable borrowing as evidence of a system that has “failed its people.”
On the Lagos Council conference, Osifo commended the outgoing leadership, headed by Gbenga Ekundayo, for keeping the council “vibrant and responsive” and charged the incoming executive to raise the bar of excellence in service delivery.
He urged contestants to exhibit maturity, unity, and sportsmanship in the election process. The labour leader further called on councils across the federation not to hesitate in escalating unresolved industrial disputes to the TUC national secretariat for robust intervention, stressing that the congress would continue to speak truth to power and protect workers’ welfare.
“Leadership is a sacred responsibility. Let us keep the fire of solidarity burning bright as we move forward together,” he added.
In his farewell remarks, outgoing Chairman of the TUC Lagos State Council, Ekundayo, described his 2019–2025 tenure as a journey of “team spirit and unity of purpose.”
“When people agree and decide to work together, we can move mountains. Things that seemed impossible became possible because comrades worked with one mind,” he said.
Ekundayo, credited past leaders of the union for providing guidance and mentorship, noting that their continued commitment even after leaving office was a major highlight of his tenure.
He also commended the Lagos State Government for maintaining a robust working relationship with the union.
“In the past three years, the relationship with the government has been good. Not that we agree all the time, but even when we disagree, we come with open minds to find solutions,” he said.
To the incoming executive, Ekundayo advised: “If you don’t know where you are going, you will never arrive. Define your priorities, move with unity of purpose, and the sky will be your limit.”
Delivering the keynote address, President of the Precision Electrical and Related Equipment Senior Staff Association (PERESSA) and leading member of the Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR), Sesan Rufus, emphasised the importance of independence and discipline in sustaining the labour movement.
Speaking on the theme, “Trade Union Independence and Discipline: The Shield of Workers’ Rights and Dignity”, Rufus said: “Independence is the lifeblood of trade unionism. Without it, unions lose their courage and their ability to represent workers’ true interests.”
He warned against political interference, corporate manipulation, and internal corruption, noting that whenever unions compromise their independence, “they risk degenerating into appendages of the ruling elite.”
He therefore charged delegates to “recommit to democratic and accountable leadership”, reminding them that while governments and politicians may falter, the working class remains the backbone of society.
The post TUC Rejects Bill to Remove Labour from Exclusive Legislative appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.
•Describes move as anti-worker, retrogressive•Places state councils on red alert Sunday Ehigiator The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has strongly rejected the proposed amendment seeking to remove labour matters
The post TUC Rejects Bill to Remove Labour from Exclusive Legislative appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.
