Financial Crisis Hits Public Sector Unions: Salary Woes, Withheld Dues Raise Concerns

Public sector unions in the country are grappling with a severe financial crisis, hampering their ability to fulfill crucial obligations such as paying salaries. Investigations have uncovered that the Federal Government has intercepted the check-off dues deducted at source from the salaries of unions affiliated with both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) counterpart since November 2023.

Earlier last year, a similar situation unfolded, prompting the government to withhold check-off dues until the NLC threatened a nationwide strike by May 20, 2023. The Accountant-General of the Federation reluctantly released the funds to the unions at that time. However, recent developments indicate a recurring pattern, with funds processed for payment allegedly diverted before release.

Among the unions affected by this financial turmoil are AUPCTRE, NASU, NCSU, NUPSRAW, NANNM, and ASCSN. Efforts made by these unions through the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have, so far, yielded no positive results. The issue was raised at a recent JNPSNC meeting in Nasarawa State, where unions expressed their challenges resulting from the withheld statutory funds.

Despite petitions to President Bola Tinubu seeking intervention, the leadership of the trade union side of JNPSNC has yet to see a resolution. The NLC has also voiced its concerns in a letter dated January 31, 2024, titled “Continuing Refusal To Release Check-off Dues Accruing To Public Sector Trade Union.” The letter warns that withholding check-off dues interferes with the activities of these unions and violates international and national labor regulations.

The NLC demands immediate action, calling on the Accountant-General to ensure the release of all withheld check-off dues, emphasizing the potential negative consequences if the government continues to withhold funds crucial to the functioning of trade unions in Nigeria’s public sector.