Labour Leaders Battle Government Over Alleged Unlawful Tenure Restrictions

Labour leaders across public sector unions in the nation are expressing outrage over a recent circular issued by the Office of the Head of Service (HoS) of the Federation. The circular, which limits the tenure of union officers to two terms of four years each, is facing strong opposition, with leaders deeming it not only illegal but also a nullity.

Leaders within the Organised Labour argue that the circular represents a toxic interference in the internal affairs of trade unions, contradicting established laws and international standards. Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and Vice President of Public Service International (PSI), stated, “It is inconsistent with relevant trade union laws and a violation of the provisions in the federal government approved constitutions of industrial unions.”

AUPCTRE President, Benjamin Anthony, and others claim that the circular was introduced without prior discussion during talks on the Public Service Rule (PSR) at the Public Service Institute. Additionally, a leader from another public sector union, speaking anonymously, labeled the circular as not only toxic but also in violation of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 87, which safeguards freedom of association and protection of the rights to organize for workers and employers.

The dispute dates back to the rejection of a circular dated August 1, 2023, and a subsequent reminder on November 30, 2023. Public sector unions, including AUPCTRE, NASU, Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), NUPSRAW, and NANNM, assert that the HoS’s office is overstepping its bounds, emphasizing that the appointment and removal of union executives fall under the purview of the Trade Unions Act and not the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. The unions argue that such actions violate both national and international labor rights conventions, sparking a contentious standoff between the organized labour and the government.