NLC doesn’t need TUC to negotiate, Ajaero tells Osifo

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, has insisted that the NLC can negotiate alone, rejecting Trade Union Congress President Festus Osifo’s position that both labour centres must take part.

Ajaero spoke on Monday on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, The PUNCH reports. The two bodies are disputing the N70,000 transport allowance the Federal Government approved for workers for six months.

He cited an International Labour Organisation principle on the most representative workers’ body. Under it, he said, the TUC could negotiate alongside the NLC but not alone, and must send its ILO proposals through the NLC.

“NLC determines how TUC participates,” he said.

Ajaero noted that only one of the eight unions in the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council belongs to the TUC.

He said the allowance followed an NLC ultimatum. He added that minimum wage talks need a committee of labour, government and employers.