The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has backed the ongoing industrial action by aviation workers, warning employers against victimising employees who choose to join trade unions.
TUC President Festus Osifo said the Congress fully supported the action during a briefing on the state of the nation in Abuja.
“No employer has the right to prevent workers from joining trade unions,” Mr Osifo said, adding that the TUC would resist any attempt to punish workers for exercising their right to unionise.
The warning comes as passengers remain stranded at airports in Lagos and Abuja following a disruption of flight operations by members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the TUC.
Several flight schedules have been grounded as the unions protest unresolved demands involving workers’ unionisation and the remittance of statutory charges to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The NCAA has appealed to the unions to suspend the action and exercise restraint pending the return of Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo, who it said had been working to resolve the dispute.
TUC raises economic concerns
Beyond the aviation dispute, the TUC called on the Federal Government to sustain its economic policies while urgently tackling insecurity to allow farmers to return to their farms and improve food supplies.
Mr Osifo said the economy was showing mixed signs, with some improvement at the microeconomic level but continued concerns over the broader macroeconomy.
He also described the naira as undervalued, warning that this had implications for the rising cost of living.
The Congress urged the government to take stronger measures to ease economic hardship and improve workers’ welfare.
The union also called for the introduction of state police, urging the National Assembly to accelerate consideration of the relevant legislation.
It said greater use of technology was also needed to strengthen security operations and tackle insecurity across the country.
On the energy sector, the TUC opposed the outright sale of government-owned refineries, arguing that the government should retain and properly manage its equity in the facilities.
The Congress also raised concerns over the remittance of the five per cent charge and workers’ welfare, while commending the Federal Government for approving a salary increase for military personnel.
The TUC said it would continue engaging the government until concrete measures were taken to address economic hardship, insecurity and workers’ welfare.
