New Dawn in Edo Labour As Feuding Factions Finally Resolve Crisis in NLC, Deepens Cooperation With TUC

Hendrix Oliomogbe 

The organized labour in Edo State has lauded the resolution of the prolonged dispute over the recognition of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)-constituted Caretaker Committee as the legitimate representative of the congress in the state.

In a joint statement weekend in Benin City by the Caretaker Committee chairman of Edo NLC, Prof. Monday Igbafen and the chairman of the state Trade Union of Congress (TUC), Comrade Joseph Wasah, they resolved to deepen cooperation and collaboration in order to strengthen the collective bargaining power of trade unions in the state. 

Prof. Igbafen and Comrade Wasah described the development as a new dawn in labour relations, particularly in the industrial relationship between the state government and the two major trade union centres in the country – the NLC and (TUC).

The duo further resolved to prioritize workers’ welfare and the well-being of the citizenry in its engagement with the state government.

The Edo NLC chairman and his TUC counterpart reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to work assiduously together to end internal wrangling within the state’s organized labour.

The statement read in part: “In strict adherence to our hallowed principle that an injury to one is an injury to all, we, the organized labour, have resolved to defend the cause of organized labour, its leaders and members, against all forms of anti-labour practices in the state, including interference, intimidation, harassment, oppression and repression.”

The organized labour leaders assured the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, of healthy and responsible trade unionism and pledged its readiness to partner with the state government to enhance workers’ welfare and support its worker-friendly policies.

The two chairmen also commended Governor Okpebholo; the President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume; the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi; and former Governor of Edo State and ex-NLC President, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, for their pivotal roles in brokering a lasting solution to the labour dispute.

The statement was preceded by a visit by the leadership of the organized labour in the state, led by the NLC and TUC chairmen to the chairman of the state council of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Comrade Williams Uwumarogie, who is currently recuperating in hospital from injuries sustained from an attack during the just suspended strike action by electricity workers in the state.