‘Why Nigeria’s trade union movement is not cohesive’
The Nigerian trade union movement is currently failing to achieve its set objectives and promote the interest of workers in the country due to internal divisions, factionalisation, power struggle and disunity. This assertion was made by the Chairman Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) committee on Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Comrade Chika […]
The Nigerian trade union movement is currently failing to achieve its set objectives and promote the interest of workers in the country due to internal divisions, factionalisation, power struggle and disunity.
This assertion was made by the Chairman Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) committee on Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Comrade Chika Unegbu.
He also noted that the movement is failing as a result of emergence of new forms of taxation; rising violence and intolerance across the country; and the current economic depression and stagnation in the country.
Unegbu, who spoke at a forum organised by the Rivers State chapter of Trade Union Congress at the weekend, called for unity among labour unions.
According to him, the movement must strive to bring in the large chunk of workers within the informal sector who are yearning for representation.
He added that trade union movement must seek avenues to rediscover itself, its values to improve them and make them more congruent to the needs of the changing times and needs.
He also said the movement must seek to participate directly in the economic activities of Nigeria, which will help the movement to build financial muscle and wean it from the vicissitudes of check-off dues as well as makes it a strategic player in some of the industries and this will give it leverage in negotiations with other social partners.
“We must appreciate those unions that have gone into the property market, the hospitality industry, the bakery and confectionery sector and those that are into service delivery as businesses. These investments will surely grow and will serve as pillars tomorrow for the survival of the movement.’’