Once again, following a familiar pattern, the Trade Union Congress, TUC, has distanced itself from an
upcoming nationwide protest planned by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC. The scheduled demonstration is informed by the current high cost of living, inflation, insecurity, and hardship, and it is slated for February 27 and 28, 2024. This development marks another chapter in the ongoing narrative of discord between the two major labour unions in Nigeria.
According to TUC Vice-President Tommy Etim, the decision was made due to the NLC’s unilateral declaration of the protest dates without a collective agreement between the unions, echoing concerns expressed in a letter from TUC’s Secretary-General, Dr. Nuhu Toro, dated February 19, 2024. This recurring discord is not a novel occurrence for the TUC. Historical instances abound, including the
TUC’s withdrawal from a two-day warning strike in September 2023 over fuel subsidy removal, a move
countered by NLC President Joe Ajaero’s defense of the NLC’s independent action.
In September 2020, the TUC postponed a nationwide protest initially set for September 23 to align with the NLC, revealing discord in their approaches to government policies. Going further back, in May 2016, the TUC backed out of a nationwide strike against fuel subsidy removal, citing newfound understanding of the policy’s benefits, a stance at odds with the NLC’s position at the time.
These instances reveal fragmented union leadership, reducing Nigerian workers’ collective bargaining
power. The TUC’s withdrawals from NLC actions emphasize the urgent need for better communication, strategy alignment, and solidarity to enhance labour union collaboration and effectively advocate for workers’ rights amid government policies and economic challenges.
The likely outcome of the NLC’s planned protests on February 27 and 28, 2024, in response to the high cost of living, inflation, insecurity, and hardship, is poised to draw significant attention to the grievances of the Nigerian populace. Historically, such protests have had a mixed record in terms of achieving immediate policy changes, but they have been effective in amplifying the voices of the workers and the general public, forcing the government to acknowledge their demands. However, the absence of TUC’s support could potentially dilute the impact of the protests, given the strength in numbers and unity that joint action between the NLC and TUC could have commanded.
The outcome of this protest that is beginning with a disagreement among the major labour bodies is
clear and one needs not be a prophet to call it. The NLC protests might prompt disruptions, potentially leading to government dialogue. However, the absence of unity between the leading labour unions could diminish the chance of significant policy changes. The protests are likely to end with promises of negotiations or the formation of committees, reminisient of former government responses often culmunating in no or insignificant changes. For labour, therefore, the mission going forward should not be to organize the incessant and usually reactionary protests, but to first of all achieve a united front before leading fatigued Nigerians to rallies. No one takes a divided house seriously.
