President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has maintained that his organisation has the authority to independently negotiate workers’ welfare matters with the Federal Government, rejecting claims that such engagements must involve both major labour centres.

Ajaero stated this on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, amid an ongoing disagreement between the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the representation of workers in negotiations with the government.

The dispute follows the Federal Government’s approval of a N70,000 transport allowance for workers across different levels for six months, with TUC President Festus Osifo insisting that both labour organisations should participate in negotiations concerning workers.

However, Ajaero argued that while the TUC could participate in negotiations alongside the NLC, it could not independently engage labour authorities on such matters, citing what he described as the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) principle of representation by the majority of workers.

He maintained that the TUC was expected to submit its proposals through the NLC for onward transmission to the relevant international labour body.

According to him, previous attempts by the TUC to independently submit its position ahead of an ILO conference were returned, after which he intervened in the process.

The NLC president also questioned the TUC’s claim of having a substantial number of members in the federal civil service, citing the composition of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council.

He explained that seven of the eight unions represented in the council were affiliated with the NLC, while only one belonged to the TUC. He further argued that the TUC-affiliated union had subjected its representation to the authority of the joint council.

Citing the Trade Union Amendment Act 2005 and Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, Ajaero maintained that union membership was voluntary and that workers had the constitutional right to choose the associations they wished to join.

On the circumstances surrounding the N70,000 transport allowance, Ajaero disclosed that the NLC had issued an ultimatum to the Federal Government before negotiations commenced.

He said the government subsequently requested four days to engage with labour representatives, after which discussions resumed and resulted in the transport allowance agreement.

Ajaero further maintained that demands for an increase in the national minimum wage required the establishment of a formal negotiation committee, stressing that wage adjustments involved consultations among organised labour, government representatives and employers.