The Nigeria Labour Congress has strongly criticised the Federal Government’s newly approved National Industrial Relations Policy, calling it a veiled attempt to criminalise strike actions and suppress trade union activities.
In a statement to The PUNCH, NLC President Joseph Ajaero faulted the government’s emphasis on curbing industrial actions, particularly strikes, as highlighted in the communiqué released after the Federal Executive Council meeting held on July 31, 2025.
The policy, adopted during the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu, is intended to regulate trade union operations and minimise industrial disputes nationwide.
However, the NLC maintains that the move threatens workers’ rights and undermines the role of organised labour in protecting employee welfare.
The policy, rather than addressing the wide range of workplace issues captured in the industrial relations framework, has chosen to single out strikes as a national concern. The labour body said the government’s posture exposes the mindset of those elected to protect the interests of the ordinary citizen, including workers.
“The right of a worker and trade unions to withdraw their services is fundamental and inalienable,” Ajaero said. “That a government is celebrating the clandestine insertion of such a toxic clause in a National Industrial Relations Policy reveals the depth of mischief that some people in government can sink just to feed their fantasy on chains and whips.”
The country’s biggest labour union accused the government of undermining the principles of tripartism and social dialogue, which formed the basis of the policy’s development. It recalled that during earlier consultations, attempts were made to include clauses that criminalised strike actions, but these were rejected by labour unions, employers, and even officials of the Federal Ministry of Labour as being contrary to the 1999 Constitution and the Trade Unions Act.
“There are personalities in the corridors of power who want to enjoy the fruits of constitutional governance and, at the same time, reject the principles of constitutionality, the rule of law, and respect for international labour standards,” the union stated.
The labour leaders reaffirmed their commitment to defending the rights of Nigerian workers, warning that any attempt to erode workers’ constitutional liberties would be met with stiff resistance.
“The leadership of the Congress and the Labour Movement remain watchful on our mandate of protecting the rights, interests and hard-won industrial liberties guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, our labour laws, and indeed fundamental international labour standards to which Nigeria is a signatory,” the NLC said.
