The Ministry of Labour and Employment has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to avoid using trade union dues to fund political objectives.
National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure, had written to the Ministry of Labour and Employment on July 10, 2024, to define the roles of the NLC in the activities of the party.
The NLC, led by Joe Ajaero, has been in contention with the leadership of the LP over the proprietary rights, insisting that it owns the party even against the provision of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In a letter dated July 31, the Department of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations at the ministry explained the role of NLC and TUC in political activities.
The letter, signed by the Director/Registrar of Trade Unions, Falonipe Amos, on behalf of the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, referred to Section 15 (1) (2) (3) of the Trade Unions Act Cap T14 & T15 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
According to the Registrar, Section 15 states that trade union dues are not to be applied for political purposes unless the rules of the trade union otherwise provide. Insofar as the funds of “a trade union represent payments which the members are required to make under the rules, whether by way of subscriptions, dues, or otherwise, those funds shall not be applied (whether directly, or through any other union, association, or body, or in any other indirect manner) to the furtherance of any political objective.”
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“If any of the funds of a trade union are applied to the furtherance of a political objective in contravention of subsection (1) of this section, the trade union and every official thereof shall be guilty of an offence under this Act,” the letter said.
The ministry also reminded the NLC and the TUC that for the purpose of this section, the political objective includes the payment of any expenses incurred (whether directly or indirectly) by a candidate or prospective candidate for election to any political office in Nigeria or any part of Nigeria, being expenses incurred before, during, or after the election in connection with his candidature or election.
Others are the holding of any meeting or the distribution of any literature or document in support of any such candidate or prospective candidate, the maintenance of any person while he holds in Nigeria or any part of Nigeria a political office to which he has been elected, and the registration of electors in Nigeria or any part thereof.
“I wish to urge the leadership of NLC to be guided by the above provisions of the Trade Unions Act in dealing with the Labour Party and any other political parties,” the letter concluded.
