The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced its commitment to actively engage in politics to ensure that the welfare of workers remains a priority in government programs and policies. NLC President Mr. Joe Ajaero made this statement during courtesy visits to various labor unions in Lagos on Thursday. Among the unions he visited were the National Union of Electricity Employees, the National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions, and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers.
Ajaero emphasized that the labor movement is the foundation of the Labour Party (LP), which he described as a political entity rooted in the ideology of the working-class movement and dedicated to advocating for workers’ demands. He stated, “We have an era that we are entering: an era of politics, and we will not shy away.” He further noted that the NLC is already involved in politics, having previously established the Labour Party, which participated in recent elections.
According to Ajaero, the existence of Nigeria is crucial for the practice of unionism. He asserted that any individual who becomes President must collaborate with the NLC to ensure the rights and privileges of workers are upheld. He criticized the current wage system, casualization policies, and outsourcing practices as detrimental to workers, stating, “With such policies, we can’t be our brothers’ keepers.”
The labor leader encouraged union members to take an active interest in politics, expressing concern that outsiders have been allowed to dominate the LP. He urged members to educate workers across the country about the party’s objectives. Ajaero stated, “That is what we are going to impose on them; even those who have emerged as senators or House of Representatives members must meet with us to discuss our programs.”
He highlighted the importance of ensuring that the actions and statements of elected representatives reflect the interests of the labor movement. Ajaero clarified that while individuals are free to belong to any political party, the NLC has a dedicated platform where workers’ concerns can be addressed. He concluded by stressing the need for the labor movement to engage directly with political representatives on issues such as the demand for a new minimum wage, asserting, “All these issues concern the workers, and we should no longer shy away from it.”
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