LABOUR UNION IN POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS: A BAD PRECEDENT

Source: thewillnigeria.com

The recent involvement, open campaign, sensitization and mobilization of voters for particular candidates in general elections in Nigeria by Labour Unions (Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress) is ethically wrong and a flagrant abuse of labour norms. Duly, no established democratic institution gets involved in partisan politics so as to remain unbiased, fair and critical of any unpopular policy churned out by any government in power. If the current partisan nature of Labour is not corrected, the Labour Unions may be hijacked by some political bigwigs in the country for their selfish interests, for certainly with this attitude of Labour that is where it is heading to.

At the just concluded Ekiti State Governorship election, members of the Labour Union participated actively in the mobilization of their members for their anointed candidate. They were actually in Ado-Ekiti to give their unflinching support to their friend and comrade, Dr. Kayode John Fayemi. This same scenario occurred during the governorship election in Edo state that brought their candidate, Adams Oshiomhole to power. But, the Labour Union though may appear unaware of what they are doing to itself presently by this action, however it is gradually dragging itself into the murky waters of politics that will mar the original principles of Labour Union. The Labour Union participated actively ushering in this democracy; it must then be seen to be doing everything within its ambit to water the roots for its sustenance. No doubt, during elections, as individuals we are sentimentally attached to our preferred candidates and may want to contribute something to the person's victory but, as labour, social and political rights advocates we must know when to draw the line.

After all, in 2003 former Civil Liberties Organization's Executive Director, Abdul Oroh, resigned from CLO to contest for an election in Edo State. The CLO did not publicly declare support, campaign, mobilize for him because that would negate all democratic principles, norms, vision of the organization. As acclaimed democrats, we must not only be heard talking but exhibiting that which we talk about. It is not too far now for the Labour Union to retrace its' steps, agreed that some members of Labour Union or associates are nursing or already involved in partisan politics and there is nothing virtually wrong with that but it will be unfair using the labour platform to campaign or mobilize for such candidates. In the past, some activists and even organizations had cause to donate to fellow activists' campaign without publicly announcing it to avoid been seen to be favouring one candidate or party against the other.

Labour and civil rights' groups stands between the government and people, it restrains the government's power and provides social space for activity independent of the government. For sure, there can be no democracy without Labour and civil society. So, it is then desirous for our Labour Unions to be mindful of its activities with political parties, governments at any level. It is against the ethic of political neutrality of labour to get involved in the campaign or mobilization of voters for a particular candidate. There is no known labour law limiting members to party of their choice as they are entitled to personally belonging to any political party or chose whomever they so wish in so far as they are not destroying the soul and unity of labour union in the country.

The Labour Unions must be ready and available to work with any elected government in power irrespective of its leaders or members' political affiliation. In a political system there is bound to be issues between the government and workers in which a peaceful compromise, agitation is expected rather than violence or coercion to settle the kind of differences that are inevitable in any society. And, in between these two bodies is the Labour Union, representing the workers and masses. For Labour Union to have identified with a candidate in an election will not augur well in a dialogue between it and the government in power, especially the one they never campaigned for or supported. Just wondering how the Labour Union will approach the Ekiti State Governor-elect, Ayodele Peter Fayose, when he is finally sworn in as the Executive Governor, for discussions, compromise on the lingering problem between the state government and its school teachers and, other related labour issues.

Written By Uzodinma Nwaogbe
 

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