Labour Ready For Showdown With El-rufai Over Anti-union Policy

BEVERLY HILLS, March 21, (THEWILL) – The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has declared it’s readiness for a showdown against Governor Nasir El-Rufai over alleged imposition of anti-labour policy.

El-Rufai had allegedly directed all the workers in the Kaduna State Civil Service to fill a form dis-owning labour union under the ongoing staff verification exercise for workers in the state.

Reacting to the directive, Kiri Mohammed, JNPSNC National Chairman, on Monday, urged the workers to disregard the directive saying that the policy was discriminative and a violation of workers fundamental human right.

Kiri urged the Governor to withdraw the directive in order to avoid a confrontation with the organised labour as he reiterated the Council’s support for the Ayuba Wabba-led Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)

“The attention of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (Trade Union side) has been drawn to anti-workers action of Kaduna State Government by issuance of special exercises on staff verification forms, issued by the Kaduna State Government, office of the Governor to fill and indicate no to union,” he said.

“The Council discovered that after the exercise recently conducted, the State Government issued obnoxious policies compelling Civil Servants not to identify with any Trade Union of their choice.

“We hereby direct Kaduna State Civil Servants not to sign the form,” Kiri urged.

Kiri, who doubles as the National President of Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) and NLC Deputy President, adds that the policy violates Conventions C87 and C98 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) ratified by Nigeria, Trade Union (amendment) Act 2005 and section 40 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on freedom of association.

Story by David Oputah