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By Bimbola Oyesola
Organised labour in the hospitality sector in Nigeria has decried the worsening exploitation of workers, especially in big hotels who have deliberately avoided unionisation.
This is even as it has charged the Federal Government to address the anomalies to save the workers from being subjected to inhuman treatment in their own country.
The Hotel and Personal Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (HAPSSSA), which raised these concerns, cited deliberate actions by some employers as a key contributor to the crisis.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Daily Sun Workforce, the general secretary of HAPSSSA, Gbenga Isola, described the alarming state of the sector, which he said has been compounded by Nigeria’s economic challenges, including inflation, fuel price hikes, and insecurity.
According to Isola, these factors have not only strained hotel operations but also placed an unbearable burden on workers.
“Before COVID-19, tasks allocated to three or four people are now being handled by a single individual, with no regard for their health or well-being,” Isola lamented.
He explained that during the pandemic, hotels downsized their workforce as part of cost-cutting measures. However, many employers have refused to return to pre-COVID employment levels despite a recovery in business activities.
“Employers, in their drive for profit, have become more capitalist to the detriment of workers. The job load on workers is overwhelming, and the energy being drained from them is taking a toll on their health,” he said.
The union leader further revealed the systematic suppression of workers’ rights in the hospitality industry, a practice that he said has been worsened by employers’ aggressive anti-union activities.
“Many workers are coerced into sacrificing their constitutional rights under Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association. New employees are warned at the point of employment not to join unions, with the threat of termination looming over their heads,” Isola disclosed.
He added, “This has resulted in a significant number of large hotels in Nigeria operating without union representation.”
According to Isola, this trend undermined the welfare and security of workers. “We now have so many big hotels in Nigeria, including in Lagos and Abuja, that are not unionized. Workers are left vulnerable, sacrificing their rights and benefits for fear of losing their jobs,” he noted.
Isola highlighted the increasing casualization of labour as another key issue. Employers, he said, now prefer fixed-term contracts of one or two years, with the option of non-renewal for workers who join unions.
“Once a worker’s contract ends, the employer simply claims their services are no longer required, a tactic that is eroding professionalism in the sector.
“When workers are unhappy and insecure, service delivery cannot be optimal,” Isola emphasised.
Despite the challenges, Isola assured that the union was not relenting in its efforts to advocate for workers’ rights.
He disclosed that the union had engaged in multiple legal battles against hotels that have violated labour laws, including Radisson Blu, Sheraton, and Federal Palace.
“We have numerous cases in court, some of which have been ongoing for seven to ten years. The slow pace of the judicial system is a major hindrance, but we remain steadfast in our fight,” he stated. This is even as highlighted the union’s role during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that workers who were retrenched received their entitlements.
“We played a vital role in negotiating redundancy payments and gratuities for affected workers. Without the union, no individual worker could have secured such settlements from their employers,” he noted.
He called on the government to play a more active role in addressing these challenges, which he said are critical to revitalising the sector.
He stated further, “The government should provide revolving loans for employers in the hospitality industry at single-digit interest rates to help them sustain their businesses and meet their obligations to workers.
“Stabilising the power supply and harmonising taxes are also critical. Right now, hotels face multiple layers of taxation, which further erodes their revenues.”
He warned that without such interventions, the sector’s capacity to sustain employment and contribute to the economy would remain limited. “If operational costs remain this high, workers will continue to be overburdened, and many businesses may shut down. It’s a vicious cycle that requires immediate attention,” he added.
Beyond the plight of workers, the hospitality sector itself is grappling with numerous operational challenges. Isola identified the erratic power supply as a major issue, particularly for high-end hotels that require industrial-scale generators to maintain operations.
“There is no amount of solar energy that can power large hotels like Transcorp Hilton, Sheraton, or Continental. The reliance on diesel generators significantly increases operational costs,” he explained.
Additionally, the rising cost of raw materials and operational inputs has placed a strain on the sector, with the burden often passed down to workers. “The cost of goods and services provided for guests has gone up, making it even harder for hotels to maintain a balance between profitability and fair treatment of workers,” he said.
He further noted that insecurity in the northern region of the country has crippled tourism, which is a critical driver of the hospitality business.
“Tourism is almost zero in the North due to insecurity. People cannot move by road or feel safe staying in hotels. This is supposed to be a relaxation centre, but when guests cannot close their eyes at night, what do we call it?”
In light of the daunting challenges posed, Isola noted that to empower workers and prepare them for economic uncertainties, the union organizes training programs on alternative sources of income.
These include farming, animal husbandry, and investments in high-performing stocks. “We train our members to see beyond their salaries. Many of them now have side businesses that provide additional income, helping them cope with economic realities,” Isola explained.
Addressing the recently approved N70,000 minimum wage, Isola described it as grossly inadequate given the current cost of living. “Transportation alone can cost over N80,000 per month for some workers. This does not include rent, feeding, school fees, or other basic expenses. In a country where individuals perform the roles of local governments—providing their own electricity, water, and security—such a wage cannot sustain a family,” he argued.
He further condemned the disparity between workers’ living conditions and the profits of employers in the sector. “While workers struggle to make ends meet, some hotel owners continue to declare significant profits, especially during peak seasons. However, the rich and affluent who patronise these hotels make up only a small fraction of the population.
“The common man cannot afford these services, and the workers who sustain the industry are left to bear the brunt,” he said.
Isola urged workers to stand firm and support the union’s efforts, “The union exists to protect workers’ rights and ensure job security. We are actively engaging with employers, the Ministry of Labour, and other stakeholders to address these issues. However, our strength lies in collective action. Workers must not allow fear to deter them from joining the union,” he said. He also called on the government to strengthen labour laws and enforce penalties for non-compliance.
