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From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
Steel and Engineering Workers’ Union of Nigeria (SEAWUN) has warned that failure by government and employers to implement negotiated labour agreements could trigger fresh industrial disputes and undermine industrial peace in the country.
The union’s President-General, Oyabugbe Sunday, gave the warning in his welcome address at the 2026 Annual Industrial Relations Conference of SEAWUN, held at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The conference, with the theme, “Collective Bargaining, Strikes and the Quest for Industrial Peace in Nigeria,” examined contemporary challenges confronting industrial relations, including difficulties in implementing agreements reached through collective bargaining.
Oyabugbe said effective collective bargaining and sustained engagement among government, employers and workers remained critical to resolving disputes and maintaining industrial harmony.
The union leader also raised concerns over the worsening economic conditions confronting workers, citing rising inflation, transportation and food costs and declining purchasing power.
He said the pressures had placed enormous burdens on workers and their families, stressing the need for closer collaboration among government, employers and trade unions to protect workers’ earnings and improve living standards.
“The theme reflects the importance of effective collective bargaining and constant engagement among government, employers and workers in addressing industrial disputes and promoting sustainable industrial peace.
“Our economy can only achieve meaningful growth when there is adequate investment in productive sectors, infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, education and human capital development,” Oyabugbe said.
He called on government to implement policies that would stimulate production, create jobs and strengthen local industries, while ensuring that the benefits of economic growth were fairly distributed.
Oyabugbe disclosed that SEAWUN had negotiated a N40,000 increase in the salaries and wages of workers under the National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) agreement. He, however, said the union was preparing to commence negotiations with employers for additional palliatives to cushion the impact of the economic hardship on workers.
“The union is committed to improving the earnings and welfare of our members in the face of rising economic challenges and the increasing cost of living,” he said.
The President-General said proposals for workers’ palliatives had already been sent to the Auto and Precision Employers Associations, urging employers to support their workforce amid the prevailing economic difficulties.
On workers’ retirement benefits, he said the union had also secured the restructuring of gratuity arrangements for workers at Jubaili Bros Engineering Limited.
According to him, both parties agreed to keep workers’ gratuity in an interest-yielding account, which would enable workers to earn interest on their accrued benefits and reduce losses associated with the annualisation of gratuity.
Oyabugbe further disclosed that SEAWUN had commenced discussions with Cummins West Africa over the company’s proposed sale of a majority stake in its business to Alkan FZE. He said the union was particularly concerned about protecting workers’ accrued gratuity and other entitlements, preserving jobs and ensuring continued recognition of the union after the proposed ownership change.
He added that SEAWUN would continue to monitor the process and engage the company and prospective new owners to safeguard the interests of its members.
The union also secured the right of previously excluded workers at Cobranet Limited to join SEAWUN following engagements with the company’s management and intervention by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. Oyabugbe said the development had significantly increased the union’s membership at the company, urging workers across the industry to report cases of exclusion or attempts to prevent them from joining the union.
On the 2027 general elections, he urged workers to participate actively in the democratic process and vote for candidates and programmes committed to economic development, workers’ welfare, job creation and industrial peace.
He also called on political parties and candidates to make workers’ welfare a central part of their campaign programmes, while urging stakeholders to work towards a peaceful, credible, free and fair electoral process.
“A stable political environment is essential for investment, economic growth and industrial harmony,” he said.
