By Bimbola Oyesola
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has taken a swipe at the Federal Government over the recent policy on public service rules 2021 and a circular on tenure period for trade union officers.
President of TUC, Festus Osifo, calling for the immediate reversal of the policy, lamented that the policy unilaterally introduced a controversial tenure policy for trade union officers.
The new rule mandates that trade unions introduce a tenure limit of no more than two terms, with each term restricted to two years. This makes the maximum tenure for any Trade Union officer four years throughout their service life.
Osifo noted that the obnoxious policy has been further reinforced by a Circular from the Head of Service of the Federation, with Reference No. HCSF/PS/SPSO/268/13/2/38, dated August 1, 2023.
“This newly introduced PSR Rule 020612 directly contradicts the existing provisions of the Labour Act and many Trade Union constitutions, which typically provide for a four-year tenure per term,” he said.
He stated that the imposition of a two-year term is disruptive and undermines the autonomy of Trade Unions to manage their internal affairs as guaranteed by their constitutions.
“In our opinion, this policy represents a significant overreach by the government, infringing on the rights of Trade Unions to self-governance and autonomy,” he stated.
According to the TUC President, “It is important to reiterate that Trade Unions are constitutionally empowered to determine the tenure of their officers as enshrined in their constitutions, and any attempt to impose external limits is a direct violation of these rights.”
He expressed that the imposition of a tenure limit by the PSR is an encroachment on the independence of Trade Unions and undermines the democratic processes within these unions, where members have the right to freely elect leaders based on the constitutions that govern their operations.
The TUC leader charged the Head of Service of the Federation to urgently review and rescind PSR Rule 020612 and the accompanying Circular.
He emphasized that Trade Unions must be allowed to operate according to their constitutions, without undue interference from external bodies.
“The autonomy and independence of Trade Unions are fundamental to the protection of workers’ rights and the promotion of a fair and just workplace”, he said urging all affiliates of Congress to stand united in defense of their constitutional rights.
Charging members of the organized labour, Osifo stressed, “Together, we must resist any attempt to undermine the democratic processes within our organizations and ensure that our voices continue to be heard in the corridors of power.”