You lack the powers to ban RTEAN, NURTW, organised Labour tells Sanwo-Olu
By Eberechi Obinagwam
Organised labour, under the aegis of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in solidarity with the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, (RTEAN) on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest to the office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State in Alausa, Ikeja to register their grievances over the proscription of RTEAN and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state.
Addressing newsmen, Comrade Nuhu Toro, the General Secretary of TUC in company with some labour leaders said that it was wrong for the government to ban RTEAN and the NURTW in the State.
According to him, “we find this ridiculous and it is important to put the record straight that the subsisting court judgment says the Lagos State Government must respect the rights of the unions.
“This is a constitutional right that must be respected. We are here to submit our letter of demands to Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
“We want to assume that the Lagos State Governor is a gentleman. This is the first phase and we expect him to call the organised labour for a meeting within a week. The two transport unions should be allowed to operate freely in Lagos,” he said.
The spokesperson of TUC said that disobedience of court orders and abridgement of fundamental human rights as regards the RTEAN, and the NURTW would not be allowed.
He said that the union is in the exclusive legislative list and that it should be treated as such.
“Trade unions are on the Exclusive Legislative List, which in simple language means that states, including Lagos State, do not have powers over trade unions not to talk of proscribing them,” he said.
The union had issued a one day warning letter ahead of the protest on Wednesday, May 30.
According to the letter that was addressed to the state governor, ”In wishing you the best, we draw your attention to your government’s unacceptable violation of the country’s constitution which you have sworn to uphold, disobedience of court orders and abridgement of fundamental human rights as regards the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW.
“Your government in gross violation of Section 40 of the Constitution which guarantees Nigerians the right to freedom of association purported to have banned RTEAN and NURTW. This is despite that section of the constitution stating unambiguously that this right to freely associate includes the right to form and belong to trade unions of their choice.”
It further states, “Trade unions are on the Exclusive Legislative List which in simple language means that states including Lagos State do not have powers over trade unions not to talk about proscribing them.
“Your government in purporting to proscribe RTEAN violates the International Labour Organisation, ILO Convention No. 87 which guarantees humans the right to freely associate.
“Your government’s seizure of the RTEAN offices built by the union is a gross violation of the constitutional right to own property, and your constitutional duty to defend private property.
“The seizure by your government of two TUC buses found on the premises of the RTEAN and repainting them, has no other word but theft. It is unacceptable that your government continues to hold on to the TUC buses and putting them to use.”
Receiving the letter on behalf of Governor Sanwo-Olu, Engr. Olasunkanmi Ojo from the Ministry of Transportation assured the organised labour and members of the transport unions that the Governor would look into their demands.
He told them that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry was in another assignment at the Deputy Governor’s office and that the Governor was not around.
He urged for calm, adding that the issue would be amicably resolved.
Inscriptions written on the placards of the protesters included: “TUC/NLC stronger together.”
“When Lagos State disobeys court orders, it is executive lawlessness.
“President Tinubu, call Sanwo-Olu to order,” amongst others.