THE African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has called on the Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to desist from ill-treatment against a registered trade union, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).
General Secretary of ITUC-Africa, Comrade Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, in a letter addressed to Governor Sanwo-Olu, said it is also worrisome that Lagos State government will disregard a ruling by a competent court of law and also seize properties and premises belonging to the union.
ITUC-Africa further asked for immediate return of the properties to RTEAN to avoid industrial disharmony.
The letter, dated June 22, 2023 and titled, ‘On the issue of the state of freedom of association relating to the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN): An urgent call for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the premises of RTEAN and cessation of interference in the administration of the organisation,’ asked Governor Sanwo-Olu to ensure that RTEAN’s rights to unhindered freedom of association is entirely and manifestly respected.
The letter read, “We have received reports concerning the subject of this letter from the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and are writing to request that the matter be speedily dispatched so that the activities, operation and administration of the affected trade union are not further undermined.
“Mr Governor, the reports reaching us indicate that the Lagos State government (LASG) has closed down the premises and confiscated the properties of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria for reasons that competent courts in Nigeria have since dismissed.
“The report also indicated that the LASG directly and through its proxies and agents have been interfering in the activities, operations and administration of this trade union organisation contrary to extant national laws and provisions of legal and administrative instruments at the West African, African and International levels relating to the enjoyment of Freedom of Association.
“The ITUC-Africa is therefore concerned that the LASG has decided to arbitrarily clamp down on the operations and premises of a legitimate trade union organisation.
“This is particularly worrying against the background of the disregard for the rule of law given that a competent court of the land has ruled that the actions of the LASG are ultra vires and should be reversed.
“The ITUC-Africa is writing to you, Mr Governor, to request that you use the instrumentality of your office and goodwill to redress this situation by ensuring that the premises and properties of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) are returned and their right to unhindered Freedom of Association (FoA) is entirely and manifestly respected.
“The ITUC-Africa sees Nigeria as a fledgling democracy like other African countries. This reality partly explains why we expect that spaces and means to enjoy civil liberties in the country will be preserved and supported, especially by state actors.”
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