TUC Pickets Abuja Continental Over Alleged Workers’ Rights Violations

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Monday picketed the Abuja Continental Hotel over alleged violations of workers’ rights, accusing the management of preventing employees from unionising and engaging in collective bargaining. TUC officials, alongside members of affiliated unions, converged on the hotel premises in Abuja, disrupting activities as they demanded that workers be allowed to exercise their right to freedom of association. The protesters attempted to block the hotel’s entrance and lock its gates but were resisted by security personnel and some hotel officials. A heavy security presence was also reported at the premises. Speaking during the protest, TUC Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, said the union had exhausted efforts to resolve the dispute through dialogue before resorting to industrial action. Toro said the TUC wrote to the hotel management on August 4, inviting it to discussions on the alleged violations. According to him, management responded that it would not be available to meet until the end of November because of an ongoing renovation. He questioned the delay, saying workers’ rights should not be suspended because of the renovation exercise. “It’s against that background that we are here to exercise our fundamental right and press on our demand that they do have a right to unionisation and collective bargaining,” Toro said. He cited Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of association, as the basis for the workers’ demand. The development followed an earlier warning by TUC President Festus Osifo that organised labour could take action against hotels accused of preventing workers from unionising. Vanguard and Punch had reported Osifo’s warning earlier this month. However, the dispute has also produced a conflicting position from some hotel workers. Reports said some employees appeared at the premises carrying placards rejecting the union’s intervention and insisting that the TUC did not speak for them. One workers’ representative, Samuel Esiakpoyere, reportedly said employees were unaware of some of the correspondence cited by the union and maintained that workers were receiving their salaries and welfare benefits. Toro rejected the suggestion that the workers were united against unionisation, insisting that some employees wanted to join unions but were allegedly being intimidated. The TUC said it would remain at the hotel throughout the week and review the situation on Friday, while maintaining that it remained open to dialogue with management.