Weak labour movement ‘ll hurt all, not just workers – NLC

By Victor Ahiuma-Young The consequences of a weakened labour movement could extend far beyond factories, government offices and other workplaces, leaving millions of Nigerians without a strong collective voice to challenge policies affecting their economic survival, rights and welfare. Read Also: N70,000 Transport Allowance Saga: ‘You can’t lead TUC from abroad,’ Ajaero tells Osifo For the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the strength of organised labour is not just a trade union concern but a matter that directly affects the wellbeing of the entire country.

Beyond its traditional responsibility of negotiating wages and protecting workers’ interests, Labour movement has historically served as an important platform for defending ordinary Nigerians, challenging unpopular government policies and protecting the civic space. Its weakening, therefore, could have consequences for people who are not necessarily members of any trade union but whose livelihoods are affected by government decisions.

This was the concern expressed by the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, who warned that Nigerians would become victims if the labour movement collapsed. “If the labour movement collapses today, all of us will become victims,” Ajaero declared in Lagos, while speaking at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN), themed: Workers at the Centre of Nigeria’s Political Transition: Defending Rights, Advancing Welfare and Building Economic Justice.

His warning was particularly directed at Nigerians who appear to regard the struggles of organised labour as the exclusive responsibility of workers and trade union leaders, even when the issues being contested affect their daily lives. According to him, the labour movement remains one of the important voices defending the interests of ordinary Nigerians, adding that its collapse would leave workers and other vulnerable groups with fewer platforms through which to express their grievances.

He said: “If that voice becomes weak, workers and other vulnerable groups will have fewer platforms through which to express their grievances.” For Ajaero, the danger is that a weakened labour movement would not only affect the ability of workers to negotiate better conditions of service but could also reduce the capacity of ordinary citizens to collectively challenge economic policies that worsen their living conditions.

He questioned the attitude of Nigerians who complain about the rising cost of living but expect the NLC to take responsibility for confronting every challenge without corresponding public support. “It is not enough to complain about the cost of fuel, transportation, food or other necessities and then ask where the NLC is,” he said. “The labour movement cannot solve every problem without the participation and support of the people.” The NLC president argued that the struggle for affordable living conditions should not be left to organised labour alone because the consequences of economic hardship are not restricted to salary earners.

He explained that the demand for affordable transportation, lower living costs and policies capable of improving the economy would benefit the entire population. “If we collectively demand affordable transportation, lower living costs and policies that improve the economy, the benefits will extend beyond organised labour,” he stated. Using the price of petrol as an example, Ajaero maintained that every Nigerian who depends on transportation would benefit from policies that make the commodity more affordable.

“For instance, if the price of petrol is reduced to a more affordable level, every Nigerian who depends on transportation will benefit. “It should not be a situation where only organised labour speaks out while other citizens remain silent on issues that affect everybody,” he warned. Struggle for democracy To demonstrate why Nigerians must protect the labour movement, Ajaero recalled the historical contributions of organised labour, students and civil society organisations to the struggle for democratic rights and the defence of civic freedoms.

He referred to his experience as a student in 1988, when he participated in student activism and engagements with the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida. He explained that the labour movement and civil society organisations had played significant roles at different periods in challenging military rule and defending the interests of Nigerians.

Ajaero recalled that when the NLC faced difficulties, civil society organisations and other groups contributed to defending the interests of the population. “There were different periods when the NLC faced difficulties, civil society organisations and other groups contributed to defending the interests of Nigerians,” he said. The implication, according to the labour leader, is that the survival of organised labour should be a collective concern because its activities have consequences for the broader society.

He also drew a