Top Nigerian union leader faces terrorism charges

The letter warned: “Be informed that in the event of failing to honour this letter, this office will have no alternative than to activate a warrant of arrest.” 
 
In reply, NLC lawyers said that the police must explain the “details and nature of the allegations” and that Ajaero will go for the interview on 29 August.
 
The charges Ajaero face arise from trade union participation in national mass action against the cost-of-living crisis whose social media identity is #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria. 
 
However, the government’s heavy-handed response led to the death of 13 protestors and the imprisonment of several others. Nigerian workers took to the streets as they are facing increasing financial hardships because of high inflation of over 34 per cent, underemployment, low wages, and high poverty. This was worsened by the removal of petroleum subsidies which led to price hikes. As some of the ways to ease workers’ plight, the unions are demanding economic policies that will lead to economic development, industrialization, and the creation of decent jobs.
 
The unions see the letter from the police as an act of continued harassment of leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and other labour leaders. “We view this as a calculated attempt to weaken and destabilize the labour movement, which has always stood as a bastion of democratic principles and the voice of the Nigerian masses,” wrote the NLC in a statement.
 

“IndustriALL urges the Federal Government of Nigeria and the police to stop the repressive actions and intimidation against trade unions and civil society organizations. Instead, the government must engage in meaningful social dialogue with trade unions, and take necessary actions to stop this injustice,”

said Atle Høie, IndustriALL general secretary.

Ajaero is also the general secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees, an IndustriALL Global Union affiliate. Other IndustriALL affiliates in Nigeria organize in the chemical, energy, engineering, oil and gas, ship building and ship breaking, textile and garment, and other sectors.
 

Madagascar young workers strategize on peer recruitment

They argued that young workers had inadequate information about trade unions that can attract them to join. Yet the youth could be reached through social media messages, and be invited to union meetings, discussion groups, sports events, and other social events where music was played.

The training workshop heard that there is a demographic shift in the trade union movement in Madagascar with some unions now having over 50 per cent of their members below the age of 35. 

The United Nations(UN) has described this as a “demographic dividend” which will benefit trade unions as well. According to the UN a demographic dividend can result in increased economic growth when better educated and skilled young workers enter the labour market. Some of these skills include digital skills needed for platform economies that are being established in Madagascar as confirmed by the participants.
 
The importance of trade union transformation that included young workers in union activities through increased participation, representation, integration, and capacity development through worker education was also on the agenda. The transformation should also include gender equality as young women were the majority in some industries that included the textile and garment sector.
 
Discussions highlighted the importance of enhancing trade unions' understanding of the changing world of work which is influenced by digital technologies, and that trade unions should continue the fight against precarious working conditions that disproportionately affected young workers. 

The young workers should also fight for fundamental rights at work specifically trade union rights and collective bargaining as well as campaigning for job creation and against drug addiction especially among unemployed youth. 

Tree planting was given as one of the activities that young workers can do in the communities in which they live. The youth should be involved in climate change,  through their union activities on the Just Transition from high to low carbon economies.

Leontine Mbolanomena, IndustriALL national project coordinator for Madagascar said:

“We continue to encourage the youth especially the young women that the union is their organization and that they are the future leaders. In our meetings we are ensuring that young workers have access to information about the labour laws and regulations as well as appraise them on international campaigns for trade union rights.”

Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL Sub-Saharan Africa regional secretary said:
 

“The changing demographics in the union, with young workers becoming the majority, is something that must be embraced in the context of the changing world of work. The trade unions in Madagascar and in Africa must ensure that the youth are catalysts in this transformation.”

The 22 participants were from IndustriALL affiliates Federation des Syndicats Autonomes des Travailleurs de l’Industrie (FESATI), Federation de Syndicat des Travailleurs des Entreprises Frances et Textile (SEMPIZOF), and Syndicalisme et Vie des Societes (SVS) that organize workers in the mining and textile and garment industries.
 
The workshop was held with support from IndustriALL affiliate, ACV-BIE, Belgium, as part of the union building project.


 

Botswana: Union fights union busting in the diamond supply chain

In letters written to government departments, including the ministries of labour and social security and home affairs, the Botswana Diamond Workers Union (BDWU) wants an end to workers’ rights violations on the diamond cutting and polishing supply chain.
 
For instance, the companies employ migrant workers whom they pay low wages are in violation of the immigration and labour laws. The companies also ignore dispute resolution mechanisms. When it comes to union recruitment and recognition, the companies victimize workers, while others are dismissed or retrenched for joining their chosen union. Even where the union meets the requirements to be recognised by the employer at the factories, as per labour laws, often the union must fight the employer for compliance.
 
Although, the BDWU, an IndustriALL affiliate, approached the labour inspectorate to conduct inspections and assist in resolving the disputes. The union was surprised that the report from the inspections omitted some of the union’s grievances which included deteriorating working conditions in long working hours, non-payment of overtime, and removing benefits without engaging with workers. For example, at Dharum Cutting Works the employer withdrew attendance bonuses, transport allowances, medical aid, and performance bonus.
 
In the diamond manufacturing industry, there is also non-compliance with occupational health and safety standards, disregarding the employment of locals and skills training, increasing sexual harassment, precarious working conditions in which short contracts were used to deter workers from joining the union, and reduction of wages. Additionally unfair dismissals and retrenchments were common. These grievances were highlighted at the IndustriALL global diamond network meeting in Lesotho in February, this year.
 
The union’s proposals for social dialogue with the Diamond Hub, the Botswana Diamond Manufacturers Association, De Beers Botswana, and Business Botswana were ignored. However, the BDWU maintains that social dialogue will assist in improving working conditions.
 
The union gave examples of the offending companies which include Venus Jewel Botswana where the labour inspectors intervened for the union to be recognised.

At Yerushalmi Bros Diamond Botswana, where the union has a recognition agreement, there is engagement to end violations. At Dharum Cutting Works Botswana cases of sexual harassment were reported by the union to the ministry of labour. According to a report by the labour inspectorate, at Dharum, a general manager sexually harassed workers through inappropriate touching, unwanted sexual advances, sexual solicitation and overtones and graphic comments.
 

“The diamond cutting and polishing sub-sector needs urgent attention or else our diamonds will be tainted by the increasing workers’ and human rights violations. The union calls upon the ministries of labour and home affairs as well as other relevant departments to act swiftly and ensure compliance on workers’ rights,”

said Dominic Obusitse Mapoka, BDWU chairperson general.
 
Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub-Saharan Africa said:
 

“The union busting in the diamond manufacturing in Botswana is appalling. The diamond cutting and polishing companies must respect trade union and workers’ rights. Further, the companies must protect women workers against sexual harassment. We commend the BDWU for a sustained fight for workers’ rights.” 

Armed forces raid Nigerian union offices amid protests

The break-in and occupation of the union offices occurred following weeklong national protests aimed at addressing the rising cost of living, which unions argue is leading to hunger and poverty in Africa’s most populous country. Armed forces have occupied the offices and refuse to leave. The ransacking took place on the same day as an NLC meeting, where the ongoing mass protests under the social media handle #EndBadGovernance were discussed.

During the meeting, the NLC highlighted that freedoms of assembly, association, expression, and speech were under threat, citing that police and security forces shot and killed 13 protesters and injured several others.

“The NLC condemns in the strongest terms the human rights violations perpetrated by security forces against peaceful protesters. The right to protest is a fundamental democratic right, and its suppression through violence is unacceptable. The attempt to criminalize protest is deplorable, especially in a democracy. The hiring and use of sponsored thugs and divisive propaganda to scuttle the protests is unfortunate,” the NLC said in a statement.

The mass action began when the government removed petroleum subsidies, sparking immediate protests from trade unions in 2023, including a national shutdown in June this year.

Furthermore, the NLC stated that the government must address the grievances of the workers and the people rather than resort to violence. It stressed that the government’s policies, backed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, were bringing misery to the people. According to the FGN’s National Bureau of Statistics, 63 per cent or over 133 million people face multidimensional poverty, which includes cooking with dung, wood, or charcoal rather than cleaner forms of energy. Additionally, there is inadequate access to healthcare, limited sanitation, food insecurity, and poor housing. The recently agreed-upon minimum wage of 70,000 Naira ($USD44) is not a living wage.

Joe Ajaero and Emmanuel Ugboaja, the NLC president and general secretary respectively, emphasized:

“We must maintain our commitment to non-violence and ensure that our actions are lawful and disciplined. The NLC remains committed to defending the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers and the broader population. We will not relent in our efforts to ensure that justice, equity, and good governance prevail in our nation.”

 Ajaero is also general secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), which is affiliated with IndustriALL Global Union.

 “The Federal Government of Nigeria must respect workers and human rights and stop the violence and intimidation. The government must also engage with the unions in social dialogue to find ways to end the crisis,”

said Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub-Saharan Africa.

IndustriALL affiliates that are members of the NLC include the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather, and Non-Metallic Employees (NUCFRLANMPE), National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), National Union of Textile, Garment, and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), and Steel and Engineering Workers of Nigeria (SEWUN).

Unions fight new Mauritius law exploiting migrant workers

In Mauritius, many migrant workers are trapped in debt bound to agents, repaying loans taken to cover exorbitant recruitment fees. Others endure appalling living conditions and face unfair labour practices and intimidation from employers, exposing them to forced labour.

Most migrant workers in Mauritius are employed in manufacturing, including textile and garment industries. They come from countries such as Bangladesh, India, Madagascar, China, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.

IndustriALL affiliate, the Confederation des Travailleurs des Secteurs Publique et Prive (CTSP), is actively campaigning against the amendments. The changes would exempt employers from contributing to migrant workers' retirement funds and social protection schemes. In protest, the union plans to picket outside the Ministry of Labour offices on 10 August, marking the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

Mauritian laws stipulate that migrant workers should enjoy the same terms and conditions of service as local workers. This includes protection under the Workers’ Rights Act (2019), which safeguards against discrimination based on gender, race, nationality, and sexual orientation.

The Employment Relations Act (2008) guarantees freedom of association, the right to organize, and collective bargaining. Additional laws protect workers' occupational health and safety rights.

According to the CTSP, the amendments undermine existing collective bargaining agreements and propose to reduce migrant workers' salaries by up to 20 per cent for work of equal value.

“Labour contractors will not contribute anything towards social protection and pensions, yet they will enjoy guaranteed cheap labour. Unions are against models that rely on cheap labour to the detriment of migrant workers,”

said Reeaz Chuttoo, CTSP president.

Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub Saharan Africa, emphasised:

“There is a need for social dialogue between the government, unions, and other stakeholders on the implications of these amendments. Laws should strengthen existing legislation, not undermine it. It is commendable that the CTSP has consistently protected workers’ rights in Mauritius through the Migrant Resource Centre, which the union operates at its office building.”

Zambian unions reject unjust laws stifling workers' rights

The unions say the proposed amendments take away the rights that workers are enjoying and replace them with unfair provisions that violates workers’ rights. For example, while the Act protects the right of workers to refuse a transfer and opt for a severance package, the proposed amendments allow for the termination of employment and reduced terminal benefits if a worker refuses a transfer.
 
Currently, the law allows for payment of gratuity for long service of up to 25 per cent of the wages earned during the contract period, while proposed amendments want to reduce the gratuity to below 16 per cent. Further, the amendments propose unpaid forced leave, summary dismissals with loss of benefits, and moving away from monthly to weekly pay without explaining why this is necessary.
 
The Zambian Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) said the proposed amendments are seeking to reverse the gains that trade unions have made in advancing workers’ rights and will make workers destitute.
 
The ZCTU, an IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, said the proposals are “working against the government’s desires to move the Zambian people out of poverty. Poverty eradication is only possible through stable and well-paid jobs. In addition to creating jobs, we also need to improve conditions for working women and men, but not earning enough to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.”
 
The unions’ rejection led the government to withdraw the amendments. Brenda Tambatamba, minister of labour and social security announced on 19 July that the government was withdrawing “the proposed amendments from the ministry of justice and suspending consultations until further notice.”
 
George Mumba, general secretary of the Mineworkers Union of Zambia, affiliated to IndustriALL said:

“It is unacceptable that the government of Zambia can propose amendments that brazenly violates workers’ rights. As trade unions we have fought hard for these rights and reject the anti-worker proposals that are a threat to the right to collective bargaining.”

Glen Mpufane, IndustriALL director of mining and lead for health and safety, said:  

“The right to refuse unsafe work is threatened by these proposed amendments. If a worker refuses to be transferred to do unsafe work, they can be dismissed. This violates national and international labour standards.”

Nigerian unions and federal government agree on new minimum wage

Unions wanted at least N250 000 ($156) which would have been a step towards a living wage. The previous minimum wage of N30 000 ($19) had become an outdated poverty wage eroded by high inflation. The last minimum wage review was done in 2018.

To push for the demands for new minimum wages, unions went on national strikes in 2023 and a national shutdown in June. One of the recommendations in the memorandum of understanding signed by the federal government with the unions was the setting up of a minimum wage committee. The unions argued that the low minimum wages had lost value and were no longer adequate against the increasing cost of living. Food prices and transport costs had hiked following the removal of petrol subsidies. Further, the unions wanted pro-poor economic policies and food security in one of Africa’s largest economies with a population of nearly 230 million people.

Unions cited Section 16 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in their campaigns and pickets for better wages. The Section calls for

“adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, a reasonable national living wage, old age care and pensions, unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens.”

Joe Ajaero, NLC president said the federation’s emergency national executive committee resolved to support the proposed minimum wages.

“This decision, though challenging and far from our initial demand, was made in the spirit of solidarity and sacrifice for Nigerian masses to avert a threatened further hike in the price of petrol which would inflict more hardship on the already suffering masses.”

Ajaero is also general secretary of IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE).

“We cautiously welcome the minimum wages and support the union's efforts towards a social contract that will improve wages in Nigeria,”

said Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub Saharan Africa.

NUMSA wins after strike at Ford Motor Company in South Africa

Despite the legal setback, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), whose members led the strike, successfully negotiated for a return to work and averted the job losses.
 
The union reached an agreement with the Ford management for a once off payment of R20 000 ($1089) to each worker, and not to take disciplinary action against the striking workers. The workers then resumed work on 12 July.
 
NUMSA, an IndustriALL affiliate, has 3,000 members out of a workforce of 5,500 workers at the Silverton plant. According to Ford, its operation supports over 60 000 indirect jobs on the value chain, and exports over 500 000 locally assembled Ford Ranger pick-up trucks.
 
The workers went on strike to demand profit-sharing in addition to bonuses after Ford Global declared profits of over $25 billion in the last financial year according to industry reports. NUMSA argued that only shareholders and management were benefiting from the profits and not the workers. The union stressed that Ford could afford the profit-sharing.
 
However, the union did not reach an agreement with the Ford management over the profit-sharing even after the case was brought before the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) on 11 June. The strike which began on 4 July, was then interdicted by the Labour Court, which ruled that the collective job action was unprotected according to the law.
 
NUMSA welcomed the agreement with the management.

“This is a victory for the workers. As a union we believe that the working class must benefit from the profit that is generated because workers create wealth. It would not have been possible if our members were not united in their demands,”

said Irvin Jim, NUMSA general secretary.
 

“Profit-sharing helps to cushion the South African automotive workers against the increasing cost of living. NUMSA is commended for continuing to stand for more benefits to the workers so that they can continue to afford looking after their families,”

said Paule France Ndessomin IndustriALL Sub-Saharan Africa regional secretary.

African trade unions to adopt strategies on critical transition minerals

Unions are advocating for the implementation of human rights due diligence and responsible business practices in the mining of critical minerals. Their goal is to mitigate the adverse impact of the transition on human rights and protect the rights of workers and communities. These were key issues discussed at the Just Transition and Human Rights Due Diligence forum in Lusaka, Zambia, on July 15-16.

The forum was hosted by the SSA regional office in partnership with the United Federation of Denmark (3F). Trade union leaders from IndustriALL Global Union affiliates in Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe agreed to use evidence-based strategies in their Just Transition plans. Labour research organizations also participated at the meeting.

To assist trade unions in formulating their strategies, the IndustriALL SSA regional office has commissioned research entitled: Mapping of green jobs, skills development, and the just energy transition which will look at the job creation potential in the renewable energy value chains and critical transition minerals with examples from South Africa. The research will be conducted by the Sam Tambani Research Institute (SATRI) – a research arm of IndustriALL affiliate, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).

Another research, which will be conducted by the Labour and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe (LEDRIZ), will focus on: Mapping the impact of investment flows in the labour and trade union rights in transitional minerals and renewable energy sectors in Zimbabwe. There will also be a research paper on the African Mining Vision (AMV) to analyze linkages between the AMV, critical transition minerals, and Just Transition. 

Unions in the energy sector agreed to cooperate on how to engage on the privatization of state-owned power utilities as the processes were similar across countries as they involved unbundling of the entities into generation, transmission, and distribution units.

Rhoda Boateng, program coordinator for climate change at ITUC Africa, said the main recommendations for trade unions at the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP) were to:

“Actively mobilize at sectoral and national levels for enhanced climate action, and to engage policy makers on the integration of Just Transition plans.” 

 
Bjorn Haar, 3F regional coordinator and representative said: 

“The aim is to ensure that during the transition workers and communities do not suffer due to job losses or declining economic activity within their communities, and that inequalities and adverse impacts are addressed. As trade unions we are obligated to make sure that real social dialogue is going on and that we have a well-organized labour market, that includes the informal sector.” 

Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for SSA said: 

“This forum is part of continuous dialogue for unions on the Just Transition and business and human rights in the energy, mining, and manufacturing industries, that will be affected by the transition to low carbon renewable energy sources.” 

“This forum is vital because companies must respect International Labour Organization fundamental rights at work and exercise due diligence across critical minerals supply chains. Further, unions must use collective bargaining as a key strategy to the transformative agenda,”    

 said Glen Mpufane, IndustriALL mining director. 

The critical transition minerals found in SSA include copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, bauxite, graphite, rare earth elements, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, zinc and silicon. 

Tanzanian unions engage on the national action plan on business and human rights

The organizations discussed the demands during the youth and business and human rights workshop which was organized by the IndustriALL's Sub-Saharan Africa regional office in partnership with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Tanzania office.

Tanzania Mines, Energy, Construction and Allied Workers Union (TAMICO) and Tanzania Union of Industrial and Commercial Workers  (TUICO), who are affiliated to IndustriALL, the Legal and Human Rights Centre, and Vibindo – an umbrella organization for informal sector associations, and trade union federations, the Trade Union Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA) and the Zanzibar Trade Union Congress engaged with the commission for human rights and good governance (CHRAGG) which is facilitating the NAP processes. They discussed how to make their submissions towards the NAP.

The unions, which organize workers in manufacturing, mining, commercial, and construction activities, want labour clauses to be included in the NAP to protect workers' rights. Other issues that should be promoted are conciliation and mediation, inclusion of women, youth and people with disabilities, and clauses that refer to the International Labour Organization's conventions such as Convention 190 to end violence and harassment in the world of work. Further, the NAP should promote gender equality, accountability of multinational companies including those from China, tax justice, and living wages.

Vibindo said they wanted the state to provide social protection, basic health insurance, accessible infrastructure and better trading areas for informal economy workers.

An online presentation by Maria Garcia Torrente, associate human rights officer, office of the United Nations high commissioner for human rights, highlighted how civil society organizations and trade unions can utilise special procedures.

Paternus Rwechungura, TAMICO general secretary said:

“The NAP process is an opportunity for trade unions to remind the government of its duty to protect workers by enforcing business compliance with labour laws.” 

Economic policies also impacted on business and human rights. For example, investment banks and international institutions including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), African Development Bank, and European Development Bank should be part of the conversations on business and human rights in Tanzania because they sometimes contribute to states' disregard for human rights through conditionalities that discourage social spending.

Elizabeth Bollrich, FES director for Tanzania urged unions to “bring their chairs to business and human rights conversations” to amplify workers’ voices and improve accountability.

“NAPs on business and human rights are emerging strategies that can be used to demand fundamental rights at work and decent working conditions. They are a crucial step towards compliance to human rights due diligence laws. It is therefore critical for unions and civil society organizations to be involved in the NAP policy processes,” 

said Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Sub-Saharan countries that have developed the national action plans are Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. The national action plans are based on the United Nations guiding principles on business and human rights, and the African Union is developing a continental policy on business and human rights.