The Joint Health Sector Union has said that the National Industrial Relations Policy recently announced by the Federal Government negates workers’ rights.

This was disclosed in a statement by JOHESU.

The union was reacting to a statement attributed to information minister Mohammed Idris, following a Federal Executive Council meeting held on July 31 regarding the new National Industrial Relations Policy in Nigeria.

The union posited that the government’s position on the policy negates the fundamental right of workers to freedom of association and to embark on a lawful  strike.

According to the union, the rights are guaranteed under the International Labour Organisation Convention 87, adopted in 1948, of which Nigeria is a signatory and has since been domesticated.

“JOHESU is particularly worried that the policy is targeted at workers and their trade union organisations. It is rather unfortunate that the organised labour has been serially blackmailed by the ruling class as being responsible for industrial actions,” the union said.

JOHESU noted that while it is not averse to having a robust National Industrial Relations Policy, it must, however, be subjected to further scrutiny and input from the tripartite partners.

The union, therefore, urged the government to activate and strengthen the National Labour Advisory Council for effective and sustainable tripartite engagements.

Such engagement, according to the union, will ensure best practices in labour administration and adherence to international labour standards and extant labour laws in Nigeria.

(NAN)