The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged courts to play a more active role in shielding workers from exploitation, warning that unfair practices and widening power imbalances between employers and employees are increasing.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the call on Thursday during the 4th International Labour Adjudication and Arbitration Forum organised in Abuja by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA).
Speaking at the forum, themed “Access to Labour Justice in a Rapidly Changing World of Work”, Ajaero said labour justice has become increasingly contested amid precarious employment, gig work, and union-busting practices that undermine workers’ rights.
“In a rapidly changing world of work, labour justice is increasingly contested, as exploitation, precarious employment, and union-busting continue to undermine workers’ dignity,” he said, adding that justice often appears to favour employers, leaving workers vulnerable in both the public and private sectors.
He stressed that labour justice is not a concession from employers or government but a fundamental right secured through workers’ struggles.
“Workers’ rights are human rights and must be recognised, respected, and protected across all workplaces,” he said.
Ajaero identified ignorance of labour rights as a key barrier to justice and urged employers to educate staff about their rights and responsibilities, noting that informed workplaces experience fewer disputes and stronger industrial harmony.
He also called on the judiciary to take into account the inherent imbalance of power between individual workers and large employers when resolving disputes, warning that failure to do so could legitimise unfair dismissals and criminalise lawful industrial action.
The NLC president urged judges and arbitrators to uphold international standards, including conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) on freedom of association and collective bargaining, and to recognise the right to strike as a fundamental human right.
He commended NECA for sustaining the forum and reaffirmed the congress’s commitment to dialogue aimed at improving workplace justice nationwide.
