Tuesday failed to reach an agreement on whether or not labour union leaders should be stopped from taking unilateral decisions on industrial action.

Leading the debate on a bill seeking an act to further amend the Trade Unions Act 2005 (as amended) to make provisions for ballot as a requirement before any action taken by trade unions and other matters connected therewith, Heineken Lokpobori (PDP, Bayelsa West) said workers have the right to go on strike and that the National Assembly had made a law protecting the employees who have legitimate right where there is a legitimate trade dispute to go on strike.”

He said there have to be a consensus between the employee and the union on whether or not to embark on the strike and “the only way that can be done is for ballot to be introduced.”

“The gamut of this amendment is to bring the practice of industrial action in trade unionism in line with global best practices as obtainable in Great Britain, USA, Canada, France, Belgium, South Africa, etc.”

“The requirement of agreement on the part of a simple majority of the members of a union makes it imperative for a ballot as contained in this proposed amendment. This amendment accordingly provides that an act done by a trade union to induce a person to take part in industrial action should have the support of a ballot. For any strike to see the light of the day, it should enjoy the well-intentioned support of members of the unions,” Mr Lokpobori said.

1025: Bill In The House For Votes To Be Held Before Strike


our national assemble is on a bill that will make nigerians vote before any strike could take place in nigeria.
is this not madness? mr. jonathan can decideto increase pump price without our votes.
what is joanthan up to and what does he want from nigerians?

mikuz: Only that?
Why dont they go ahead to pass a bill that would make strike actions illegal?
Useless!

mukina2:

Heineken Lokpobori (PDP, Bayelsa West)

hunsu: They consistently act as if they will forever be in power.Obahiagbon is a good example(joined labour to fight fuel hike)

niddamugu:

That is where they are going. Besides, are they not creating additional job for JEGA? What will be the cost of the election? Printing of ballot papers, rigging, election tribunals, in fact they are short of creative ideas.

mukina2:

http://www.channelstv.com/home/2012/03/14/senate-divided-over-bill-to-control-labour-strikes/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

hunsu: They consistently act as if they will forever be in power.Obahiagbon is a good example(joined labour to fight fuel hike)