Olu Olufayo, a Professor of Industrial Sociology and Labour Relations at Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has expressed worry over what he described as government interference in the affairs of organised labour in the country.
Olufayo, who said this while delivering the 95th inaugural lecture of the institution titled ‘Apes Obey: The Conspiracy and Gradual Annihilation of Organised Labour in Bedridden Nigeria’, noted that government interference in affairs of organised poses a danger in union matters if not checked. He argued that excessive government involvement is a significant factor undermining sincerity and transparency within the union space, through various tactics and administrative deceptions employed by the government to weaken and control trade unions.
The university don explained that the government only obeys laws that are convenient for them, saying that such indices should not be extended to the affairs of organised labour, such as industrial unions, craft unions, trade unions, among others, in the country. This is the primary reason insincerity thrives within the union space. Where the government is the largest employer of labour, it is hardly expected that it can meet every obligation; hence, all tactics and forms of administrative chicanery are adopted to contain the unions. The government only obeys the laws when it is convenient for them. This also must stop. There are no separate laws for the rich and the poor.
He also called for adherence to disciplinary measures for offenders, regardless of their status and class, stating that this would strengthen the trust placed in the unions. “There are disciplinary measures in every labour law against offenders which must be adhered to strictly. Where some members are treated as sacred cows, it creates a situation of mutual suspicion, jealousy, and envy, which are the three most essential ingredients of disharmony. This is how sycophancy breeds itself, and union apes are born,” he added.
