Falana Faults Govt Over Strikes, Says Labour Actions Justified

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has accused the federal government of being responsible for the frequent strikes by Nigerian workers, arguing that such industrial actions are the inevitable result of official negligence and disregard for workers’ rights.

Speaking on the ARISE TV Morning show on Monday, Falana said most strikes, including those recently embarked upon by oil sector unions such as PENGASSAN and NUPENG, could have been avoided if the government had acted promptly and honoured existing labour agreements.

He said the law provides mechanisms for resolving disputes before they escalate, but officials often ignore them.

“The two strikes were avoidable. When you allow workers to go on strike over matters that have been settled since the colonial days, then the blame lies with the government,” Falana stated.

The senior lawyer dismissed claims that the oil and gas unions were sabotaging the economy or threatening national security, saying such narratives were both misleading and unfair.

According to him, the right to unionise and embark on collective bargaining is not only guaranteed under Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution but also protected by international conventions Nigeria has ratified through the International Labour Organisation.

“Unionisation is a constitutional right and part of Nigeria’s global obligations. Workers have been organising since 1912, before the country was even amalgamated. It’s too late in the day to say we are not going to allow unions,” he said.

On the controversy surrounding mass sackings in the oil and gas industry, Falana clarified that the issue at stake was not about union rights but about unfair treatment of workers. He said once an employee joins any enterprise, the law automatically entitles junior workers to union representation.

He also rejected attempts to portray labour leaders as corrupt or excessively powerful, describing such claims as politically motivated.

“I don’t know any of them who can be called a billionaire. What matters is that everyone must operate under the law,” he said.

Falana recalled that the Obasanjo administration once attempted to weaken the labour movement by breaking up unions but noted that worsening economic hardship has since forced the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to unite in defending workers’ welfare.

He emphasised that PENGASSAN and NUPENG, in particular, are responsible organisations that resort to strikes only after exhausting all legal and institutional channels.

“They won’t go on strike without reason. Given their crucial role in the economy, the government must do much more to engage them and prevent industrial disputes,” he stressed.

Calling for renewed dialogue between labour and employers, Falana said workers should be recognised as stakeholders in the success of companies, not merely as tools of production. He cited international court precedents that acknowledge workers’ contributions as vital to a company’s survival.

He also dismissed suggestions that unions misuse check-off dues, insisting that the funds are used for the welfare of members in times of distress.

“PENGASSAN does not collect ‘pimpillion’ in check-off dues. They use it to support workers who are sick or in need,” he explained.

Falana further urged the government to strengthen social dialogue with the labour movement, describing cooperation and mutual respect as the only path to industrial peace and national progress.