Business
ICJ Affirms Right to Strike as Global Landmark Victory, Sparks Debate Between Labor and NECA
BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—The organized labor movement on Monday hailed a recent ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) confirming that the right to strike is implicit in Convention 87 as a landmark victory for workers worldwide.
However, the ruling has sparked a fresh domestic debate, with labor representatives strongly criticizing the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) for attempting to downplay the judgment’s impact.
The controversy escalated following a television appearance by the Director-General of NECA, Mr. Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde.
Speaking on TVC, Oyerinde argued that the right to strike is not automatic and asserted that workers must still adhere strictly to existing local labor laws, specifically citing Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act (TDA).
He also suggested that a meeting of social partners to establish complimentary conditions remains a necessary precondition before any strike action can be declared.
Labor representatives quickly fired back, labeling Oyerinde’s remarks as an “unnecessary academic exercise in futility” and a selective interpretation of international law. Critics accused the NECA boss of being economical with the historical background of the dispute, pointing out that the issue had already undergone exhaustive debate across various levels of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The legal battle began when the global Employers’ Group challenged whether the right to strike was protected under Convention 87.
After the ILO Governing Board affirmed the right through a majority decision, the Employers’ Group appealed the matter to the ICJ. As the highest judicial body in the world, the ICJ’s subsequent ruling in favor of workers is considered definitive and legally binding.
Labor advocates emphasize that Nigeria ratified Convention 87 in 1960, signaling a long-standing commitment to its principles. They argue that following the ICJ’s conclusive verdict, both the Nigerian government and employer bodies like NECA are obligated to obey the law unconditionally rather than selectively hiding behind local statutes to weaken workers’ rights.
Reassuring the public and the business community, labor stakeholders maintained that a strike has never been the first option for workers, but rather a last resort. They cautioned that an adversarial interpretation of the ICJ ruling by employers would only harm industrial harmony, urging instead for mutual respect and total adherence to international legal frameworks to guide future industrial relations in Nigeria.
The post ICJ Affirms Right to Strike as Global Landmark Victory, Sparks Debate Between Labor and NECA appeared first on Business Today NG.
The Federal Government has paid outstanding severance benefits to 2,100 former workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways, more than two decades after the national carrier was liquidated.
The payment covers beneficiaries in Batches 1 to 7, according to a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance on Friday.
Another 600 former workers in Batches 8 and 9 are being processed for payment and are expected to receive their benefits within days, bringing the total number of beneficiaries under the exercise to 2,700.
The ministry said the benefits across the nine batches amount to N18 billion.
Nigeria Airways, which was established in 1958 as the country’s national carrier, ceased operations in 2003 and was liquidated in 2004. Many former workers subsequently spent years pursuing unpaid terminal and severance benefits.
The latest payment follows years of demands by former workers and interventions by the National Assembly and successive administrations over the outstanding liabilities.
In January 2025, the National Assembly Joint Committee on Aviation said the Federal Government owed former Nigeria Airways workers N36 billion and threatened to withhold approval of the aviation budget unless provisions were made for the payment.
How the payment was made
The Ministry of Finance said President Bola Tinubu had earlier approved the settlement of the outstanding severance obligations and directed that the matter be concluded.
Under the direction of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, the ministry said processes were undertaken to identify eligible beneficiaries, validate records and establish the financial obligations before payments commenced.
Mr Oyedele said the payment was part of the government’s effort to address legitimate outstanding obligations.
“Behind these figures are people and families who have waited for years to receive what is legitimately due to them,” he said.
“Our responsibility is to confront outstanding obligations, complete the necessary processes and, once the resources are secured, ensure that the people affected feel the impact of government positively.”
He said the exercise demonstrated what could be achieved when government institutions worked together to resolve longstanding issues.
READ ALSO: NASS panel threatens to withhold aviation budget until Ex-Nigerian Airways workers are paid
The ministry also acknowledged the involvement of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, and the National Assembly Joint Committees on Aviation in efforts to resolve the matter.
The ministry said the objective was to ensure that legitimate beneficiaries received their approved entitlements while maintaining safeguards around public funds.
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