TUC pickets Abuja Continental Hotel

On Monday, the Nigeria — Action Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and its affiliate, the Hotel and Personal Service Senior Staff Association, picketed the Abuja Continental Hotel over alleged unfair labour practices, indecent working conditions, and denial of workers' rights to unionise and collective bargaining. The union blocked the hotel entrance for about two hours, preventing vehicles from entering and leaving. TUC secretary-general Nuhu Toro said the union had exhausted dialogue efforts after writing to management on August 4, but management postponed discussions until the end of November due to renovations. The union demanded workers' rights to unionisation and collective bargaining as guaranteed under Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution. William Adegbe, national president of HAFSA, alleged similar unionisation disputes at Continental Hotel in Lagos and that workers were denied conditions of service after new investors took over. Some workers, represented by Samuel Esiakpoyere, opposed the unionisation, saying management was improving welfare. The picketing was expected to continue until Friday, with police and United States — United States Department of State present. The union accused management of treating workers like slaves, while management denied the allegations.