A fresh dispute over workers’ unionisation has emerged at the Abuja Continental Hotel, with employees reportedly distancing themselves from planned industrial action by organised labour over alleged unfair labour practices and restrictions on union activities.
The Hotel and Personal Service Senior Staff Association, an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), is seeking to picket the hotel over claims relating to workers’ rights, freedom of association, working conditions and the alleged denial of employees’ access to trade union representation.
The development followed a warning by TUC President, Festus Osifo, that hotels allegedly preventing workers from joining unions could face industrial action. Abuja Continental Hotel was among the establishments specifically mentioned in connection with the dispute.
However, workers reportedly outsourced to the hotel by various companies have rejected the planned picketing, saying the proposed action does not reflect their position or interests.
Speaking on behalf of the workers, Samuel Esiakpoyere said employees had consciously chosen not to participate in the action, stressing that workers should have the freedom to determine whether they want to belong to a trade union.
The workers referenced Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees citizens’ freedom of association, arguing that union membership should remain a matter of individual choice rather than compulsion.
They also pointed to provisions in the TUC constitution which recognise the voluntary nature of union membership.
The employees said they were satisfied with their existing welfare arrangements, including regular payment of salaries, health maintenance organisation coverage and other staff benefits. They added that the hotel maintained internal channels through which workers could raise concerns and resolve workplace issues.
According to the workers, there was therefore no immediate need for external union intervention or industrial action, as they believed their welfare and employment interests were being adequately addressed through existing mechanisms.
They also rejected allegations that hotel management had prevented employees from exercising their freedom of association, maintaining that management had remained receptive to workers’ concerns and maintained an open-door approach.
The workers further described organised labour as an important institution in protecting employees’ rights and promoting better working conditions, but maintained that any union representation should reflect the wishes of the workers concerned.
They expressed confidence in the hotel management’s commitment to staff welfare, career development and a conducive working environment, saying the relationship between employees and management was contributing to efforts to strengthen the hotel’s position within Abuja’s hospitality sector.
The employees also assured guests, clients and business partners that the labour dispute would not affect normal operations at the hotel.
The controversy highlights the growing tension surrounding unionisation within Nigeria’s hospitality sector, where organised labour is seeking greater access to workers while some employees and employers maintain that workplace concerns can be handled through existing internal structures.
The dispute could further test the balance between workers’ constitutional freedom of association, employers’ responsibilities and the rights of trade unions to organise employees in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive hospitality industry.
