UNIONIZATION/INFORMAL SECTOR ORGANIZATION
The union continues to intensify effort on unionisation in both the formal and informal sectors. Organising and recruitment remains the bedrock of the union. This is also taking a new dimension as trade unions strengthen informal sector organising. The union is making steady strides in organising all categories of workers in the textile and allied sector. The first set of self-employed tailors were organised in Lagos in 2005. Since then several branches have been consummated in Benue State, Kaduna State, and Edo State among others.
ORGANISING POLICY
The union in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has successfully developed a Policy on organizing the Informal Sector workers (Self-employed tailors and small scale garment makers). A 2-day Policy Development Workshop took place at the Academy Guest House and Events Halls, Ikeja Lagos from Monday 19th to Tuesday 20th April, 2021 with 20 participants in attendance including representatives of the self-employed tailors. It was part of the union’s effort to relook at its organizing strategies and explore new ways of building union strength among workers particularly in the informal economy.
The developed policy was validated at the 1-day Policy Validation Workshop held at the Chimcherry Hotel, Kaduna, Kaduna State on Thursday 27 May, 2021. The workshop attracted 33 participants made up of representatives of the self-employed tailors and garment makers and branches of the union across the country. Participants unanimously accepted the draft policy and the recommended policy measures with commitment from both the union and the self-employed tailors and garment makers to work towards its successful implementation.
Some of the key recommendations include the need for an affirmative action to create a position of Deputy President of the union to be exclusively reserved for the self-employed/informal workers. This is to give the self employed tailors some sense of belonging and consistent with the spirit and content of the union’s Constitution.
The Policy has been approved by the relevant Organs of the union namely, National Administrative Council (NAC), Central Working Committee (CWC) and the National Executive Council (NEC). The final approval will be made by the National Delegates’ Conference in 2024.
We thank the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for supporting in making the union’s Policy on Organizing a reality.
