Notwithstanding the function of a National Labour Centre as provided in the Labour Unions Act, Cap 228, NOTU shall stand and operate on the following main objectives;
- To Advance, Advocate, protect, and defend workers’ rights in the formal and informal sectors of work, including migrant workers, platform/gig economy workers, refugees and displaced persons.
- To promote affiliates’ social, economic, and well-being and political interests.
- To enhance capacity building, training, skilling and retraining of workers and Unions for decent work, economic growth, Business and human rights observance, climate change, just transition and sustainable development.
- To build Trade Union power, density and solidarity through organizing, recruitment and education.
- To build a strong and bigger membership and a viable financial base
- To engage Global Capital for labour-responsive policies, practices, trade and investments through Global Framework Agreements (GFAs).
- To advocate for strong labour standards, policies and legislation.
- To offer legal services to her affiliates as a means of promoting accessible justice to vulnerable workers.
However, in line with the Labour Unions Act, Cap 228, NOTU is established for any lawful purpose, including the following—
- To formulate policy relating to the proper management of labour unions and the general welfare of employees;
- To coordinate and supervise the activities of the federation to ensure that undertakings entered into by individual unions or by a federation of labour unions on behalf of its affiliated labour unions are duly honoured;
- To plan for and administer, in collaboration with other interested bodies or persons, workers’ education programmes;
- To mainstream gender concerns in management and the activities of labour unions;
- To monitor the implementation of gender responsive provisions on the promotion of equal treatment, remuneration, training and capacity building in labour unions;
- To serve as a link between registered labour unions, the Government and international organisations in all matters of mutual interest;
- To serve generally as a consultant on all matters relating to labour union affairs; and
- To affiliate with national and international federations of labour unions.