The Nation Newspaper

Category: Labour

  • NLC seeks more pay for workers to cushion recession

    Labour has demanded an increase in workers’ pay to cushion recession. At the 15th Harmattan School, a training for labour leaders in Kaduna, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Comrade Ayuba Wabba said workers’ purchasing power had reduced and was affecting other sectors of the economy. He said unless there is a new wage regime, the contributory pension scheme (CPS) would not be a reality.

    Wabba noted that developments in the economy, such as the increase in the pump price of petroleum products, rise in prices of commodities, increased tariff on utilities, and social services have made the demand more urgent.

    The fight against corruption, he said, would  be more successful if workers are well paid, adding that the foot-dragging by the government in constituting a committee to deliberate on the demand was uncalled for.

    Wabba said the CPS  would enhance life after retirement for workers. He enjoined the legislature to be fair in the  passage of its bill to make it practicable and sustainable.

    “In most cases, both the government and capitalists perceive us as liabilities or as if we are part of the problem. But we are not part of the problem; rather, we are the solution.

    “The capitalists see labour union as opposition. They see us as a threat, but no matter what, we always fight for our rights,” Wabba said.

    He expressed NLC’s concern at the free-fall of the naira and the abortive efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to arrest the trend.

    The NLC president said the Union noted the harm and pain the massive devaluation and the attendant inflation have wrought on millions of families across the country.

    “We noted that this situation may escalate into a state of national panic except a solution to the economic malaise is found soon. We urge the government to take all measures necessary to arrest the recession and turn the economy around.

    “This includes recovering the un-remitted bail-out fund given to commercial banks by government with no re-payment reschedule and the billions of naira similarly given as bail-out to private airlines with nothing to show for it.

    “We urge the government to sustain its war against corruption by ensuring good governance and the prosecution of all corrupt cases and recovery of stolen funds,” Wabba said.

    He added that labour is worried over the destruction of critical oil infrastructure in the Niger Delta by militants in pursuance of a redress for decades of degradation of the Niger Delta region by oil exploration.

    He noted that the deployment of violence in prosecution of an otherwise noble cause is not in the overall interest of Nigerians or Niger Deltans, as this violence has led to further degradation of the environment, loss of lives and revenue to the nation.

  • How to revive economy, by union leader

    The General Secretary, Nigeria Textile Union and Vice President (Africa) of the IndustriALL Global Union, Comrade Issa Aremu, has urged the Federal Government to revive key industries for rapid industrialisation, job creation and poverty reduction.

    He made the call at a press briefing in Abuja to mark the 2016 Africa Industrialisation Day with the theme: Back to Basics: Revival of Basic Industries and Creation of Sustainable Employment.

    Aremu urged the government to make electricity supply steady to drive the industries.

    He said it was imperative for the government to diversify the economy and chart a road map to encourage industrialisation so as to exit recession.

    “The sectors include textile, garment, oil and gas, power, steel, engineering, solid minerals among others,” he said.

    Aremu implored  the  government to implement the 2014 National Industrial Revolution Plan for the country’s  growth.

    He noted that major stakeholders  agreed on the plan, pointing out that Nigeria is not short of development policies, but rather lacked the will to properly implement its many development policies.

    Aremu said it was unfortunate that many  years after their independence, African nations were still exporting their raw materials instead of adding value to them.

    According to him,  it is time for African countries to start processing their raw materials locally in order to generate employment and create wealth.

    He enjoined security agencies to curb smuggling across borders, noting that smugglers are undermining the growth of local manufacturing.

    Highlight of the activities to mark the 2016 Africa Industrialisation Day observed on November 21 include march for industrialisation, job creation and revival of the textile industries.

    Members of the union marched from Eagle Square to Yar’adua Centre, Abuja, chanting labour slogans and displaying various placards bearing their demands from the government.

    Some of the placards read: “Industry key to mass decent jobs,” “Copy China,” “re-industrialise Nigeria,”“Nigerians stop smuggling fake and counterfeiting of textiles,” “Buy quality, save jobs, buy Made-in-Nigeria,” “Africa produce what you can consume,” “consume what you produce,” amongst others.

  • Recession: Fed Govt solicits Labour leaders’ support

    Recession: Fed Govt solicits Labour leaders’ support

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, has urged stakeholders in the labour sector to support Fthe ederal Government’s efforts at minimising the adverse effects of recession on Nigerian workers.

    The minister stated this in Abuja, during the week, while declaring open the 4th Registrar of Trade Unions Annual Workshop with the theme The Role of Social Partners in Combating the Challenges of Economic Recession.

    He said a lot needed to be done to stem the tide of recession and that stakeholders in industrial relations ought to come together to proffer ways of minimising it.

    Ngige noted that workers bear the brunt of recession with the survival of trade unions threatened, and  downsising, redundancy, casualisation and indecent work, among others, on the increase.

    Ngige expressed optimism that various actions spearheaded by the Federal Government will improve economic activities and steer the nation’s economy out of recession.

    He advised stakeholders in the labour sector to bargain in good faith, open communication and appropriate disclosure of relevant information devoid of deceit, delay and denial.

    The representative of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mrs. Adenike Ajala, stated that despite the current economic situation, the organised private sector is committed to ensuring that they provide decent working environment for workers.

  • NECA hails govt decision on FRC’s policy

    The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has praised the Federal Government on its decision to suspend the Financial Reporting Council (FRCN)’s recently released Code of Corporate Governance.

    NECA considered the action appropriate in view of the failure of FRC to secure the buy-in of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) on such important guideline.

    Commenting on the development, the Director-General of NECA, Olusegun Oshinowo, said it was disheartening that the FRC went ahead to release the code without respect to the outcome of social dialogue and engagement with stakeholders.

    Oshinowo said:”The timely intervention by the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment is a testimony of the avowed commitment of the Federal Government to work with the Private Sector in the resuscitation of the economy.

    “NECA is hopeful that other agencies of government will pick learning points from the development in seeing the private sector as critical stakeholders and partners in progress with major stakes in the progress of the economy and country as a whole.”

    Last week, NECA faulted the new Code of Corporate Governance of the Financial Reporting Council (FRCN) which prohibits the chief executive officer of an establishment from becoming the chairman until seven years on the position.

    The provision called “Cool off period” has generated mixed feeling among stakeholders.

    Oshinowo  said there is no justification for the restriction on MD/CEO becoming the chairman of the same company until after the cool off period of seven years as stated in Section 6 of the Code for Private Sector.”

    He said: “Some companies are formed by one or two shareholders with the vision of what they intend to achieve. What stops such investor that has served meritoriously as the MD/CEO from becoming the chairman upon retirement if so appointed by the board?”

  • Union protests over N150m loan misappropriation

    The Association of Agricultural and Allied Employees Union of Nigeria (AAEUN) has protested over the alleged misappropriation of its fund by the National President, Comrade Simon Anchaver.

    The protest, which took place at the premises of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Iyaganku, Ibadan, involved state leaders and members.

    During the protest, the Lagos State Chairman of the union, Comrade Obafemi Oyenubi, alleged that the national president took a loan of N150 million on behalf of other members from Heritage Bank without their consent.

    He said the document, which was presented to them, showed that the money was for the purchase of the union’s national secretariat in Abuja, adding that the money was, however, diverted into private pockets.

    “This fraud was discovered when the bank started calling us individually to start paying the loan. So, we engaged the bank to find out what was happening and we were told that Comrade Anchaver obtained a loan on our behalf, with our pictures and without our consent.

    “We wrote a petition to the Economic and Financilal Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the former president of the union, Comrade Anchaver, who wrote our names, about 102 of us, opened an account on our behalf and obtained a loan to the tune of N150 million. We brought it to EFCC because we know that what he did was wrong and it is a criminal offence,” Oyenubi said.

    Oyenubi said the EFCC invited the two parties and promised to look into the issue critically.

    He said other national executives of the union were involved and have saying what they know about the case.

    He urged the EFCC to address the issues without bias, adding that they should emulate the current administration in tackling corruption.

    Speaking with The Nation, Comrade Anchaver admitted the allegation. He, however, said that the issue would be addressed.

  • SSANU demands sacked colleagues’ reinstatement

    SSANU demands sacked colleagues’ reinstatement

    Lagos State University Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU-LASU) has reacted to the sacking of 23 colleagues by the management of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB).

    Aside seeking their members’ reinstatement, the union also asked the Federal Government to walk its talk in its fight against corruption by setting up a high-powered visitation panel to look into the financial activities of the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof Oyewole Bandele Olusola.

    Speaking exclusively with The Nation in Lagos, SSANU-Lagos State University Chairman Comrade Oseni Saheed said it was unfortunate that the government allowed FUNAAB management that is under investigation to exercise power by sacking their members.

    Oseni said: “This is worrisome. If an allegation of corruption has been leveled against somebody, the onus lies on that person to prove his innocence. Once the allegations are established, the best thing is to ask that person to step aside pending the conclusion of the investigation.”

    The Governing Council of FUNAAB) sacked 18 SSANU members and relieved five others of their appointment.

    Those axed included the trio of Lasun Somoye, Abdusalaam Sobbor and E. A. Bankole, who reportedly wrote a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in July, detailing alleged financial recklessness of the management.

    The development led to the invitation of Oyewole by the EFCC and later, seizure of his international passport.

    Ten executive members of FUNAAB, led by their chairman, Rotimi Fasunwon, in addition to five other members, also got the boot.

    In August, Somoye, Sobbor and Bankole were asked to proceed on indefinite suspension. The action angered SSANU FUNAAB and triggered a renewed protest that led to the union members shunning work before the sack.

    Though the management has described the step as a ‘re-organisation in the university system’, Oseni said the management was being economical with the truth, adding that the purported sack was to silence the whistleblowers and their colleagues who solidarised with them.

    The union said the management’s action showed that it was encouraged by some powerful elements in government.

    “Since investigation is on, and EFCC has seized the Vice Chancellor’s passport, therefore,  we should not allow the person to be in the saddle so he doesn’t continue to obstruct investigation by wielding the big stick against whistleblowers.

    “The administration has said it is committed to fighting corruption, so if government wants to make good its promise, FUNAAB case needs serious attention. Anything short of that is double standard,” the union said.

  • Experts pick holes in policies on job creation

    The rising unemployment rate in Nigeria has been traced to the anti-job creation policies of the government, experts, have said. They argued that Nigeria, with an estimated population of 180 million, is battling with 49.5 per cent youth unemployment rate as at the second quarter  of 2016.

    The experts and stakeholders, who spoke in Lagos at the WorldStage Economic Summit, with the theme: Addressing unemployment crisis in Nigeria, urged the government to carry out a major review of its economic policies.

    Dr. Femi Saibu of the Department of Economics, University of Lagos, Akoka, who presented the lead paper, drew attention to the policy on ICT revolution, saying it was employment destructive, service oriented and not production/manufacturing oriented.

    ‘’The government’s direct employment policy only created few jobs  while the series of youth entrepreneurship scheme across the country including ‘You Win’ always ended up creating social media entrepreneurs with no employment multiplier,’’ he said.

    Moreover, he said the Small and Medium Enterprises Credit Guarantee Scheme has failed to achieve its objective, as the funds were difficult to access. He said apart from being politicised, people saw it as share of national cake.

    Research & Advocacy, Executive Director, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, Mr Sunday  Oduntan, in his presentation, Getting the power sector right to boost productivity, said the power sector was facing many surmountable challenges that had made it unable to play its role as the engine of growth for job creation.

    His words: “The whole electricity supply chain still remains comatose; the promised increased generation and reliability as part of privatisation –has not happened; generation continued to hover between 3, 000 and 4, 000Megawatts. Energy theft and meter by-passing are very rampant. There is insufficient number of meters due to liquidity gap and massive shortfalls.”

    He said the Electricity Generating Companies (GENCOs) have been bedeviled by issues around gas supply such as high cost of gas, vandalisation of gas pipelines, including delay and frustration in construction of power plants.

    He said there was hope for the sector if some milestones, such as funding of liquidity by subsidy & private sector fund, incremental generation, stability and security in generation could be achieved.

    The Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO) boss, who was represented by Dr Dele Oyeku, Director, Extension & Linkage, said there was no reason why Nigeria should be facing unemployment crisis if government could implement the research findings of institutions such as FIIRO.

    For instance, he said there was an initiative on cassava substitution for wheat in baking which can generate millions of jobs across the country.

    The Cnief Executive Officer of Crown Natures, Mrs.Omolara  Aromolaran, who spoke on Addressing youth unemployment through capacity building and skill acquisition, said: “Our problems as a nation will come to an end once we become a manufacturing state.”

    She also noted that Nigeria and Nigerians needed to start producing what are essential to enhance the economy and create jobs.

    “Nigeria has always been a country that tackles problems with one strategy. The situation requires us to tackle it with multi strategies, whatever we can do individually should be done, and little by little, we shall begin to see our problems getting solved. The situation on ground is not new, but we  need Nigerians to realise that every individual has a part to play in economic rejuvenation.”

    Welcoming participants, the President/CEO, WorldStage Limited, Segun Adeleye, said the alarming rate of unemployment in Nigeria should not only be of great concern to the government, but also to the private sector and other critical stakeholders in the economy.

  • Unemployment: UNIDO canvasses more support for SMEs

    Unemployment: UNIDO canvasses more support for SMEs

    As Nigerians grapple with poverty and growing unemployment, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), has urged Federal and state governments to increase their support for entrepreneurship and industrial development by putting in place more business- friendly policies and incentives.

    The Officer in Charge, UNIDO Regional Office, Nigeria, Dr. Chuma Ezedinma, made the call during the UNIDO HP LIFE Stakeholders Workshop in Abuja.

    Participants included representatives of federal and state Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the government, private sector, non-profit organisations and the academia.

    Ezedinma noted that entrepreneurship and industrialisation were two important ingredients for tackling poverty and unemployment, adding that UNIDO would continue to support and partner the government and private sector to promote Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID) in the country.

    He said: “Entrepreneurship and industrialisation are two important ingredients for stimulating economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction in both developed economies and economies in transition including Nigeria. In fact, successful small businesses are the primary engines for job creation, income growth, and poverty reduction. Small businesses broaden the base of participation in society, create jobs, decentralise economic power, and give people a stake in the future.”

    Ezedinma said the government’s support for entrepreneurship and industrial development was crucial for economic development.

    “The government needs to encourage entrepreneurship and small businesses through its tax policy (corporate tax rate reductions, tax credits for investment and tax holidays), regulatory policy (simpler regulatory processes and reducing the cost of compliance with government regulations), access to capital (here the proposed development commercial banks can be of assistance), and the legal protection of property rights,” he said.

    The Entrepreneurship Expert and Team Leader, UNIDO HP LIFE Project, UNIDO Regional Office, Nigeria, Mr. Francis Ukoh, said the  project was in line with the government’s strategy as outlined in the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) to combat high youth and women unemployment and enhance the growth and competitiveness of Nigeria’s private sector.

  • Lawmaker decries low allocation to employment-creating agencies

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Labour and Employment, Senator Sulaiman Nazif, has said it is worrisome that agencies created to stimulate employment are only getting three percent of their annual budget.

    Sulaiman stated this during the Senate Committee’s visit to the National Directorate of Employment (NDE). The committee also visited the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), and National Productivity Centre.

    He called for improved allocation for the ministry‘s agencies, stressing that job creation is paramount as people are in dire need of employment.

    He expressed the committee’s readiness to support the NDE in its drive to create employment for the teeming unemployed youths.

    “If there is any area you need some amendments to the Act that established NDE, we are here to assist you in that regard for maximum performance,” he assured.

    He  commended parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment for prudent use of limited resources at their disposal for maximal service delivery.

  • Union seeks N25,000 minimum pension

    The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has demanded for N25,000 as new minimum pension.

    The union said it is sad that many pensioners were still paid less than N5,000 monthly, even with the high rate of inflation and recession.

    Its President, Comrade Abel Afolayan, while addressing the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union in Abuja, said many state pensioners were being owed over 12 months arrears of pension.

    He, however, praised the governors of Lagos, Jigawa, Anambra, Enugu and Yobe states for not owing  pensioners. He urged defaulting governors and states to make amend.

    “We want you to make amend so that old men will not be forced to pronounce curses on you with their grey hair,” he said.

    While the NUP is demanding N25,000 as the new national minimum pension per month, the union also canvassed immediate payment of the 18 months arrears of the 33 per cent pension to civil pensioners and 39 months areas owed police pensioners.

    On their new demand, Afolayan declared that it was criminal for a pensioner to collect less than N5,000 monthly in this time of serious economic recession.

    He said the union entered into a long negotiation with the Federal Government for the upward review of pension, which finally yielded result when former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) directed the salaries, incomes and wages commission to issue a circular for 33 per cent pension increase effective from July 1, 2010.

    “Since then, civilian pensioners throughout the country were paid 24 months, out of the 42 months arrears, remaining a balance of 18 months  of which we have a very good assurance that government will pay the balance soonest,’’ he said.

    The NUP chief added that the union is still struggling to ensure that police, NIPOST, electricity, railways, universities pensioners and others who are yet to get full benefit from the government are paid fully. He assured pensioners across the country that the union would not rest until all of them who are owed get their pensions.

    In a related event, NUP, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Port Harcourt branch, has linked the present economic challenges facing the nation to institutionalised corruption in the country.

    Chairperson of the Union, Mr. Vincent Nweke, who disclosed this to newsmen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, noted that every sector of the economy has been infested with corruption to the point that it has become a way of life to make money without working for it.

    According to him, every policy of government to develop the economy will be frustrated because of greed, while monies earmarked will be diverted to private pockets and programmes left without execution.

    Nweke applauded the steps taken by the Federal Government to sack as well as demote some directors and general managers of the authority whose cases were fraudulent.

    He said some of the directors and managers were recruited into the organisation after their National Youth Service (NYSC) and were placed on management posts without prerequisite experience and qualification.

    Nweke said even when the workers’ union then raised alarm over such issue; everything was swept under the carpet because of corruption, which also happens in other sectors.

    “Tell me, how can Nigeria move forward when money budgeted for development is not used for the purpose for which it was meant,” he queried.

    He, therefore, called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to be very thorough and fight corruption holistically.