The Nation Newspaper

Category: Labour

  • NSITF urges youths on self-development

    •Says artisans not covered by ECS

    The Acting Managing Director, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mr. Ismail Agaka, has called on Nigerian youths to acquire productive skills that will position them to become highflyers in corporate governance.

    The NSITF boss stated this in Abuja when a delegation of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) led by its President, Murtala Muhammed, paid him a courtesy visit.

    He said rather than staying glued to social media and entertainment, youths must learn to develop themselves mentally to be sufficiently equipped for skilled functions and corporate governance.

    He charged youths to acquire the mentality of starting small, taking time to grow, thereby developing their decision-making skills instead of begging for handouts.

    Agaka, who said he was sympathetic with youths for bearing the brunt of the prevailing economic climate in the country, also blamed many young persons for being indolent.

    Agaka regretted that youths of today engaged in all sorts of social misdemeanour instead of productive ventures that could better their lives, saying it was pathetic that some youths, aged 35 to 40, still depend on their parents and guardians to eke out a living instead of the other way round.

    Asked if roadside workers such as vulcanizers, mechanics, and other artisans were covered by the Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS), he explained that this group of workers, classified as the informal sector, are not presently covered by the scheme.

    He added that the informal sector was not covered by the scheme owing to the flexibility of its income earnings, and explained that the provision of the scheme as it presently stands, can only accommodate the formal sector.

    He, however, said the only way the informal sector can benefit from the Scheme for now, is for them to come under umbrella bodies such as cooperative societies, trade unions and associations.

    He further disclosed that NSITF has done poverty mapping across the country and noted areas where there are high incidences of poverty and has submitted its report to the Federal Government.

    Earlier,  Muhammed said the group was an umbrella body of all voluntary youth organisations in Nigeria, under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development.

    He lauded the giant stride recorded by the NSITF in the implementation of the ECS.

  • CIPM lists paths to tackling unemployment

    CIPM lists paths to tackling unemployment

    The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has said harnessing  the ingenuity of Nigerians is the path to exiting the economic recession.

    At the end of it 48th national conference in Abuja, the Institute identified the human element as critical to the stability of every economy, and described the effective development and deployment of human capital as a proven source of enduring competitive advantage for businesses and nations alike.

    President and Chairman, CIPM, Anthony Arabome, noted that with 25 per cent of the Nigerian labour force either unemployed or underemployed, a strategic approach to job creation was urgently required.

    He stressed how the Institute through the conference was working hard to identify causal factors and proffer actionable solutions to sustainably manage the unemployment challenge.

    His words: “The myriads of challenges of 2016 have almost driven our nation’s economy to the brink of total collapse. This has given CIPM through this conference the unprecedented opportunity to respond brilliantly with people, potentials and possibilities as an enduring model to help every organisation overcome its obstacles and to move forward with confidence.

    “In spite of the challenging times for businesses, it is unfortunate that they continue to squander and in other cases, tap sub-capital available to them, further strengthening a seemingly uncontrollable downward spiral. It must be said that it is not for lack of effort aimed at a turnaround. The reality is that organisations waste a lot of opportunities by focusing on the wrong things or misplacing their priorities.”

  • Fed Govt, ILO to validate national employment policy

    The Federal Government, International Labour Organisation (ILO) and others have met in Abuja to validate the much-expected National Policy on Employment.

    The meeting, which was organised by the Federal Government, in conjunction with the ILO, aimed at moving Nigeria forward.

    According to the Director, ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Liaison Office for the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), Mr. Dennis Zulu, the meeting was to determine whether the government and stakeholders could contribute towards taking steps to address unemployment and under-employment in a comprehensive, coherent and integrated way.

    Zulu said the stakeholders forum marked an important milestone in the process of preparing an employment policy for Nigeria, which started in 2012. The  objective, according to him, is to prepare a policy that would promote full and productive employment by developing integrated employment, development and skills policies that will maximize the employment impact of economic growth, investment and development; and which are inclusive, gender sensitive, productive and sustainable.

    The ILO director said extensive consultations involving a wide range of stakeholders across the length and breadth of the country have been held during the last four years.

    He said: “The ILO wishes to note that the validation of the draft national employment policy is in line with the prescribed process of preparing national employment policies as articulated by ILO Employment Policy Convention No. 122 of 1964.

    “The Convention requires national employment policies to be positioned as a major goal within the national agenda. It calls for an active employment policy to be pursued as a major goal of macroeconomic policy, with a focus on the design and implementation of such policies.”

    Given the progress that has been made in Nigeria in putting in place an employment policy, Mr. Zulu appealed to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and  the social partners to consider ratifying ILO Convention 122 .

    He pointed out that by putting in place an employment policy, Nigeria is already in line with the objective of the convention.

    At the meeting, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige reiterated the commitment of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, to job creation and provision of decent employment opportunities for Nigerians.

  • ‘Revive paper mills to create jobs’

    The Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to revive paper mills in order to create jobs

    Its President, Alhaji Muhammed Lawal, said in Lagos that local productions from pulp farm and paper mills would conserve foreign exchange, add value to naira and lessen economic hardship.

    Lending his voice to calls for a cabinet reshuffle, Lawal said: “The position of things and the conditions of living in Nigeria calls for a reshuffle of the cabinet, because most of the ministerial appointments are rewards to politicians for their contributions in winning the last general elections.”

    He implored President Muhammadu Buhari to consider the relevance of all regulatory bodies established by an Act of Parliament in reviving or contributing to the survival of dead industries in Nigeria.

    Lawal added that for effective re-construction and positive physical result, a new minister (through a regulatory body) must come from industry that employs both skilled and unskilled labour, so that it will not be difficult for professionals and industrialists to find solutions to unemployment through industrialisation.

    He said: “For good example, Minister of Health came from Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Minister of Finance came from ICAN or ANA, while the Attorney-General of the Federation came from Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).’’

    Lawal further said there are personal assistants to Buhari on matters relating to those ministries. “All these rightful appointments are to pave way for good governance and same should be applicable when filling other ministerial posts,” he insisted.

  • UN praises public service reforms, anti-graft fight

    The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria has praised the Federal Government for its efforts at reforming the public service through its anti-corruption drive.

    UNDP Country Director Mr. Lamin Beyai gave the commendation at the Training of Trainers on Corruption Risk Assessments (CRA) at the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN).

    ACAN is the training wing of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), located in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

    Speaking through the UNDP Deputy Country Director-Programme, Mandisa Mashologu, Beyai said the government being aware of the rating of Nigeria by Transparency International (TI) as the 136th most corrupt country out of 168 countries.

    He said the rating was lower than the average for Sub-Saharan Africa and that government has put in tremendous efforts through institutional reforms, enforcements, prosecution, entrenching the culture of integrity and capacity building of staff of anti-corruption agencies to tackle the menace.

    ‘Tackling corruption remains a top priority of the government as one of the means to facilitate efficient delivery of public services and enhance national development opportunities.

    ‘The process has resulted in on-going institutional reforms, which are already yielding positive results. We believe that an efficient and effective public service can positively contribute to the ease of doing business in Nigeria and act as stimulant to curb corrupt practices,” Beyal said.

  • ‘Unco-ordinated action responsible for slow global economy’

    The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has blamed lack of coordinated action for the slow growth of the global economy.

    Its Director-General, Guy Ryder, in a statement, lamented that the global economy was yet to recover eight years after the global financial crisis, fueling anxiety that there was a high risk that it would remain stuck in a slow growth trap.

    The ILO chief said there are over 70 million women and me who are unemployed but who would have had a job if pre-crisis growth had resumed. With the latest downward revisions in growth prospects, the jobs gap could rise to over 80 million by 2020.

    His words: “Global real wage growth dropped sharply during the crisis, recovered in 2010, but has since decelerated. If China, where wage growth was faster than elsewhere is not included, wage growth fell to below the one per cent per annum recorded in the crisis years. Increasing decent work opportunities and improving wages are key to breaking out of the slow growth trap and rekindling a virtuous circle of increased investment, rising productivity and sustainable enterprise and wage and consumption growth.

    “It is estimated that 156 million employed youth, or 38 per cent of working youth in emerging and developing countries are living in extreme or moderate poverty. The potential of the generation that must work to achieve the 2030 Agenda’s sustainable development goal is being wasted.”

    Ryder stressed that investing in gender equality at work and in enabling women and men to balance work and family respo  nsibilities is a top priority in structural reform of the labour market and increasing the productive potential of the world’s workforce.

    The DG noted that the the body and the World Bank’s shared objective is to increase the number of countries that can provide universal social protection, supporting countries to design and implement universal and sustainable social protection systems.

    “Universal social protection refers to the integrated set of policies designed to ensure income security and support to all people across the life cycle – paying particular attention to the poor and the vulnerable,” Ryder said.

     

  • Four million to go as bakers threaten to retrench

    No fewer than four million workers may go, if the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMCON) carry out its retrenchment threat because of what it calls unfavourable business climate.

    The group’s National Publicity Secretary, Jude Okafor said at a forum in Asaba, the Delta State capital that members have resolved to lay off no fewer than 10 workers per bakery unless the government meets their demands.

    Citing the astronomical increase in the cost of flour, sugar, yeast and other materials, Okafor said the members have no choice but to lay off workers as it is the only way they can stay in business.

    He explained that bag of flour which before now costs N5,800 has shot up to N12,000 while sugar is now N22,000 instead of the erstwhile price of N7,000 and yeast presently goes for N18,000 as against N5,500 and vegetable oil is now N18,000 as against N5,000.

    He said appeals to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to intervene met a brickwall, noting that in frustration, the association ordered its members to withdraw their services with the hope that the government would intervene.

    Okafor said: “The 450, 000 strong members have resolved to lay off workers at the rate of ten staff per bakery for some small bakeries, thirty staff for medium scale bakeries and fifty workers per bakery for large scale bakeries.’’

  • Why trade unions are divided, by PENGASSAN

    Why trade unions are divided, by PENGASSAN

    Labour has failed to achieve its objectives of promoting workers’ interest because of internal divisions, factionalisation, power struggle and disunity, a unionist has said.

    The chairman, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senor Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Comrade Chika Onuegbu urged unions to close ranks to achieve their objectives.

    The PENGASSAN chief, who spoke at a forum organised by the Rivers State chapter of Trade Union Congress (TUC), called  for unity among labour unions, saying the movement is failing because of the emergence of new forms of taxation; rising violence, intolerance and economic depression.

    He said labour bodies  must strive to bring in a larger chunk of workers within the informal sector who are yearning for representation. Trade unions, he said, must seek avenues to rediscover themselves, their values, as well as improve and respond to the needs of members in the light of the changing times.

    He also said the movement must seek to participate directly in the economic activities of Nigeria, which will help it to build financial muscles and wean it from the challenges of unsteady check-off dues, thereby positioning them to be strategic players of some sort the industries.

    Onuegbu said this will give labour  the leverage in negotiations with other social partners. “We must appreciate those unions that have gone into the property market, the hospitality industry, the bakery and confectionery sector and those that are into service delivery as businesses. These investments will surely grow and will serve as pillars tomorrow for the movement’s survival,” he said

    In a related event, the union has threatened to resume its suspended strike if the Federal Government refuses to enforce the implementation of an agreement reached with the association.

    In a statement, PENGASSAN said it had written a letter addressed to the Minister of Labour and Productivity dated August 22, 2016 and signed by the acting General Secretary, PENGASSAN, Mr. Lumumba Okugbawa.

    PENGASSAN stated that there has not been much progress or commitment to implementing the tenets of the agreement since it was signed over a month ago.

    The union therefore urged the minister to intervene so as to avert another round of nationwide strike.

    Three months ago, PENGASSAN, the Federal Government and the International Oil Companies (IOCs) signed a tripartite agreement. Some of its highlight includes the recall of over 2000 sacked workers in the sector and pay-off of $4.8 billion arrears of the old joint venture cash calls inherited by the present administration.

    Others are: tackling the issues of insurgency and pipeline vandalism, kidnapping of oil workers and repair of major roads leading to the refineries, among others.

  • NLC decries poor working condition in firms

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has spoken against the poor and unsafe conditions in which Nigerian workers discharge their duties.

    Speaking with The Nation, the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said: “We demand that a labourer, a pensioner deserves his wages. There must be dignity in labour. Let us collectively end corporate greed, let there be enough so that there will be shared posterity.

    ”Despite that the world has witnessed unprecedented accumulation of wealth in the last one decade, the workers that have created the wealth have remained in abject poverty, this must not be allowed to continue to happen.”

    He said the condition of workers in Nigeria was nothing to write home, adding that the working class was facing a lot of difficulties because salaries are not being paid in some states  and many companies as at when due.

    In a related event, the Chemical and Non-Metallic Senior Staff Association (CANMPSSA) has urged the Federal Government to speed up the diversification of the economy.

    According to the association, the  Federal Government should explore diversification of such sectors as agriculture, tourism, solid minerals, hospitality and others to buffer its foreign exchange earnings. Its President, Mohammed Abdul Gafar, who stated this in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, at the three-day Annual National Management/Industrial Relations Seminar and Entrepreneurship Skills Acquisition,  said the economy, which has defied all reasonable economic policies proposed so far, calls for more seriousness on the planned diversification.

    “The focus on crude oil as the major source of revenue for the economy has greatly incapacitated all other available sources of revenue in our country and, by implication, has affected our sector with the exchange rate of the naira to dollar rising astronomically,” he said.

    He reasoned that Nigeria, immensely blessed with skilled personnel, materials and natural resources, should not have been in the present precarious situation, but for lack of foresight of the past leaders.

    As a way out, the labour leader said the government should give priority to agriculture, which he said, has been a major source of revenue generation and raw material for manufacturing industries.

    “Efforts should be made to consolidate on massive production of cash crops segment of agricultural sector for exportation of agro-allied products to boost the revenue and increase the GDP of the country,” he stated.

    Gafar lamented that the effect of the present economic situation in the country has been devastating on the manufacturing sector, through the scarcity of foreign exchange, saying that government should march its words on backward integration with action.

    He noted that industries in the country have now embarked on various strategies to enable them remain in business, some which are detrimental to the workers.

    The CANMPSSA President said the union, as part of its contribution to resolving the problem, chose “Strengthening organisational performance in a depressed economy: chemical and non-metallic products experience”, as the theme of its seminar.

    He said: “Our challenge is that nobody in government is paying attention to the problem in the manufacturing sector. It is so bad now that we wonder how industries are coping. So, as workers, we believe that we can work together, create synergy that will stabilise our organisations and increase our productivity.”

  • Union cautions govt over proposed N25b car loans

    Automobile, Boatyards, Transport Equipment & Allied Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (AUTOBATE) has cautioned the Federal Government over its plan to float a car purchase loan scheme to help Nigerians acquire new made-in-Nigeria cars.

    The association said a well-mapped-out, clear and nationalistic guideline that would not short-change the beneficiaries at the end should be put in place.

    In a release, the association’s  National President, Edeki Osumah, said  caution should be taken to ensure the so-called investors, who cut costs only on workers, detest unionisation, promote outsourcing and casualisation did not exploit the opportunity.

    He said: “AUTOBATE understands the fact that the Federal Government is trying to promote a developmental policy, especially as the recession bites harder, but we feel that this should not be done at the expense of the struggling middle class, who really needs this kind of opportunity.

    “We call on the Federal Government to institute public-owned automobile industries so as to widen and deepen the expected development. Industrial standards should also be maintained. This is the safest line to lead in this world of economic downturn so as to promote collective prosperity and robust developments.”

    He  warned that the N25billion loan must not be left at the mercy of greedy bankers, who, according to him, take advantage of opportunities like this to divert funds to other investments, thereby frustrating the supposed beneficiaries.