The Nation Newspaper

Category: Labour

  • ASSBIFI stakes N40b on Unity Bank shares

    ASSBIFI stakes N40b on Unity Bank shares

    •Okays Oyinkansola as new president

    The the Association of Senior Staff of Banks Insurance and Financial Institution (ASSBIFI) is to take about 57 per cent (worth over N40 billion) of the 50 per cent Unity Bank’s shares to be acquired by the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

    At it last congress in June, TUC disclosed its plans to acquire about 50 per cent of Unity Bank shares worth about N80 billion.

    At a Special Delegates Conference in Abeokuta, ASSBIFI National President Comrade Olusola Salako said: “We are at the forefront of this deal and it is for the betterment of our members.”

    He said the N40 billion would come from workers’ contributions and support from development partners.

    The union also approved the nomination of Comrade Oyinkan Olasanoye as its next president in November when Comrade Sunday Salako will hand over.

    Salako said: “At our delegates’ conference that will take place in Abuja by November 2016, the positions for president and treasurer  would not be contested for.

    “ I choose Comrade Oyinkan as my predesessor because of her integrity and faithfulness. No vacancy for that position until after six years.”

    The conference is tagged, “Trade union strategic role in growing the nation economy”.

    The outgoing President of ASSBI explained that Olasanoye is capable of piloting the affairs of the association.

    Salako, who has spent six years in office, appreciated God and  his members for their support.

    Oyinkan, who will be the first woman ASSBIFI President, also appreciated his members, especially the out-going Presdient for their trust in her.

  • NLC urges DisCOs, NERC to obey court order

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCOs) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC ) to obey the court order that electricity tariff must revert to the old rate as against the over 40 per cent increase that workers are paying.

    It said the disregard of the order by government agencies was illegal and a sign of impunity.

    Addressing journalists in Lagos, after the NLC  Central Working  Committee (CWC) meeting, the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said in spite of the subsisting court order declaring as illegal the electricity tariff review, NERC and DisCOs were yet to comply.

    “CWC-in-session called on NERC and DISCOs to obey without further delay, the subsisting court order by reviewing downward the current electricity tariff,” he said.

    On the proposed new minimum wage, Wabba said  in view of the  hiccups in the economy associated with inflation and the fall of the naira, a new minimum wage is not only imperative, but urgent as the  it cannot take the workers to the next bus stop.

    Wabba also warned against imminent increase in pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol.

    He warned that the union would resist any attempt by marketers or the Federal Government to review upward the pump price of petrol.

    He said: “We are now justified when we opposed the initial increase in the pump price of petrol. Purchasing power of Nigerians has reduced drastically following the initial increase in petrol price per litre.

    “We said it will worsen purchasing power of the workers. This is now coupled with non-payment of salary, non payment of pension and gratuity.

    “Our position still stands and every attempt to increase it will be resisted vehemently. We will mobilise our sister unions and affiliates.”

    Following non-availability of foreign exchange for importation of petrol, there are rumours that marketers may increase pump price of petrol soon.

  • Ngige warns against casualisation

    Ngige warns against casualisation

    •NUFBTE opens hotel in Lagos

    The  Labour and Employment Minister, Senator Chris Ngige, has warned employers against casualisation of workers.

    He gave the warning at the opening of the second phase of the Food Union Hotel and Suites, owned by the National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE), in Lagos.

    He said workers have a right to belong to a union of their choice and no employer should deny them that.

    “Protecting employers/employees relationship is our job, and workers’ rights are well stipulated in our Constitution as well as backed by the International Labour Convention. So, to ensure that organised labour can organise their members without any threat or intimidation, we will back them up with appropriate regulations,” he said.

    According to him,  some of the employers that indulged in casualisation did that out of ignorance. He added that ignorance in law is not an excuse.

    The Minister, who noted that employers are better off with a union, cautioned against manipulation and imposition of stooges as officers by some employers.

    Senator Ngige, who praised the leadership of NUFBTE for diversifying into entrepreneurship, building of hotels, water packaging as well as some other ventures, said such a feat would make the union stronger.

    “It is when a union is independent that it can become strong physically and financially. You’ve been able to move from union of employees to a union of employers. However, reward for good work is more work; so we are looking forward to inaugurating more of this in other states and Abuja,” he said.

    NUFBTE National President   Lateef Oyelekan said the union’s diversification was borne out of the need to provide alternative sources of funds to finance its programmes.

    Oyelekan, who urged the Federal Government to address importation of beverages and confectioneries, which is killing the local industries, said the local industries were capable of meeting local needs.

    He presented a customised- packaged water made for President Muhammadu Buhari and the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, to the Minister for presentation to them.

    “We also want to tell the Minister that our water factory is ready to produce a customised water for the October 1 Independence celebration, so we want the minister to take the message to Mr. President,” he said.

    The Labour leader condemned the abuse of expatriate quotas by some foreign companies,  especially the Chinese and the Indians, who have made most jobs meant for Nigerians to be taken over by the less competent foreigners.

    Earlier, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, tasked other industrial unions in the Congress to key into such entrepreneurial ventures, which NUFBTE has been able to exemplified through  the construction of the hotels and other projects.

    “It is an opportunity for us to show the world that even as a working class, we can show the way, show union powers, if we are able to be independent. It is only independent unions that will provide better protection for members,” he said.

    Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) Managing Director, George Polymenakos, said the feat by the union, was a testimony of what a great vision could achieve, adding that the company would continue to partner the union to achieve more.

  • NUPENG seeks tax holiday for investors

    NUPENG seeks tax holiday for investors

    President, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Comrade Igwe Achese, has appealed to the Federal Government to consider tax holidays and free land to genuine investors in the economy.

    He also advocated an efficient tax regime that would ensure that businesses, especially those owned by affluent Nigerians, were adequately taxed, as most of them explored the loopholes in the system to dodge payment of taxes.

    He said the government should use part of the recovered loot to pay verified contractors, especially those involved in road construction.

    Achese, who spoke in Lagos, said the measures were necessary to free the economy from its parlous state which the administration is still grappling with.

    In a related event, the Kaduna Zone of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) is to address challenges facing the oil and gas sector.

    This will be address at a workshop with theme: Global trend & security challenges in oil & gas industry in Nigeria, critical challenges and prospects from stakeholders’ perspectives.

    In a statement by the Chairman of Kaduna Zone of PENGASSAN, Comrade Abubakar Yusuf, the union said despite major advancements in labour and management relations in Nigeria in the past decades, there still persists distrust and antagonism among parties involved in industrial relations.

  • Recall of sacked workers: PENGASSAN canvasses firms’ compliance

    Recall of sacked workers: PENGASSAN canvasses firms’ compliance

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has urged the Federal Government to take measures against agencies and oil companies that behave as if they are more powerful than the government and not answerable to it.

    Recently, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, met with oil firms and an agreement was reached not to sack their workers and  to recall sacked workers in the oil sector.

    According to PENGASSAN, some of the oil firms reneged on the agreement.

    Speaking at the Third Women in PENGASSAN National Conference in Abuja,  PENGASSAN President, Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson  said such attitude was not acceptable to the union.

    He said: “We have been having a series of meetings with the government team. You cannot have an agreement with the minister standing in for the President of the Federal Republic and when it’s time to take action, you say no. We, only suspended our strike. If these issues are not addressed properly, we may have to resume the strike.

    “But we don’t like taking that route. That is why we are imploring every agency of the government that whatever agreement reached must be respected. We will abide by our side of the agreement, but if they are not ready to honour theirs, we will have no choice than to resume our suspended strike.’’

    “We had an understanding, but today what we are hearing is that some of them are reneging, especially Fugro Nig Ltd. I must be specific here. They are reneging. If the minister, who is standing in for Mr. President, took a decision and they are reneging, that is an affront on the President of Nigeria. If you know you have no respect for the President, then you pack your things and get out of the country.’’

    Johnson also said the leadership of PENGASSAN would meet with the Federal Government over the threat by the Niger Delta Avengers to kill oil workers, warning that the group’s threat should not be taken lightly by the government.

    “We are having a meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment. In view of the issue on ground, this is something we should take as priority. Whatever the issue, let government look for a way to fast track everything and discuss so that there can be peace in this country.

    “This is not time for us to start destroying ourselves and our properties and oil installations. We all need to work together as a country so that Nigeria can rise from the ashes of what we are going through,” Olabode said.

  • Economic downturn: Labour urges new strategy

    •Kaigama returns as ASCSN President

    organised labour has urged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to fashion a strategy that will turn the nation towards a new direction in view of the economic downturn.

    The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), at the opening of its Third Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State, said it was obvious that the country is facing a hard time.

    ASCSN said the government needed to engage a think-tank of technocrats to chart the way forward.

    At the conference, incumbent President Bobboi Bala Kaigama, who was returned for a second term, said: “We, in the Association, believe very strongly that the time has come for our dear country to develop a new economic model that will take into consideration variables that are relevant and consistent with the Nigerian situation.”

    Kaigama, also the president of Trade Union Congress (TUC), noted that the welfare of workers should be paramount to states and Federal Government for the nation to achieve meaningful development.

    On the non-payment of workers’ salaries by many state governments, he said governors, despite owing workers still move around as if nothing is happening. He said the country has never  had it so bad.

    Kaigama said: “Many of our governors are guilty of massive looting of the treasury, thereby causing miseries in the process. There is no excuse that can be given to justify owing workers salaries for eight or nine months. It is nothing but sheer wickedness to pillage the treasury and leave workers to go home for months without salaries.”

    He charged the Federal Government to kickstart the process of paying workers at the federal level their entitlements.

    The Ogun State Governor, Senator IbikunleAmosun, pleaded with workers whom he described as the landlord to bear with the governors owing salaries, noting that the governors are not magicians, and could only pay with what is available.

    Amosun, who admitted that some states actually owe workers for several months, stressed that there is a need for the country to diversify the economy to meet the yearnings of workers.

    His words:“When things are not going well, it is appropriate for us to accept responsibility and we know that many states are having problems, which is why they cannot pay workers salaries. There is no governor that will not want to pay workers, but we have so many responsibilities on our hands.”

    Amosun said he always paid civil servants and teachers before settling other issues.

    “We spend over N4 billion monthly to pay the salaries of civil servants in the state. We also pay pensioners, and sweepers, and in doing this, I ration diesel in my office as the Governor, when there is no electricity supply,” he said.

    The National President of Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA ), Isaac Egbugara,  however, urged organised labour to end internal rift and intra-union crisis, stating that such often prevents the labour movement from exercising its right and carrying out its primary functions and objectives.

    He said: “As union leaders, we should understand that a house divided against itself cannot stand. We should learn and be determined to work and promote those values that unite us rather than the ones that divide us; to have strength to confront our common challenges, which are majorly how to improve on the condition of service of our members.

    “Unless there is unity of purpose and we shun internal squabbles and come together, trade union cannot pose a formidable opposition against the government and other employers of labour.”

  • NASU decries poor funding of public libraries

    The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational Institutions (NASU)  has warned that the decline in the funding of public libraries and the National Library of Nigeria is detrimental to the development of the educational sector.

    NASU made this observation at their regular meeting in Benin, the Edo State capital at the weekend. They decried the concession of e-libraries by some state governors to private operators, as against their administration by Library Boards.

    The group, in the resolutions jointly signed by the Deputy President, Adegoke Adeniyi, and  the Secretary, Damola Adelekun, noted with dismay the derelict state of public libraries due to paucity of funds.

    It, therefore, called on all tiers of government, philanthropists and organisations to devise a steady means of ensuring increased inflow of resources to the sector.

    The group said: “For the country to develop and for the present government’s clamour for eradication of illiteracy to materialise, proper attention must be given to the resuscitation of libraries in Nigeria.

    “The Council-in-Session, therefore, calls on all stakeholders to prioritise adequate funding of this important area of the educational sector and also implore the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to intervene in funding public and national libraries as it does for public institutions’ libraries.”

    The union decried the low funding of examination bodies over the years.

    It warned that this may have adverse effects on examinations conducted by the bodies as well as on the training and creativity of the youth.

    It called on the federal and state governments to increase budgetary allocations to examination bodies, such as WAEC, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Examinations Council (NECO), and National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB) to strengthen them and secure the future of the nation’s youths. The union lamented that, Nigeria has continued to remain under-developed in spite of being blessed with mineral resources, large area of arable land and rich cultural heritage due to corruption.

    Commending the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari onthe fight against corruption, the group advised that it should cut across board. “Moreover, the fight against corruption should cut across the three tiers of government”, it added.

    It also charged the government to publish the amount collected so far and the names of the looterss.

    The resolution stated further: “The Council-in-Session also canvassed for a living wage for civil servants in order to stamp out unofficial ways of supplementing their incomes and urged all Nigerians to join hands with the government to fight corruption.”

  • ‘Intensify efforts on diversification’

    As the price of crude oil continues to crash in the international market, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has advised the Federal Government to intensify efforts to diversify the economy from oil.

    This was among several resolutions  adopted by the union at its 29th National Executive Meeting (NEC) in Bauchi State.

    The union, in a communiqué signed by its National President, Alhaji Sani Suleiman, noted that before the advent of crude oil as the main stay of the country’s economy, various parts of the country were known for massive production of food and cash crops.

    “With the decline of crude oil price, NAAT urges the Federal Government to intensify efforts aimed at diversification of the economy in the areas of solid minerals, food and cash crop production,” the communiqué read.

    According to the union, diversification will raise the prospect of jobs for youths.

    The union, however, warned the Federal Government to avoid employing military in the crisis going on in the Niger Delta. The statement reads:“NAAT urges Federal Government to adopt dialogue in addressing the agitations in the Niger Delta and the Southeast Zone with reference to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Dialogue will help in ensuring that the main stay of the economy(oil production) is not disrupted, thereby attracting local and foreign investors to the economy.”

    On the challenges in educational institutions, NAAT observed with dismay the shortfall of fund which makes it difficult to pay the salaries of workers.

    It lamented that this has resulted in the institutions having to go the extra-mile to augment the deficit being experienced in the payment of salaries.

    The leadership of the union at the meeting demanded the payment of outstanding arrears so as  to cushion the effects of the harsh economy.

  • How TCN can be more effective, by workers

    How TCN can be more effective, by workers

    Electricity workers have listed two options for making the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) more effective.

    In the last four years, TCN has been under Manitoba Hydro International (MHI), a  foreign management company. When its contract  expired, it was extended by one year by the government, last year.

    The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) suggested a re-composition of the MHI counterpart management team and injection of new technocrats from the sector in areas that require strengthening.

    SSAEAC’s President-General  Mr Chris Okonkwo also suggested that MHI and Nigerian counterparts should form a new structure.

    In the third option, the union suggested that MHI functions as advisers to the Nigerian management team.

    He also called on the government to revise the cost component of MHI contract and ensure an upward review of the remuneration of Nigerian management team.

    It would be recalled that in a memo it forwarded to the Presidency recently, SSAEAC  called for outright transfer of management of TCN to  a reconstituted Nigerian management team.

    Its position was premised on alleged poor performance of the foreign management contractor; perception of wastages of resources due to non-performance; lack of clear Key Performance Indicators and lack of appreciable change in operational challenges from commencement of contract (system collapse, poor funding, process bottlenecks, among others)

    Okonkwo said the union was giving the additional options in view of the possible misrepresentation of the first and preferred position of SSAEAC, which is now offering more options to widen government’ choice in taking  informed  decision on TCN.

    Okonkwo  said: “One option is to have TCN HQ structure collapsed to have one MD/CEO (no MD TSP, MD ISO) with the following structure: MD/CEO, ED (Tech. Service), ED (Market Operations), ED (System Operations), ED (Human Resources) and ED (Finance and Accounts) –General Managers and AGMs will fall under the EDs except for those to report to the MD/CEO.

    “The structure of TCN with MD/CEO TCN, MD TSP and MD ISO may also be used.However, it could be suspended to achieve some measure of targets by compressing it as suggested above, without loss of positions,’’ he said.

    He  listed  the problems impeding the growth of TCN to include poor budgetary funding for completion of a ring grid by constructing/completing critical lines to stem system fragility; poor tariff for wheeling of electricity; NERC’s  indisposition  to good tariff for TCN using same considerations for GenCos and DisCos; One-sided orders against TCN in favour of other stakeholders by NERC for instance; TCN surcharge for low energy delivery without corresponding sanction for GenCos for low generation and DisCos for rejecting loads and  surcharge of higher Transmission Loss Factor (TLF) without corresponding reward for TLF below benchmark of 8.05 per cent.

  • NECA denies using thugs to disperse protesters

    NECA denies using thugs to disperse protesters

    The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has denied hiring thugs to dislodge protesters led by the Joe Ajaero-led faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress  (NLC) to picket its premises, last Friday.

    The NLC faction had accused NECA of using thugs to dislodge the protesters, resulting in a free-for – all in which scores were injured. Guests, who came for NECA’s 59th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and protesters, scampered for safety.

    The faction picketed NECA’s headquarters in Ikeja because the group supported banks that sacked workers.

    The entrance to NECA’s premises was barricaded during the action.

    In a statement, NECA Director- General Mr Olusegun Oshinowo described the group as “a law abiding organisation that will not resort to lawlessness to dislodge lawlessness.

    “This, actually, informed our decision to invite the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to protect us and our premises when we got wind of the Joe Ajaero faction’s plan to picket us.

    “Our own investigation on the identities of those that came to dislodge Ajaero and his cohorts has revealed three possibilities as follows:

    • In-fighting   among   hoodlums and thugs over distribution of money paid them to carry out the picketing
    • A counter-action by the legal and recognised NLC to  stop  Ajaero from further acting in the name of NLC and parading himself as its president.”

    Oshinowo said NECA would welcome an investigation into the mayhem, which, according to him, would not have occurred if Ajaero had respected industrial relations laws.

    He said the law enforcement agencies in NECA acted decisively by dispersing the picketers, who he claimed paralysed vehicular and human movement in Ikeja.

    “We again affirm that trade unionism and union immunity are not a licence for anyone to brazenly trample on the rights of other economic actors and breach public order,” he said.