The Nation Newspaper

Category: Labour

  • NLC seeks transparency in police recruitment

    NLC seeks transparency in police recruitment

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for transparency in the police recruitment approved by the Federal Government. Ten thousand are to be recruited in the exercise.

    NLC President Ayuba Wabba said the recruitment would also help reduce employment in the country.

    “We appeal to the police authorities and other Nigerians in the position of authority to conduct this  exercise with all sense of responsibility, care, transparency, justice, equity and minimum discomfort or pain to the applicants.  There is hardly any family that does not have an army of applicants. This, however, should be no justification for subjecting this process to a selfish end or abuse,” he said.

    He urged the government to ensure that other sectors become vibrant to employ workers.

    In another development, the NLC has praised the National Assembly and President Muhammadu  Buhari for the “rigorous scrutiny” of the 2016 budget.

    In a statement, Wabba hailed the National Assembly for exposing the imperfections in the budget and  President Buhari for his courage in exposing the padding of the budget by a cabal.

    Wabba said it was within the power of President to withhold his assent until the National Assembly sends the details to him.

    He said: “It is within the province of Mr President to do so as a matter of personal style or principle. More over, we have had a presidential precedent. But beyond all this, it is pertinent to note that, the right of due diligence which the National Assembly exercised to the hilt and led to the unearthing of discrepancies in the budget should similarly be extended to Mr President’’.

  • Minister appeals to labour to shelve planned strike

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to shelve its planned warning strike over the new electricity tariff.

    The minister made the appeal in Abuja at the Third Triennial National Delegates Conference of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC).

    “The dispute over the increment in electricity tariff is right before the National Assembly and it is only right that as law abiding social partners that all parties afford the National Assembly to arbitrate.

    “The President of NLC is not here but this occasion offers a crucial avenue for me to state government’s position on this hot button issue,” Ngige said.

    The minister advised investors in the power sector to provide decent working environment for their staff members as his ministry will no longer tolerate unfair labour practices, urging workers to give their utmost in promotion of productivity.

    Last week, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) resolved to organise a one-day action of protest and national warning strike over the state of the nation, especially the increase in electricity tariff and the fuel crisis.

    In an address presented by the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, to the opening session of the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of the congress held at the Labour House, Abuja, he said the response to the prevailing economic situation by all tiers of government in the country has been a source of worry for many Nigerians, especially Nigerian workers.

    According to him, Nigerians are feeling the heat and harsh realities of the economic crisis in the country, whose immediate cause is the drastic fall in the price of crude oil, which is the primary source of our nation’s foreign exchange earnings.

    Specifically, the NLC president decried the unjustifiable 45 per cent increase in electricity tariff, saying that the increase was “illegal, unfair, unjustifiable and a further exploitation of the already exploited Nigerians”.

    He pointed out that the due process in the extant laws for such an increment was not followed in consonance with Section 76 of the Power Sector Reform Act, 2005.

  • NPC, Osun partner on workers’ productivity

    The  Director-General of  the National Productivity Centre (NPC), Alhaji Kashim Akor,  has spoken of plans to establish  a branch in Osogbo, Osun State capital.

    He spoke when Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, visited the NPC head office in Abuja.

    He said the centre would key into the governor’s programmes in ensuring accelerated human resources development and capacity building for the Osun public service.

    Akor disclosed that the  governor’s visit was the first of its kind by a serving governor in the history of the centre.

    “The NPC would help in building the capacity of the state workforce and organisations through training and installation of Productivity and Quality Improvement Programme (P&QIP).

    “We would also want your assistance in the establishment of a state productivity committee in units in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state as well as in providing airtime on Osun Radio and Television for dissemination of productivity messages,” he said.

    Governor Aregbesola stressed the importance of the NPC in making  the workforce efficient and proactive in service delivery.

    He said he would actively engage the centre in making  the state civil service productive toward achieving  the All Progressives Congress (APC) change agenda.

  • NUPENG urges true federalism

    NUPENG urges true federalism

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG)  says the solution to the national economic woes lies in practising true federalism.

    The union stated that the solution to non-payment of salaries in states and local governments ‘’is for us to go back to true federalism where every state will generate its revenue and pay salaries instead of relying solely on monthly federal allocation’’.

    In a statement by the union’s President, Comrade Igwe Achese, he said NUPENG believes that the states and local governments should be allowed to control their resources with a clear definition of Federal Government projects.

    “It reiterates that the current structure of states and local governments depending on federal allocation for their survival negates the principles of true federalism,” he said.

    He said the  solution to the economic challenges is for the states and local governments have independence on the revenues generated and accruing to their domain  to pay salaries and execute  projects , adding that there should be an interface with the Federal government on their projects.

    “The union stresses that for democracy to have meaning and end the sufferings of the masses, we have to entrench true federalism in our system.

    “The union states that the internally generated revenue of states is often not accounted for or judiciously used and it would not be the case when true federalism is in operation,” Achese said.

    He added that true federalism would eliminate wastages, in the IGR system, as the laissez faire attitude would not be there, adding that efforts will be geared towards revenue generation to pay salaries, debts and finance projects.

  • Labour to Fed Govt: fix the economy

    Labour to Fed Govt: fix the economy

    Labour has called on the Federal Government to take steps to revamp the  economy.

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) is worried that the economy is down and thousands sacked because of the closure of some companies.

    The President, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama said: “Aside fuel scarcity , the dearth of US dollars has made it impossible for firms to repay foreign loans and import needed materials for production of which the consequence is mass sack of workers.

    “Our role as a labour centre is multifaceted. We are saddled with the responsibility of functioning as change agents and watchdogs of both government and private businesses, with the issue of workers welfare as priority.

    “But, of late our desk has been inundated with industrial issues, ranging from redundancy complaints to anti-labour practices, casualisation of workers to outright termination of employment.’’

    Kaigama lamented that the food and beverage sector had lost over 500 employees in the few months.

    He said the naira exchanges for N197 to a dollar at the official window and N320 at the parallel market, adding that firms that borrowed dollar-denominated loans were facing the risk of foreclosure on assets.

    The union chief demanded that the power distribution companies should stop sending estimated bills to Nigerians.

    “They are defrauding consumers while the government consistently looks the other way; how else do we explain the fact that Nigerians are paying for services not rendered?

    “We recall that the Minister of Power, Babatunde Fashola, prior to the 2015 elections said any government that cannot fix power in six months is irresponsible,” he said.

    He said it was worrisome to labour that the lingering fuel scarcity appeared to defy all solutions in a country that is the sixth largest oil producer in the world.

    Kaigama said Nigeria has become a laughing stock in the comity of nations, adding that man-hours lost in traffic because of long fuel queues were unimaginable.

    “As it stands now, virtually all sectors of the economy are groaning in serious and unbearable pain.

    “We are adverse to people blaming any particular political party for the ordeals of the country.

    “The people voted for the Federal administration because they desire change. We need to see that change now,” he said.

  • NLC files contempt proceeding against DISCOS

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has filed contempt proceedings  against electricity distribution companies (DISCOS) for alleged flouting a court order on hike in tariff.

    Justice Mohammed Idris Federal High Court had restrained DISCOS from increasing electricity from February 1.

    Speaking with The Nation, NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba said the issue was already in court. “As I am talking to you now, a process of committing all of them that have violated that order on contempt charges is on the way. Already, they have been served and the case is coming up very soon,” he said.

    Wabba said the increased tariff has adversely affected the economy and the welfare of every Nigerian, adding that many people would not be able to pay the new tariff. He said no strategic stakeholder, including the NLC, was consulted by the DISCOs before the tariff increase.

    ‘’They (DISCOs) claimed they consulted people, but who?” he asked, wondering who they consulted when the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and organised labour that actually represent many Nigerians were all crying foul.

    He said it was obvious the DISCOs only consulted their friends and brothers before coming up with the idea of increasing electricity tariff. He added that what is even more worrisome is the fact that meters are not available.

    “This is the background that made us provide a national platform where all people would be allowed to air their grievances. And that we did and we made our point very clear. It is an ongoing process and we are giving it a firm commitment,” Wabba said.

    He said he spoke with the Chairman Senate Committee on Labour a few days ago, and the Chairman requested the NLC to submit its memorandum.

    The NLC chief said based on this, there would be a joint public hearing by the two chambers of the National Assembly where labour would once again raise the issue

    Wabba said labour would consult and come up with its own engagement strategy.

    According to him, this is necessary to avoid the exploitation of consumers by DISCOs because of the absence of meters.

    The labour unionist said one of the issues labour was canvassing was that people should not pay bills if they don’t have meters because it is the responsibility of DISCOs to provide meters to Nigerians.

    Wabba argued that the issue of non-metering and estimated  billing are exploitations, adding that such issues are typical of a business that is monopolised.

    He said after the so-called privatisation, what was done was to transfer the nations’ common wealth to the hands of a few, adding that a business that is monopolised is only driven by profit.

    “That is why they say they are looking at profit margin; that the profit margin is not there,” Wabba said.

  • TUC, TATA clash over union chief

    Automobile giant TATA Africa Services Nigeria has drawn the ire of Labour over the fate of Comrade Joseph Ogunyemi, Transport Equipment and Allied Senior Staff Association (AUTOBATE) deputy president.

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC), in a statement by its President, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama,  described as mischievous  TATA’s  disclaimer that Ogunyemi is no longer in the firm’s services even though he has not been served with a letter of termination.

    “Besides, the cause of his victimisation is still being mediated, and the Congress is still expecting a response to its petition from TATA regional office in South Africa,’’ TUC said.

    According to the TUC,  Ogunyemi was a former Chairman of AUTOBATE, TATA Branch and the Deputy President of AUTOBATE.

    Kaigama said Ogunyemi is now being persecuted by TATA under the guise of redundancy. He said  meetings were held at TATA and the Federal Ministry of Labour to resolve  the issues  yet the company in Nigeria is bent on ensuring Ogunyemi loses his job.

    According to the Congress, labour is interested in Ogunyemi’s matter because he has suffered so much over the years just because of his participation in trade union activities as chairman of the Senior Staff union of TATA then. He was also denied promotion, bombarded with queries, transferred to Port Harcourt and denied several benefits.

    “The union and management of TATA have had a long-running battle, prompting the Federal Ministry of Labour to intervene. We recall that at one of our meetings in June 2015, TATA management made a commitment never to witch-hunt union officers. We are, however, surprised that less than one year after, the HR manager has resumed another onslaught.

    ”The Congress wishes to let TATA management know that the same way TATA Nigeria was licensed to operate in Nigeria is equally the same way trade unions are duly backed up by Trade Union Act of 1973, CAP 437, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria to operate as a watchdog in workplaces. Our members cannot just be victimised on the account of their lawful union activities,” the statement said.

    In a related event, the TUC, Rivers State chapter, has endorsed the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH)  strike, asking the management to accede to the workers’ demands.

    Speaking after the State Executive Council meeting, the President,  Comrade Hyginus Chika Onuegbu, urged the management   to desist from intimidating JOHESU with ‘no work no pay’ and seek an amicable resolution of the dispute.

    “The State Council hereby warns that if the issues are not resolved amicably it will not hesitate to direct all its affiliates in Rivers State to withdraw their services,” he said.

  • Nigeria loses N3tr yearly to PIB absence, says group

    Nigeria loses N3tr yearly to PIB absence, says group

    The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has urged the executive and legislature to make the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) a priority to stop the N3 trillion revenue yearly.

    In a statement by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa, the group said: “CISLAC recalls that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, had said Nigeria is losing $15 billion (N3 trillion) annually due to non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law.’’

    Auwal said the failure of the past legislature to take advantage of the constitution review to vote for financial autonomy put the legislature in difficult.

    This, he noted, has led to salary crisis in some Houses of Assembly.

    According to him, the refusal to  use that opportunity confirmed  that state assemblies are being  manipulated by the executive.

    Such control, Auwal said, made them incapable of making independent decisions in terms of law making, oversight and even representation.

    “The governor virtually appoints all the leaders at the state assembly; they see themselves as agents of the governor and not representatives of their people.

    “This attitude has undermined effective legislative processes because the state governor determines the kind of discussion on the floor and if any member acts differently he or she is sanctioned,” he said.

    While describing this as undemocratic, the CISLAC executive director said financial autonomy would have allowed members to freely carry out their legislative duties without going to beg and be afraid to take decisive action.

    “It was a lost opportunity for them to reposition how they work for effectiveness and also enable them to clearly mainstream their reasonable salary and allowance. If it (amendment) had been done, we would not be witnessing the kind of crisis going on in some states,” Auwal said.

  • ‘Civil Service critical to change agenda’

    The National Productivity Centre (NPC) Director-General (DG) Alhaji Kashim Akor has identified the civil service as critical to the actualisation of the present administration’s change agenda.

    The civil service, he said, could help reposition the other sectors through a productivity mindset and culture.

    Akor spoke at a productivity sensitisation lecture organised by the NPC for grade levels 07 to 12 workers of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

    The lecture, according to the D-G, was to create productivity awareness and enhance civil servants’ capacities for efficient service delivery.

    He decried the poor attitude of workers to work. “The civil service must improve its productivity in order to achieve growth and revitalise the economy against the backdrop of accelerating globalisation and international competitiveness, exponential increase in the unemployment rate and the dwindling oil revenues,” he said.

  • NUPENG decries exclusion from business roundtable

    NUPENG decries exclusion from business roundtable

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has berated the National Assembly for not inviting it and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to its National Assembly Business Environment roundtable in Abuja.

    In a statement by its President, Igwe Achese, the workers said they were shocked by Senate President Bukola Saraki’s statement that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would be laid before each chamber of the National Assembly this week.

    Achese said: “NUPENG faults the presentation of the harmonised version of the PIB, when it has continued to call for a stakeholders’ meeting where the grey areas should be ironed out.”

    He added that NUPENG was disappointed that the NASS leadership did not invite NUPENG and PENGASSAN to the National Assembly Business Environment round table, when the bodies are major stakeholders in the oil and gas industry.

    According to Achese, it was better to hear the bitter truth on the happenings in the oil and gas industry from the workers, who produce the hydrocarbon, rather than the rhetorics and semantics witnessed at the round table.

    He said: “NUPENG believes that the non-invitation of the unions to the round table was a slight and must be condemned. The union calls on the NASS to always carry everybody along, especially the unions in the oil and gas industry, when organising such programmes.”