The Nation Newspaper

Category: Labour

  • IOCs’ unpaid wages: Maritime workers give Fed Govt ultimatum

    Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has issued a two-week ultimatum, starting from June 12, to the Federal Government to compel the International Oil Companies (IOCs), to pay outstanding bill to dockworkers for over a year.

    The union, in a statement by its President-General and Secretary General, Prince Adewale Adeyanju and Felix Akingboye, asked the Ministry of Transportation to, within the next 14 days, address the issue or the nation’s ports would be shut down

    The statement read in part: “We want to use this medium to intimate you and the Federal Government of the non-payment of the stevedoring wages to dockworkers by the International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria. We are aware that on June 1, 2018, the NPA appointment stevedoring contractors to provide stevedoring contractors to provide stevedoring services at various off-shore jetties and on-shore locations to the International Oil Services and other operators. It will be necessary to inform you that NPA had held several meetings with these operators to grant access to the government appointed stevedoring contractors, process their invoices and effect payment, but unfortunately, the operators have refused to comply with the NPA directive after one year that the stevedoring contractors were appointed.

    “We commend the managing director of Nigerian Port Authority for the NPA management has made to compel the IOCs to engage the services of appointed stevedoring and registered dockworkers in their stevedores and registered dockworkers in their stevedoring operators.

    Read Also: Methodist Church Ijebu Diocese holds synod

    “In fact, at stakeholders’meeting held on February 28, 2018, organised by the NPA at the Victoria Crown Hotel, Victoria Island, to sensitise stakeholders i.e IOCs, Jetty Owners and Terminal Owners, the NPA management appointed stevedores and registered dockworkers are empowered by law to solely handle discharged and loading operations at the ports, jetties and oil platforms.”

    Adeyanju said the position of the operators on to NPA directive is worrisome and very surprising because the same operators had processed and paid the former stevedoring contractors since 2010 through a foremost terminal operator.

    “So, why are they refusing to cooperate with the newly appointed stevedoring contractors since the modus operandi remains the same?

    “The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has been monitoring the chain of events on this matter since last one year, and noted that the implication of the operators defiant attitude amongst others is untimely death of some dockworkers while awaiting the payment of their wages, because they could not meeting their family obligations like payment of house rent, children school fees and hospital bills, to mention but few. We can no longer continue to watch our members die prematurely because of defiant attitude of the IOCs.

    “Consequently, we are constrained to give the Ministry of Transportation that superintends the appointment of stevedores two weeks (14 days) to prevail on the management of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to pay all outstanding bills to our members, failure of which we will compelled to withdraw our services and shut down operations in all the nations sea ports,” he said.

  • Infrastructure gap: union urges private, public partnership

    THE national Union of Shop and Distributive Employees (NUSDE) has advised the Federal Government to provide the enabling environment for active public-private partnership (PPP) to bridge the huge infrastructure gap in the country.

    Its President, Comrade Innocent Jaja, said infrastructure problem in Nigeria persists due to lack of active PPP in the area.

    He said the government should allow the private sector to drive the construction sector in order to address infrastructural deficit.

    His words: “All that government needed do is to provide the enabling environment that will aid the activities of the private operators.

    “There are millions of decayed infrastructure in major cities of Nigeria; they are not available for Nigerians to use because they were built by profit-making government officials.

    “Government alone cannot provide the needed infrastructure such as roads, schools, houses, markets and others.There is need for full partnership between government and private sector, through a well-programmed PPP scheme.

    ‘‘This means leaving roads and housing infrastructure delivery in the hands of the private sector, while government provides the enabling environment.”

    Jaja expressed the hope that the active partnership of the private sector on roads infrastructure delivery would have great impact on the nation.

    He noted that for the PPP scheme to work effectively in addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure desire, government at all levels should go further and formulate acceptable policy frameworks.

     

    The labour leader added that government in this context should grant positive incentives to private sector developers, especially import duty waivers on construction materials, provision of infrastructure and credit facilities through effective mortgage system and tax relief, among others.

  • NSITF, BPP to validate contracting process

    The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has said the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007 will guide the award of contracts by the Fund with recourse to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to ensure  that the rules and regulations guiding such processes are complied with.

    The Managing Director/Chief Executive of NSITF, Adebayo Somefun, who made this known in Abuja, also dispelled speculations that the Fund is currently engaged in a massive secret recruitment exercise.

    Somefun, who spoke through the General Manager Administration, Olusegun Basorun, said whenever the Fund recruits, it does not charge prospective applicants for job placements. He challenged anyone with credible evidence on such illegal charges to provide it.

    He explained: “For any government agency to collect money from job applicant, such vacancies must be advertised, which must tell the public how much to pay, whether such money is for scratch cards or something like that. It is a well-known fact that government had stopped payment for jobs by applicants. The National Assembly has frowned against such act.”

    He added that since the Treasury Single Account (TSA) came into operation, all government funds are automatically moved into that account.

    Dismissing the allegation that job racketeering is prevalent in the Fund, Somefun said: “Matters relating to recruitment form part of the schedule of the General Manager Administration, which include the authority to sign appointment letters as delegated.

    “But before such letters are issued, certain things must happen, one of which is the approval of the Federal Character Commission. The last time we recruited here was the first quarter of 2018, and since that time, no one has been recruited.

    “It is a criminal act to recruit without due process. The NSITF is a responsible organisation. All its recruitment exercises are guided by the constitution of the nation, extant rules and regulations particularly the Federal Government Circular of July 11, 2017.”

  • 50 labour leaders for ILO centenary

    •Wabba to address global employers

    Over  50 world leaders are  attending the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Centenary Conference which is holding in Geneva, Switzerland. The conference ends on June 21.

    Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo is billed to be the first African President to address the 108 International Labour Conference  (ILC) session.

    Other African’ Presidents on the list include South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa,  Burkina Faso’s Christophe Joseph Marie Dabire, Ibrahim Boubakar Keita of Mali, Madagascar’s Andry Rajoelina and Côte d’Ivoire’s Daniel Kablan Duncan.

    Among other world leaders billed for the event, which began on June 10, are German Chancellor Angela Merkel, United Kingdom’s Theresa May, Emmanuel Macron of France, Italy’s Sergio Mattarella, Russian Federation’s Dmitry Medvedev,  Sweden’s Stefan Lofven and Norway’s Erna Solberg.

    According to ILO, a  large number of heads of state and government will be attending the conference.

    In his capacity as the President of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba will address the 108th Centenary Session of the ILC.

    Wabba will address workers, employers and government leaders across the world on various issues affecting workers and their welfare.

    In the past, Nigeria had often been represented by the labour minister, but as President Buhari is yet to announce his new cabinet, there would be no minister to lead Nigeria’s delegate to this year’s ILC.

    Highlighting what to expect at the 100th conference, Deputy Director of ILO, Dimitrina Dimitrova,  said the centenary ILC will be a gathering like no other.

    She noted that while the ILC is an annual event, this 108th session of the conference is taking place in the 100th year of the organisation.

    “To mark this special occasion, the focus will be on the profound transformations under way in the world of work, including the evolving role of the ILO in building a future of work we want,” she said.

    She revealed that about 5,700 government, employer and worker delegates from the ILO’s 187 member states will attend what is often called the ‘world parliament of labour.’

     

    High-level visits

    More than 50 high-level dignitaries, including about 45 heads of state or government,  will address the delegates during two high-level conference segments.Many heads of international organisations will take part in the discussions, either in the plenary sessions or the thematic forums. On  June 21, the conference will be honoured by the visit of the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres.

     

    The future of work

    The recommendations of the Global Commission on the Future of Work for a brighter future, published earlier this year, will guide much of the Centenary ILC’s work. In the past few months, ILO member states have held many national level dialogues to debate the report and delegates will address the issues raised in the plenary discussions.

     

    Fighting workplace

    violence and harassment

    Violence and harassment at work affects the health, security and wellbeing of working women and men. Following an initial discussion, held last year, the centenary conference will be considering the adoption of a convention accompanied by a recommendation on this critical issue.

     

    Centenary declaration

    In the Committee of the Whole, the delegates will consider a Centenary Declaration, which the Conference is expected to adopt. Discussions will cover the forces transforming the world of work and the mission of the ILO in shaping a future of shared prosperity for all.

     

    Application of standards

    As usual, the Committee on the Application of Standards will examine the application of ratified Conventions in a number of countries and point out areas where they could be better applied. It will also review the implementation of national policies on progressively achieving social protection for all, as outlined in this year’s general survey.

    Dimitrova explained further that in order to stimulate debate, a series of thematic forums and events will take place between June 13 and 18.

    “Interactive sessions will be attended by outstanding speakers and special guests. They will provide an opportunity for lively discussions on a broad range of issues shaping the future of work; jobs and skills, technology and decent work, freedom of association and collective bargaining.Other issues  include business for decent work, multilateralism and the future of  work and life transitions. A debate on building a brighter future without child labour will be held to mark World Day Against Child Labour,” she said.

  • Address security, NUPENG urges Buhari

    oil workers have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently address  rising insecurity, saying the security architecture is in dire straight.

    Acting under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the workers  decried the scourge of kidnapping, armed banditry, communal clashes, insurgency, advance-fee scam, cyber fraud, Boko Haram, armed robbery, ritual killings, herder-farmer conflicts, cattle rustling and youth restiveness, among others.

    NUPENG President Williams Akporeha said insecurity has given rise to a drastic cut in supply chain of both cash and food crops from the rural communities, leading to rural-urban migration. The situation, he said, has snowballed into population explosion and avoidable overstretching of infrastructure by people looking for safety and protection of their lives.

    He said: “Besides, this menace has drastically reduced investment profile of Nigeria because both local and foreign investors are scared of the hostile and insecure operating environment which serves as a risk to them over fear of potential monetary loss. As a result of this, many employable Nigerians are faced with difficult times.

    “We call on President Buhari, having secured a fresh mandate to speedily nip the security challenges of the country in the bud. This will serve as springboard to open windows of opportunities for socio-economic growth and advancement.

    “In the overall interest of Nigerians, we appeal to the government to rejig its economic team and also those saddled with national security and create space for more technocrats.”

    Comrade Apkporeha said it would also be a plus for the government to do away with people who have outlived their usefulness and others who have lost touch with the grassroots, because, in his view, the task ahead is enormous.

    “We however call on all Nigerians across the six geo-political zones to unite and support Buhari to lead the country in the next four years to the greatness that we all desire and deserve,” he said.

  • Ministry urges PENGASSAN not to forget Johnson’s family

    The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, William Alo, has urged Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), not to forget the family of its late president, Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson.

    Speaking when he led a delegation of the management staff of the Ministry on a condolence visit to the office of PENGASSAN in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary pledged that government would sustain the industrial peace and harmony he fought for.

    He enjoined those he left behind to bear the death of the Comrade with fortitude and be consoled by the numerous testimonies about the good life he lived.

    Commending the late Johnson on his achievements in the Petroleum and Natural Gas sector, Alo said: “The late PENGASSAN President employed his wealth of experience and administrative ingenuity in bringing about good industrial relation that has stabilised the sector.”

    He expressed shock, deep sorrow and pain over the death of the President, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson.

    He paid tribute to the departed comrade, describing him as a dependable ally of the Ministry, whose support and contribution assisted the Ministry in achieving its mandate of maintaining industrial peace and harmony in the country.

    In a response, the Acting President of PENGASSAN, Frank Esanubi, described the late Johnson as a great and humble man, who was versed in the ability to maintain relationships.

    He disclosed that PENGASSAN, in collaboration with social partners, would set up a Trust Fund for the education of the children of its late President, adding that details of that would be made known to the social partners in due course.

    In a related event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, condoled with PENGASSAN over the sad death of its National President, Francis Olabode Johnson.

    Dr. Esan said in a statement that the Johnson-led PENGASSAN and the Ministry enjoyed a very cordial relationship with the entire rank and file of PENGASSAN for the growth of the Oil and Gas Sector in particular and the advancement of the nation in general.

    “The Ministry will greatly miss his cool head, calm disposition and great grasp of the trends and understanding of policy directions of government. Our sympathies also go to the wife and children of Mr. Johnson and prayed to God to grant him and the rest of the Johnson’s Family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss, Amen,” the statement said.

     

  • ILO: women in leadership perform better

    A new report from the Bureau for Employers’ Activities of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) said businesses with genuine gender diversity, particularly at senior level, perform better, including seeing significant profit increases.

    The new report shows gender diversity improves business outcomes, and makes it easier to attract talent.

    The report also looks at the reasons behind the continuing gender diversity deficits, and makes recommendations for breaking the cycle.

    According to Director of the ILO Bureau for Employers’ Activities, Deborah France-Massin said companies should look at gender balance as a bottom line issue, not just a human resource issue.

    The report also found that, at national level, an increase in female employment is positively associated with GDP growth. The finding is based on an analysis of data from 186 countries for the period 1991-2017.

    France-Massin said: “We expected to see a positive correlation between gender diversity and business success, but these results are eye-opening.

    “When you consider the efforts companies make in other areas to get just an extra two or three per cent in profits, the significance is clear. Companies should look at gender balance as a bottom line issue, not just a human resource issue.

    The report says that the beneficial effects of gender diversity begin to accrue when women hold 30 percent of senior management and leadership positions. However, it says that almost 60 percent of enterprises do not meet this target, meaning they struggle to reap the rewards.

    In addition, in almost half of companies surveyed, women account for less than one in three of their entry-level management recruits – meaning that the pipeline to senior management may not deliver the talent needed.

    “In an era of skill shortages, women represent a formidable talent pool that companies aren’t making enough of”, she say.

  • FG pensioners demand payment of 33% arrears

    The Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners’ Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari  to include upward review of retirees pension in the implementation of the N30,000 new minimum wage and approve the payment of the 33 per cent arrears owed federal pensioners.

    In a second term inauguration congratulatory message jointly signed by Chief Temple  Ubani and Mr. Franklin Erinle, President General and General Secretary respectively, FEPPPAN urged him to better their lives the more by approving the payment of the outstanding 33 per cent arrears owed federal pensioners.

    “With gratitude to the Almighty God, we write on behalf of members of FEPPPAN to felicitate with you on your inauguration as the sixth civilian President of Nigeria. “We want to thank and also commend you for your love for the senior citizens of this country which is easily noticeable in your effort for regular payment of our monthly pension. The situation can only get better with the immediate payment of the outstanding arrears of 33 per cent for federal pensioners,” the union said.

  • Minimum Wage: ‘Fed Govt can’t cheat workers’

    The organised labour has dismissed insinuations that the Federal Government was not sincere enough to implement the N30,000 new minimum wage.

    The President-General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC),  Bobboi Kaigama, said this in Akure during the fifth Triennial Delegates’ Conference of the Ondo State chapter of the union.

    Kaigama insisted that the new minimum wage as approved by President Muhammadu Buhari was not a scam, adding that labour unions and their leaders were not sleeping.

    The TUC president assured that organised labour was following developments at the committee to ensure workers were not short -changed with the new minimum wage table.

    “No no no, we are not sleeping, the battle for the minimum wage is very straight and we are not sleeping on it, what we are currently doing is to create a template.

    “And that is why we are trying to appeal to those that are receiving more than N30,000, it’s not something you do by magic, it’s technical and that is why we (government and labour) set-up (Presidential) Technical Committee to look into the matter.

    “We don’t believe government can scam the workers because I believe in the welfarism of everybody and I don’t have doubt in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to honour the deal,” he said.

    At the swearing-in of its new officers, Kaigama who was represented by the Secretary-General of TUC, Musa Lawal, noted that a presidential technical committee to work out new salary templates was set up and it is expected to submit its report next week.

    Helen Odofin emerged the new State Chairman. Other newly elected officers included Clement Fatuase – Vice Chairman; Soladoye Ekundayo – Ex-officio; Dayo Adebiyi -State Secretary; Tope Akinsola – Asst Sec; Taimiyu Olufemi – Treasurer;

    Others are; Ikechukwu Nneke – Fin Sec; Femi Owolabi -PRO; Olusegun Akinbolasere -Auditor I; Makinde Ayesoro – Chairman.

    The outgone State Chairman of TUC, Mr Soladoye Ekundayo, advised the new executive members to make a judicious use of their time and energies by attending to issues that affect workers.

    Odofin, the new TUC chairman, in her acceptance speech said: “The congress and its teeming members have at this time asked me to take lead in the struggle for workers welfare and I have accepted.”

    The Ondo state Chairman of the Nigeria labour Congress (NLC),  Sunday Adeleye, said labour unions in the state would start negotiations on the new minimum wage as soon as the Federal Government comes up with an acceptable template.

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu reiterated his administration’s determination to improve on the welfare of workers.

  • ITF to partner Lagos on job creation

    The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Lagos State Government to create employment for the youth.

    About 300 youths have been trained and graduated by the Fund   in various trades to breed new generation of entrepreneurs under its National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP). They include catering and event management, tiling and aluminum fabrication.

    The Lagos zone of the NISDP started the seventh phase of a three- month training of youths last August in catering and events management, tiling and plaster of Paris, aluminum fabrication.

    Speaking at the closing ceremony of the NISDP at Ojota, Lagos, ITF Director-General, Sir Joseph Ari,  represented by the Director of Service, Mrs Adesola Tayo, said within the last two years, ITF, through the NISDP, has equipped over 3, 100 youths from Lagos with employability and entrepreneurship skills.

    He said “Our commitment to skills  acquisition is based on the fact that it is the mot sustainable solution to combating unemployment, reducing poverty and youths restiveness in the country.

    “It is incontrovertible that any society that neglects the development of its human capital is bound to retrogress in terms of growth and development.

    Read Also: NSITF promises workers better deal

    “In Nigeria, the situation is especially worrisome as even in the face of existing vacancies in several sectors of the national economy as revealed by surveys conducted by the ITF and other organisations, youths roam the streets without any form of gainful employment, giving rise to crimes and other social vices that have beset our dear nation.’’

    He said ITF was determined to support the Federal Government and the Lagos State government by initiating skills acquisition programmes.

    Lagos State Establishment and Training Director, Mr Tayo Ajimuda, who represented former governor Akinwunmi Ambode, expressed happiness that the training had recorded huge success as many Lagos residents had taken advantage of it to become creators of wealth and employment, thereby contributing to the growth of the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    “Our administration will continue to explore avenue and implement measures, which will address societal challenges and improve the quality of life of our people,” he said.