The Nation Newspaper

Category: Labour

  • Gap between rich, poor worries NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed concern over the widening gap between rich and poor Nigerians in accessing healthcare and other services.

    NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba made this known at the 10th National Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) in Abuja.

    The theme of the conference was: “Advancing national campaign toward good governance, poverty alleviation, health for all for development.’’

    The labour leader said in other countries, the rich subsidised healthcare for the poor, saying that the reverse was the case in Nigeria.

    “The inequality gap in health care services between the rich and the poor in our country is getting expanded whereas in other countries it is the rich that subsidise cost of care for the poor but in our country it is the poor that subsidise for the rich.

    “The conference theme is very important and strategic because there cannot be development when majority of the people are so impoverished; we cannot talk about development if workers salaries cannot even take them to their next bus stop.

    “We cannot talk about development when our pensioners after working for 35 years have a living that is difficult. What is central is for our system to bring about equity and fairness in all ramifications,” Wabba said.

    He, however, identified the existing situation as the factor responsible for the nation’s poor health indices as well as underdevelopment, stressing that the component of the conference’s theme is key to development of any society.

    According to him, some of the health indices like maternal, child mortality, disease burden, general health services and government can only achieve the desired goals when the system is working.

    He blamed the failure of democracy on the privileged few who corner the resources to themselves.

    Wabba said: “We ought not to be where we are, if we are able to do what is right.”

    The NLC chief flayed the disparities in salaries and tax payment, saying there is no justification for the lowest paid workers to pay higher taxes than the elected public office holders.

    Wabba stressed the need for the continuous review of workers’ salaries like that of political office holders.

    “If you are increasing the salary of members of the political class, you can look at the same percentage to increase the salaries of other workers because we create and promote wealth of our nation.

    “So, if we create wealth for the nation, we must be compensated,” Wabba added.

  • Textile workers knock governors for abandoning pension scheme

    • Hail Buhari on Micro Pension Plan

    THE National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria has condemned  governors yet to implement the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), saying they have no excuse 15 years after the scheme kicked off.

    Speaking with reporters in Abuja, the union’s Secretary-General, Comrade Issa Aremu, lamented that 19 governors were yet to domesticate the scheme. He said this was against the Pension Reform Act of 2014.

    He lamented that while some governors were finding it difficult to sign their workers onto the scheme, they  had devised ways of making political offices pensionable.

    Aremu faulted the practice where governors after serving for two terms of eight years become entitled to pension.

    This, he noted, is against the International Labour Law, which prescribed 10 years for a worker to be entitled to a pension.

    He said: “We are excited that we are having an inclusive pension scheme. What will make the scheme sustainable depends on the success we have recorded from those who have really been in the scheme.

    “Even for the formal sector, there is still so much work to be done. We  have about seven million workers covered and for the formal sector, that is not enough and I see some private sector employers that are not part of the scheme.

    “The one that is not acceptable is that some state government have not subscribed to the scheme. As at the last count, only 17 states had signed to the Contributory Pension Scheme.

    “This is a compulsory scheme and it should go round. I think the organised labour has to do more because if we are concerned about life at work through wages. We should also be concerned with life after work using pension.”

    He added that civil servants in many states were not covered, noting that this implied that when they left work, they would not have much to fall back on.

    He added: “This is unacceptable because these are governors who decided to make a non-pensionable job of two terms to be pensionable and this is a scandal that must be interrogated.

    “They all copy these laws to make two-term governors collect pensions to death. This is against the labour law, which states that one must work for a minimum of ten years to be able to get a pension. Two terms for governors are eight years.”

    He called on the National Pension Commission to intensify its enforcement mechanism so that many workers would be captured in the  scheme.

    “The pension scheme has guaranteed regular payment for our members. We, in the NLC, are not only advocating minimum wage for those who are working but we want a minimum pension for pensioners.

    “The large army of workers are in the informal sector and they have been excluded from the scheme. They need to think of life after work because this micro pension is vital for the workers.

    “This scheme should be able to cover 80 million people in the workforce and the informal sector covers about 70 per cent of the organised private sector.”

    Aremu, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the Micro Pension Plan, which extends retirement benefits to informal sector workers.

    According to him, the President’s stamp would legitimise the CPS for informal and informal sectors.

    “If implemented, pension coverage will be more inclusive to include millions of self-employed who for now are not assured of life after work no less they are assured of life during work due to income inadequacy.

    “There will be sustainable investable funds for socio-economic development. So far, with as many as 8.5 million formal sector workers covered, as much as N8.7 trillion pension assets have been accumulated.

    “With potential 80 million workforce, the potential for accumulated workers’capital is better imagined. Micro pension is certainly a sustainable measure against mass income poverty that has pushed workers in both formal and informal sectors into the abyss of poverty.

    “With the micro pension launch and expected attendant increase in pension assets, there is no doubt that the nation is also assured of investable funds for poverty alleviation as well as wealth generation,” he said.

  • TUC women advocate change in politics

    The Women Commission of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has called for a change in politics.

    At a conference in Lagos, the commission’s outgoing chairperson, Comrade Oyinkan Olasanoye, lamented that the general elections held a few weeks ago left tears, sorrow and blood on their trail.

    She said: “Though women were murdered, more men were killed. The number of widows increases by the day in Nigeria because of insecurity deliberately created by our politicians.

    “We wear the shoes, so we can tell where it pinches. Our style of politics must change. Winner-takes-all kind of politics is what creates tension in our country. Winners should be magnanimous in victory by carrying all along,” she said.

    On the theme of the conference, “Balance for Better,” Olasanoye said it was borne out of the desire to encourage women to rise up to the task ahead.

    She noted that the odds were against the womenfolk, and it would require die-hard progressives to change the paradigm.

    “Freedom anywhere is not got on a gold platter. People work for it. Rosa Parks refused to stand for a white person on a bus because she knew her rights. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Margaret Ekpo played their roles well,” she said, emphasising that it was sad that, even in this modern day, many people still have certain stereotypes about the role of women in society, despite that women are excelling in all human endeavours.

    She, however, challenged women to fight for their rights and overcome the obstacles, because it was time for women to take advantage of their inherent ability to create a niche for themselves as well as empower others.

  • NECA lauds Buhari for rejecting Housing Bill

    The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for declining assent to the National Housing Fund (Establishment) Bill 2018, sent to him by the National Assembly.

    It said the proposed Sustainable Development Levy will increase the cost of building materials.

    Its Director-General Mr. Timothy Olawale said Buhari’s action was laudable and a demonstration of his government’s responsiveness to the concerns of organised businesses; and an affirmation of the government’s commitment to the Ease of Doing Business Initiative.

    Olawale listed some of the contentious provisions in the bill as the introduction of a levy of 2.5 per cent for a 50 kg bag of cement.

    He listed the implications of this provision to include increase in the cost of building materials and that cement manufacturers will lose market competitiveness.

    Read also: NECA hails Buhari on Micro Pension Plan

    He said manufacturers and businesses were already saddled with several challenges, such as infrastructural decay and power, among others.

    “Some companies are closing shop due to some of these challenges; others are struggling to stay afloat. The proposed levy would  lead to an increase in the cost of doing business, and would likely be passed to the consumers whose purchasing power is already weak,” he said.

    Olawale noted that the levy is a form of VAT and that the  courts had frowned against imposition of double taxes on businesses.

    He said: “The contribution by  workers was changed from 2.5 per cent of monthly basic salary to 2.5 per cent of monthly income (which is total emolument). This will weaken the purchasing power of the average worker and could lead to defiance and deliberate attempt at non-compliance.”

    He raised concern over the huge sanctions in the bill, which is up to N100 million, adding that this could be seen as pecuniary-driven, adding that it would defeat the objective of the national housing scheme.

    As a way out, the NECA boss urged the government to amend the contentious provisions.

  • NUFBTE warns firm against engaging expatriates

    The National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) President, Comrade Lateef Oyelekan, has advised   Lacasera Company management not to allow expatriates take over positions meant for Nigerians.

    He gave the advice when Lacasera Company new Managing Director, Mr. Chinedum Okereke, visited NUFBTE executives in Lagos.

    Comrade Oyelekan, who is also the vice president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), told reporters after the meeting, that part of their discussions was how the company would ensure that it secured Nigerian jobs from expatriates.

    Oyelekan said: ‘’We said he should use it to protect the interest of Nigerians because if you look back most of his colleagues have erred and disappointed Nigerians.

    “Some of his colleagues back then employed expatriates into all the departments whereas Nigerians were looking for jobs.

    “If not for the intervention of President Muhammadu with Presidential Order 5 that says all jobs that Nigerians can conveniently do should not be given to expatriates, we would have been faced with more people roaming about the streets jobless,” he said.

    Read also: NUFBTE partners MINILS to boost workers’ industrial relations knowledge

    It would be recalled that the Executive Order 5 is made up of 18 sections covering various headings: Preferences, Accreditation, contract award, Language of contract, capacity development, Disqualification from contract award; Database of experts in Nigeria among others.

    Oyelekan lamented that the issue of expatriates taking Nigerian jobs had become uncontrollable in the food sector, such that even the position of a supervisor is given to an expatriate, but that Okereke promised to do what it takes to ensure that the interests of Nigerians were safeguarded.

    “We have also promised to give him all the necessary support for him to excel and make the company grow and excel.

    “We have also mandated our members and officers to give the company all the necessary support in order for it to turn around for the betterment of Nigeria,” he added.

    He further said the government was ready to listen and get information on over the influx of expatriates and that the government reacted.

    “Most of the multinationals are coming with robots and modern equipment, such that where they ought to engage 200 Nigerians, they will employ only five workers.

    “This is where the government needs to look at critically because with our population, we are not matured enough to use robots in our factories.

    “If india and China didn’t allow robots, because they will create problem of unemployment, then the Federal Government needs to come up with a policy that sophisticated machines and  robots should not be allowed in Nigeria because we are regularly producing millions of graduates in the country,” he said.

     

  • ‘Separate Petroleum ministry from Presidency’

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to separate the Ministry of Petroleum Resources from the Presidency to make it efficient.

    It urged the incoming federal lawmakers to ensure that they pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) as soon as possible.

    PENGASSAN President Francis Olabode spoke after the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos.

    Briefing reporters, he said Buhari should ensure that the Petroleum Ministry was separated in his second term.

    “The office of the President is too big to add Petroleum Ministry to it. There are a lot of things to be done to make Nigeria independent in refining our products rather than relying on imports,” he said.

    On the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Olabode lamented that it had suffered delays over the years.

    He said: “This bill, which started as the Oil and Gas Sector Reform Implementation Committee report, has been on for 18 years since April 2000. It has gone through various stages with the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill at the forefront.

    “We call on the government (both the executive and legislative arms) to ensure that this bill is passed as soon as they settle down in order to have investors’ confidence in our industry.”

    He said the bill was being stalled by multinationals who believe that it would unfavourable to them.

    Olabode expressed concern over casualisation, contract staffing and outsourcing in the oil and gas industry, saying: “We will continue to engage various stakeholders in ensuring that this menace is adequately resolved in the larger interest of our members

    He stated that to cut cost, most companies, especially the indigenous ones, had resorted to underhand tactics in labour-management relations.

    “Some of these include prevention of members from unionising, disrespect for signed collective bargaining agreements and intimidation and victimisation of labour union and members,” he said.

    He however commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in ensuring  adequate supply of the Premium Motor Spirit (petrol).

    He said: “We call on the government to intensify efforts at increasing local refining and remove all encumbrances to the full rehabilitation of all the refineries.

    Olabode commended the Federal Government in it fight against corruption, adding that it should cover all sectors.

    His word: “We believe that the fight against corruption should not be allowed to shrink but rather sustained to cover all sectors and maintain the gains under this dispensation.

    “We advise that reports of probes instituted by the two chambers of the National Assembly and other agencies of government should not be shoved aside but dusted, and those indicted prosecuted.

    “The government should make all effort to see that all recovered looted funds should be accounted for and re-invested into the economy to reduce unemployment.”

    Olabode called on the government to optimise productivity and economic growth.

    “I want to assure you that all industrial issues with utmost seriousness that the elections are over and all recalcitrant companies who think they are above Nigerian laws should brace up for a rude awakening, as the association will explore all possible means to ensure no organisation undermines any provisions of the country’s laws,” he said.

     

  • Nigeria, India to resuscitate over 500 skill centres

    The  Federal Government is seeking the collaboration of the Indian Government to boost Nigeria’s skill acquisition centres to enhance job creation across the country.

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who spoke when he received the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria,  Abhay Thakur, said the partnership would go a long way in resuscitating the over 500 skill acquisition centres across the country.

    Ngige said: “Over 5000 skill acquisition centres are scattered across the country and the resuscitation of these centres would assist the government create more employment and entrepreneurs in the country.”

    The Minister urged India to key into the local content capacity programme for mutual benefits – jobs for Nigerians and profits for Indians.

    He called for the revival of the labour capacity building programme, an exchange programme between Nigeria and India, which trained a lot of labour officers in Indian labour institutes, as part of technical assistance to Nigeria, which was stopped in 2013.

    Ngige urged the Indian Government to protect Nigerians working in India by providing labour protection and ease of doing business for Nigerians living in India.

    “Nigeria and India have a lot in common and a robust relationship that has spanned many years in the area of trade, education, labour, foreign Affairs and there is need to further strengthen the bilateral relationship” the Minister added.

    The Minister of State Labour and Employment, Professor Stephen Ocheni, solicited continued partnership, especially in consular issues.

    Earlier, Thakur commended the government for providing an enabling working environment for Indians to conduct their businesses.

    He said India looked forward to training Nigerians in the Indian labour institutes, as well as maximising the use of local content in running their businesses.

    The High Commissioner said the two countries have excellent relationship and that India was looking at the possibilities of having a direct flight from Nigeria to India.

  • NUPENG confirms Afolabi as Gen Sec

    The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has confirmed Comrade Olawale Afolabi as its General Secretary. He has been acting for three months.

    Afolabi has served the union for over two decades.

    According to the union, he is known for the creation, development and launch of viable operations with robust, deep and ingenious ideas.

    “His skills in industrial relations, general management and organisational development were acquired and nurtured over the years in various roles,” the union said.

    A founding member of Nigerian Labour Movement Educators’ Forum, Afolabi was in charge of the education and training.

    Read also: NUPENG, PTD to Atiku: shelve legal action over poll

    Similarly, the union has promoted Comrade Christopher Akpede to Deputy General Secretary, Administration. He was principal assistant general secretary and head of the Port Harcourt zone of the union.

    Others, who were promoted to the position of deputy general secretary were Comrades Anthony Chukwu (finance/accounts) and Otite Precious Onohwohwo (Operations).

    They will assume duties on  Monday April 1.

  • Govt begins harmonisation of MDAs salaries

    The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) has begun the  harmonisation of salaries in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    Defending the commission’s budget at the National Assembly, its Executive Chairman, Dr. Richard Onwuka Egbule, said to achieve an enduring harmonisation, efforts were being made to have a comprehensive review of the grading system.

    Egbule explained that the commission achieved a 74 per cent implementation of the 2018 budget, which he hoped would be surpassed this year.

    He said after 25 years of its inauguration, the commission was facing accommodation problem.

    Egbule said it was due to the lack of space that the commission could not recruit in the last 10 years, adding that the need for more office space has become more pressing.

    He noted that NSIWC operates from six  locations which, according to him, would not enhance the building of a distinct organisational culture, adding that contacts had been made to ameliorate the situation, including a courtesy visit to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory  (FCT).

    The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Inter-Governmental Affairs, Alhaji Husseini Kangiwa, called on the Commission to make office space a priority and build it into its budget and bring in the National Assembly to back it up.

    He noted that an important agency like NSIWC that is at the heart of workers’welfare should have a befitting building.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has concluded the process leading to the disbursement of subsidies to the six licensed Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos) as part of its plans to boost broadband penetration and make it pervasive nationwide.

    This was part of the digital transformation agenda, which NCC has put in place for actualisation. The subsidy will augment the InfraCos’ capital expenditure (CAPEX).

  • Fed Govt, private sector to partner on labour-friendly policies

    The  Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has called for synergy between the government and the private sector in promoting labour-friendly policies.

    The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, William Nwankwo Alo, made the call in Abuja when the Director-General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Timothy Olawale, visited him.

    He described NECA as a critical and dependable partner in maintaining industrial harmony in Nigeria, and therefore encouraged the association to join hands with government to move the country forward.

    The Permanent Secretary pledged government’s continued support to NECA, and appreciated the association’s outstanding performance in providing the platform for private sector employers to interact with government.

    The Permanent Secretary was optimistic that Federal Government and NECA would continue to have a robust relationship, which would bring peace and tranquillity in the work environment.

    Earlier, the Director-General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, Timothy Olawale, said the association would continue to partner with government to deepen the nation’s industrial relation’s system and ensure industrial harmony.

    In a related development, Alo has called for a more comprehensive identification of risks associated with the Labour sector, for inclusion in the National Risk Register.

    The Permanent Secretary spoke at the flag-off of a workshop on the Development of National Risk Register (NRR) for Nigeria, organised for the staff of the ministry.

    He described as narrow, the risk proposed by the Risk Assessment Working Group (RAWG) for ownership by the Ministry – Industrial Action Affecting Key Industries and Government-run Services.

    He said: “It, therefore, became necessary to develop in-house capacities on the subject for more comprehensive identification of risks associated with the Labour sector”.

    Represented by Director, Human Resources and Management, Mr Ajibola Ibrahim, the Permanent Secretary said: “Any unidentified risk in this sector would not appear on the Risk Register, and would not be taken into cognisance while planning for avoidance of occurrence or reduction of impact on the nation’s economy.”

    According to him, the National Risk Register is developed and maintained by countries to serve as information and planning tool on risk identification and management, and Nigeria is adopting the process as a best practice.

    Director, Special Duties/Projects, Dr Martina Nwordu said the training was aimed at building staff capacity in-house to enable optimal contribution to the development of the NRR, with the labour sector adequately covered; and to acquire sufficient knowledge to develop Local Risk Register (LRR) for the ministry at various levels.