The Nation Newspaper

Category: Labour

  • Address insecurity, infrastructure decay, union urges Fed Govt

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has urged the Federal Government to address the challenges facing the country, especially insecurity and infrastructure decay.

    A statement signed by its President, Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson and General Secretary Comrade Lumumba Ighotemu Okugbawa, to mark Nigeria’s 58th independence, said many challenges must be surmounted for the country to be great.

    According to PENGASSAN, nepotism, impunity, unemployment, capital flight, abuse of power, among others, portend serious threat to the nation’s development. Major investments, he said, would continue to elude the country if infrastructure and insecurity are not addressed.

    The association emphasised the need for the government to address the gaps in the legal framework, which guides operations and activities in the oil and gas industry through the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which has suffered several setbacks. It noted that the Bill, when passed, will attract and retain more investments.

    PENGASSAN also noted that Nigerians have made progress in agriculture, commerce, banking, and manufacturing in the 19 years of uninterrupted democratic rule.

    Pointing out that the country’s resources could make it a force to be reckoned with in the comity of nations, the Association, however, said a lot of work was required for Nigeria to take its rightful place on the global stage.

    They expressed dissatisfaction over the resurgence of attacks by Boko Haram militants in the Northeast and Northcentral parts and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta.

    The oil workers also said the inability of security agencies to contain attacks portend danger, especially as the country approaches the 2019 elections.

    They said: “We urge the security agencies to re-jig their security architecture to get rid of these insurgents. We strongly condemn the killing of Saifura Khorsa, one of the health workers with the International Committee of Red Cross, who was kidnapped from Kala-Balge, Borno State by Boko Haram.

    “PENGASSAN thereby calls on the government to do all within its powers to secure the release of all those abducted by the insurgents, including Leah Sharibu, the Dapchi Schoolgirl.

    “We also call on the government to tackle unemployment, address infrastructural decay and fashion out deliberate policies that will eradicate poverty in the country,” the statement said.

    They added that the Independence Day Anniversary afforded the country the opportunity to review the progress made so far in the nation’s socio-economic and political journey.

    It was also an opportunity to appreciate the sacrifice of thousands of the nation’s forefathers, who laid down their lives to make the country breathe the air of freedom and keep Nigeria as one.

     

  • NLC harps on press freedom, rule of law

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said that part of the dividends of democracy was respect for press freedom, rule of law, human and trade union rights. It, implored politicians and law enforcement agencies to respect these rights.

    In a communiqué issued after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Labour House, Abuja, the NLC advised reporters to be fair and credible in their reportage.

    The NLC decried the mounting arrears of unpaid pension and gratuity, asking states to give priority to the payment of pension and gratuity.

    “The NEC also urged that the last tranche of the Paris Club Refund should only be released if it is ascertained that it would be used to settle outstanding pension and gratuity by state governments,” NLC said.

    NLC observed that federal civil servants who retired under the contributory pension scheme in July, last year, have not been paid their entitlements, saying it has led to the death of some retirees.

    “The NEC noted that the problem was from the Federal Ministry of Finance, leading to the death of some retirees.

    “The NEC demands that the Federal Ministry of Finance should do the needful and expeditiously remit all accrued benefits to PENCOM and ensure that subsequent remittances are done as and when due,” it said.

  • Don’t vote for selfish politicians, workers told

    The Senior Staff Association of NigerianUniversities (SSANU) has warned workers against voting for politicians that will not create a conducive working environment.

    In a communiqué issued after its 34th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, at the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, its National President, Samson Igwoke, said some politicians forget to pursue popular policies that can improve the lives of the people after they get into office.

    SSANU berated the Federal Government for refusing to obey court orders on the re-engagement of sacked university staff school workers.

    The communiqué, signed by Igwoke and the National Public Relations Officer, Abdussobur Salaam, warned against the proliferation of universities.

    The communiqué read in part: “NEC calls on all Nigerians to be more circumspect and careful in the choice of leaders who would determine the affairs of the nation for the next four years.

    “NEC urges Nigerians to be wary of politicians who make promises they never mean to keep, noting that the hopes of the ordinary Nigerians have been dashed and their trust in those who seek to lead them have been betrayed time and time again.

    “NEC notes that it is the way of politicians and members of the political class in Nigeria to seek all means, fair or foul, to control the wealth of the nation at the expense of the ordinary citizen who continues to live in abject poverty, pain and hopelessness.

    “NEC, therefore, urges citizens to realise the great power they have over the electoral process by obtaining their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) in order to exercise their powers and ensure that themselves and their children are not used for political violence and other unwholesome acts that can jeopardise the electoral process.”

    The union noted that the minimum wage negotiations were becoming unnecessarily protracted, saying that it does appear that the Federal Government is not sincere about the negotiations and that the decision of the Federal Government team to unilaterally postpone the meeting of the Committee sine die, on the grounds of further consultations, is flimsy.

    The communiqué added: “SSANU joins the Nigeria Labour Congress to call on the Federal Government to face the serious business of reviewing the national minimum wage lest it incur the wrath of the Nigerian workers and their millions of dependants who have been long suffering and patient.

    “Workers should not be pushed to the wall, as the implication of this, could have dire consequences on governance.”

    On the proliferation of universities that do not have the required equipment for excellent teaching, SSANU expressed worry about the rate of approvals granted for new universities by the government.

    It observed that the establishment of universities has almost become  constituency projects as every Senator seems to be sponsoring a bill for the establishment or upgrade of an institution to a university in his or her constituency.

    While stressing that the universities may have challenges meeting up with the increasing admission needs of the country, SSANU insisted that the solution was not the proliferation of universities.

    The union said rather, the government should improve the funding and infrastructure of the universities to increase their capacities and the number of students they could admit.

  • ITF to prosecute firms for declaring false account statements

    The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) is set to prosecute companies that declare false statement of account to reduce payment of one per cent from their total yearly income as training contribution, its Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Joseph Ari, has said.

    Companies, he said, avoided paying the required contribution by declaring three different financial accounts – one to management, another to shareholders and another to ITF- contrary to the law.

    Ari spoke at a meeting with representatives of higher institutions and contributing employers in Lagos, under the theme: “Indigenous human resource development in Nigeria”.

    He accused the companies of a crime, adding that the fund was synergising with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to work out a solution.

    He said the fund provided for refund of up to a maximum of 50 per cent of the amount paid by an employer as re-imbursement for training expenses and those with delays are those who submit wrong information to it.

    “ITF as a body is interested in equipping workers with skills and our provisions are designed to encourage employers of labour to train their workforce across all cadres.

    “To qualify for reimbursement, contributing employers are expected to be up to date in payment of training contribution, train their workforce and meet all requirements as contained in the reimbursement guidelines,” he stated.

    Ari said ITF related with employers and institutions of higher learning in Nigeria in training, re-training and bridging the gap between what  students learn in school and what they are expected to do in the work setting after graduation.

    He said the training institute has been able to equip more Nigerians with skills, as its artisans training done, in conjunction with Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and the 36 states with the Federal Capital Territory, was a success with the provision of starter packs to them.

    “More states have  added to the number we train as they have seen the benefit and our investigation from the monitoring and tracking process showed that 90 per cent of artisans have successfully set up their businesses with the starter packs provided to them, which is a big plus for the scheme”, the ITF boss added.

    He said there was an arrangement with the Joint Admissions, and Matriculation Board (JAMB), where artisans under it could be admitted to 200 level in tertiary institutions after their training. This was to further their education, which would give them a chance to get a degree and further reduce unemployment in the country.

  • NDE, CBN to empower youths

    The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) is to collaborate with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to raise about N17.7 billion for its ‘50 under 35 Project’ aimed at empowering young businessmen and women in all senatorial zones of the country.

    The NDE is also planning to partner the National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN) to train about 3, 700 youths in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

    Its Director-General Dr. Nasir Ladan Mohammed, who made this known when the president of NYCN, Comrade Bello Bala Shagari, led other leaders of the group on a visit, said 50 youths who are under 35 and have businesses are the project’s prime target.

    Ladan said each of the youth would access up to N3 million from the money when it becomes available to boost their businesses and reposition them to provide employment to others.

    He said the NDE was established mainly to help train Nigerians in different areas and be employers rather than waiting for government to provide jobs.

    He said: “We are ready to partner any group as far as unemployment is concerned in this country. As such we are going to train about 100 youths, each from the 36 states and the FCT, making it about 3, 700. So, I urge you to send their names to us.

    “We are going to train for you and we are also going to settle them for you. This is because we will make sure unemployment is reduced in the country.”

    Speaking on the forthcoming general elections, Ladan urged the youth to mobilise their members to take advantage of the ongoing voters’ registration so as not to be disfranchised.

    He advised them against being used by politicians as thugs to disrupt the process of electioneering in the country.

  • Labour promises workers better deal

    Labour leaders under the auspices of the Trade Union Side of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have pledged to pursue enhanced welfare package for workers.

    In a statement in Abuja, JNPSNC Chairman, Comrade Abdrafiu Alani Adeniji, said the Federal and state governments appeared not to be giving attention to public servants’ welfare.

    Reflecting on the stalemate in the on-going negotiation of a new National Minimum Wage, the labour leader stated that lack of the government’s commitment towards the welfare of public service employees was the main reason why government attempted to stall the negotiation, which prompted the trade unions to issue a 14-day ultimatum on the matter.

    “It is sad that in spite of the poverty ravaging the country due to meagre wage and consequent low purchasing power of workers, government is not disposed to treating the on-going negotiation of a new National Minimum Wage with the urgency it deserves.

    “We, therefore, use this opportunity to pledge the support of the Trade Union Side of JNPSNC to the leadership of NLC and TUC and praise them for their effort in pursuing the on-going negotiation of a new salary regime for Nigerian workers,” the Union stated.

    According to the labour leader, if the new national minimum wage, which must be a living wage, is approved and the Federal and 36 state governments implement same immediately, the purchasing powers of millions of workers would improve  and this would  stimulate the economy.

    The unions constituting the Trade Union Side of the JNPSNC are: Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN); Nigeria Union of Public Service Reportorial, Secretarial Data Processors and Allied Workers (NUPSRAW); Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU); Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical  and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE).

    Others are: National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM); Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN); Agriculture and Allied Workers Union of Nigeria (AAWUM); and National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Product Workers (NUPPPPROW).

     

  • Workers urge Fed Govt to strengthen EFCC, ICPC

    Workers in the steel industry have called on the Federal Government to give free hand to institutions saddled with fighting financial crimes and others to operate.

    The workers decried the flagrant abuse of laws at various levels of government and by agencies, adding that only a non-biased institution can ensure good governance and protection of the treasury.

    At a workshop held in Ibadan with the theme: “Trade unionism and the enhancement of workers in the steel and engineering industry”,  some workers under the aegis of Steel and Engineering Workers Union (SEWUN), regretted that the country has become a laughing stock among the comity of nations.

    The union said this was because the leadership has deliberately decided to wreck the country and further impoverish the masses.

    In a communiqué signed by its National President, Comrade Elijah Adigun, and Senior Principal Deputy General Secretary, Comrade Idowu Johnson, SEWUN praised the government for the successes recorded so far in the fight against crime.

    It, however, charged the government to be total in the fight, irrespective of party affiliations and whose ox is gored. The workers blamed the government for not obeying court orders, stating that it is a very bad precedence in a growing democracy like Nigeria’s.

    Comrade Adigun also appealed to the National Assembly to remove the bureaucratic bottlenecks in the guise of voluntarism placed on the process for workers to belong to trade unions, adding that privatisation has taken the jobs of its members, especially as the privatised establishments are under performing.

    The union charged the government to protect local industries and the value of the naira. “The cost of production has risen astronomically, while the purchasing power of workers remained constant. Government has told us we have exited recession, but from the look of things, that has not been the case,” he said.

  • Minimum wage: Union warns govt against delay

    Inconsistencies by representatives of the Federal Government on the Minimum Wage Committee may be a ploy to delay the take-off of a new wage, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), has said.

    The union warned federal and state governments not to take for granted the patience and understanding of the working class over a new wage that ought to have been in place over three years ago.

    Speaking at its 34th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Delta State University, Abraka, SSANU President Samson Ugwoke expressed worry over the seemingly lukewarm attitude of the Federal Government’s representatives.

    SSANU also urged security agencies to stop fighting among themselves and go back to the drawing board to fight Boko Haram insurgents that have recently unleashed attacks on military bases and civilians in Borno State.

    He said: “We warn the Federal Government not to push labour to the wall. When it comes to the welfare of workers, they start being economical, but when it comes to election, they easily dish out money to buy votes.”

    On security, with regard to insurgency, Ugwoke said current reports did not show that Boko Haram has been decimated as claimed by the government.

    He added: “The military should go back to the drawing board; they should work together as the in-fighting among the security agencies cannot help in the fight against insurgency.

    “Budget for Defence should be well utilised and should not be used to drive big cars by security agents.”

    SSANU condemned the use of security agencies by the Executive arm of government against the Legislative arm, describing such action as a threat to democracy.

    The association advised the Executive arm of government to respect the rule of law and abide by court judgments, adding that the rule of law is the bedrock of democracy, which should be respected.

    On the 2019 general elections, Ugwoke raised the alarm that the way politicians were going about the process was frightening and urged politicians to play according to the rules to ensure the military remains in the barracks.

    He lamented the bad condition of roads in the Southsouth and Southeast, describing the roads in the two geo-political zones as death traps, appealing to the government to embark on urgent road rehabilitation in the zones.

  • 2019: More labour leaders join political race

    MORE Labour leaders have joined the race for political offices in next year’s elections.

    Some are contesting on the platform of Labour Party (LP), others are doing it under the umbrella of other parties.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has assured them of its support no matter their platform.

    Trade Union Congress (TUC), President Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama is contesting for Taraba State governor under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The General Secretary of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SASCGOC),  an affiliate of TUC, Comrade Ayo Olorunfemi, is vying for a seat in the House of Representatives, under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    General Secretary of Textile Workers and member of the NLC National Executive Council, Comrade Issa Aremu, is eyeing  Kwara State governorship under the Labour Party.

    NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba said organised labour would encourage more workers and their leaders to go into politics.

    Wabba pointed out that the labour leaders were qualified and capable to deliver.

    He added that they would not insist that all workers or labour leaders should contest under the Labour Party.

    Wabba told reporters: “Let me tell you our approach to the whole issue; we are going to support workers and people of integrity to go into politics because if you say it is a dirty game and you leave it to few, it will continue to be so. So, whatever platform that those workers, or those our partners will be using, we will support it.

    “We cannot put our eggs in one basket. Yes, it is true we are working to revive Labour Party and we are making progress, but it is not only a party for election, no.  It is a party that will have a very clear ideology and philosophy to represent the interest of the working class, the poor and the downtrodden.

    “I think the approach now, if you look at the situation of Nigeria, is to look at our people, our workers, our members, whichever platform they choose, we will support them because if they are there, they can bring about change; but not to be fixated to say, no they have to be on Labour Party platform.”

    He said NLC would support such people, and that it was working assiduously to revive the Labour Party.

    Kaigama, who spoke on his aspiration after collecting his governorship nomination form, said his priority was to improve the living condition of the ordinary people of Taraba State and the development of the state.

    The TUC president, who condemned the failure of many of the state governors to pay salaries and pensions, blamed their failure on over-reliance on allocation from the Federation Account and corruption.

    He promised to work assiduously to improve on the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and provide jobs through agriculture and tapping into natural resources.

    Kaigama said there was no reason or justification for any governor not to pay workers’ salaries and ensure a good living for the generality of his people.

    As for Issa Aremu, he said he was motivated to join the governorship race because Kwara State needed a radical change from underdevelopment, mass hunger, and poverty.

    Aremu, who lamented that unlike first generation states such as Kano, Rivers and Lagos, which he said had advanced in roads, health, education, security and public welfare, Kwara, in recent times, is poorly governed through exclusive unaccountable governance.

    He said it was time for Kwarans to organise and enthrone inclusive governance for mass prosperity for all.

    Aremu recalled that, at creation, Kwara was the fastest growing state with bold development plans, which laid solid foundations for accelerated economic growth, increased productivity in agriculture, industrial development and improved the quality of life of the people through the provision of necessary infrastructure.

    Stating that “Kwara must return to development planning,” Aremu lamented that the state ranks 28th on the ranking of states by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), beaten  by newer states like Imo, Edo and Oyo.

    Also, Comrade Ayo Olorunfemi said with the little resources that would be available to him, if elected, he would liaise and partner with investors to open up his constituency by building cottage industries that would process the many raw materials in his area.

    He said his constituency has comparative advantages in many areas, such us agriculture and education, which he would use to create jobs and businesses.

    He pointed out that with an opportunity to be at the House of Representatives, he would intensify and do more on the education of his people to liberate them from poverty and lack.

    The labour leader stated that he was invited by the people, especially the youth in his constituency, because of the little he was providing for the people through the NCE, and he would not want to disappoint them.

    At the national level, Olorunfemi said he would work with like minds to raise the real issue of fundamental problems in the country.

  • ILO to celebrate centenary in 2019

    The International Labour Organisation (ILO) will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year.

    Its Director-General Guy Rider said the anniversary will be an exceptional opportunity for the ILO, which is one of the oldest specialised United Nations (UN) agencies, to look back at its history, and to celebrate some of its many substantial achievements.

    “The anniversary will also be a time to look honestly and critically at the major challenges and changes taking place in the world of work, and how the ILO and its member states can respond to and shape these most effectively.

    “Our Future of Work initiative addresses these challenges. We have set up a global commission on the future of work, which will present its report in January, and we expect that this report will provide the basis for discussion and engagement with our members and partners throughout the year,” Rider said.

    The launch of the report of the global commission on the Future of Work  on January 22 will be one one of the major highlights of the centenary celebration.

    The report was the culmination of a process that began in 2016 with a series of national dialogues in ILO member states on the Future of Work.

    The centenary will also be an opportunity to celebrate the ILO’s achievements and reaffirm its position as the authoritative global organisation for the world of work.

    Throughout the centenary year, multiple commemorative events will take place around the globe to highlight the achievements of the organisation and the role it plays in everyone’s life.

    It will also be an opportunity to reaffirm the ILO’s core values and vision as it prepares for its second century of work.