The Nation Newspaper

Category: Labour

  • SMEDAN signs pact on job creation

    The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with five clusters  for the pilot of its One Local Government One Product (OLOP) initiative.

    At the signing, its Director-General, Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda, said pilot studies, conducted with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) support in Kano and Niger states, revealed that the initiative has the potential to turn around the economy, especially in  job creation, agribusiness, and to reduce rural-urban migration.

    He noted that the OLOP initiative is dear to SMEDAN, adding that the success of the pilot run will determine the future of the programme.

    He told the beneficiaries that their performance was key in determining the level of support the Federal Government would continue to give to OLOP.

    Radda  said: “It is also with a sense of fulfillment that I am letting you know that SMEDAN has been working assiduously on your behalf to realise the objectives of the Projects.”

    He said some of the pre-and post- expectations and deliverables of the programme included sensitisation and needs assessment, entrepreneurship development, plant layout and joint identification of equipment and the provision of the type of equipment needed for their development, which was already mutually agreed between the clusters and SMEDAN.

    Radda stressed that the agency has provided working capital to enable them run their businesses as well as provide mitigation of the interest rate and 30 per cent of the total loan portfolio.

    He added that the banks would grant them three months’ moratorium to enable them stabilise before they start the repayment of the interest free loan, while the agency expect repayment within 18 months.

    He solicited the cooperation of the beneficiaries in interest-free loan repayment.

    “This is, particularly, important as your performance will either encourage or discourage further participations by the banks. I am positive that you will all be role models,” he said.

    Radda assured the beneficiaries that SMEDAN would continue to support all entrepreneurs by providing the required information and training to them.

    He urged them to take advantage of the opportunities being presented by this programme, saying the multiplier effect of this initiative on the economy could not be overestimated in view of the recession in the economy and the drive of the Federal Government to enhance the competitiveness of the non-oil sector.

  • Be good ambassadors, public servants told

    The Acting Director-General, Public Service Staff Development Centre, Lagos,  Mr. Olufunmi Ajose-Harrison has urged participants at its training programmes to be with greater commitment.

    He gave the charge at the closing ceremony for participants of the three months specialised Information Communications Technology (ICT) training for Secretarial Assistants in the Public Service.

    The course which the Centre started in 2009 is being run in collaboration with Yaba College of Technology as moderator. The school also issue certificates to successful participants.

    Ajose-Harrison said the participants should consider themselves lucky to undergo the training as they would gain tremendously both officially and privately.

    He said the Centre would conduct an impact assessment on all participants in their various offices, six months after the course, to monitor and evaluate their performances regarding the impacted knowledge.

    He pledged that requests contained in their communique would be forwarded to the appropriate authority for consideration.

    The course which had participants drawn from different Ministries, Departments and Agencies had stagnated Assistant Secretarial officers on grade level 9, who would move a grade higher at the completion of the course.

    In their communiqué, the participants said the course has updated their knowledge on information technology and improved their skills in the area of office management and administration.

    The participants also acknowledged the contributions of the coordinators and facilitators while describing the sessions as lively and interactive. “The facilitators ensured full participation of all participants by engaging them in class discussions, interactive group work, tutorial and continuous assessment.” they said.

    It had 18 participants drawn from various Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) who went through courses ranging from Computer Fundamentals, Desktop Publishing, Web Technology, Management Information, Use of English, Secretarial and Office Management, Business Mathematics, Business Communication and Microsoft Word.

  • ‘Compliance with ECS major requirement for govt contracts’

    Evidence of compliance with the Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS) will now form part of requirements for bidding for the Federal Government contracts, the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has said.

    Its Managing Director, Adebayo Somefun, who made this known during a visit to the Lagos regional office of the organisation, said efforts were being made to ensure that the compliance certificate from the fund became a major requirement in government offices a across the country.

    While decrying the non-chalant attitude of employers to comply with the provision of the law establishing the Employee Compensation Scheme, he said the “Management of NSITF is working on making the NSITF Compliance Certificate compulsory for all employers who were interested in bidding for government contracts.

    “The management is working with major stakeholders to ensure that NSITF Compliance Certificate becomes a major requirement at important government offices. This would go a long way in ensuring strict compliance and thereby lessen the burden on enforcement teams.”

    According to him, most employers were taking the implementation of ECS with latitude compared to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) due to lack of prosecution or closure of business premises.

    The NSITF does not have the power to seal up company premises, it had power to do other things that could enforce compliance and instructed the regional office to bring him up to speed the challenges inhibiting high compliance rate.

  • High unemployment rate is disturbing, says NECA

    High unemployment rate is disturbing, says NECA

    The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has said the latest data by the National Bureau of Statistics(NBS), which revealed that 12 million Nigerians are unemployed, is worrisome, adding that the problem goes beyond being an economic issue.

    At the Annual General Meeting and the 60th anniversary of NECA, its President, Mr Larry Ettah, said the high rate of unemployment has become a social and security issue, which could undermine the stability of the country.

    He said: “Given the scope of this problem, we certainly have to go outside the usual government rhetoric on what we want to do or what we are doing and the unproductive administrative backed up with results.

    “The government must ensure that we embrace a political structure and culture that will enthrone multiple centres of our GDP. We also commend good governance, massive infrastructural development, employment –focused/centred policies and constructive cross sectorial local content development policy and programmes a s helpful agenda that would naturally provide needed millions of jobs in the course of execution.”

    Ettah said the fixed exchange rate dispensation with its attendant multiple rate does not augur well for right pricing and effective means of resources.

    “Though it seems lately to have provided some reprieve for the value of the local currency, it is very doubtful if this is sustainable in the long term,” he said.

    He said evidence from other economies are clear and compelling to the effect that floating exchange rate systems enable economies respond best to declines in the value of the their export and provide a natural adjustment mechanism to preserve forex reserves and change incentives and behavior of economic actors.

    “ This is the reason we are convinced that the way to go is to allow market forces to determine the value of the naira; and consequently abolishing the multiple rates,” he said.

    Ettah said this dispensation of high interest rate was negative to the growth and development.

    He said the association’s concern is not so much the justification for the high cost of fund, but the need for managers of the economy to appreciate that high interest rate is antithetical to growth and therefore the need for concerted and co-ordinated efforts by the government backed by sound fiscal and monetary policies to bring it down to single digit.

    He said beyond this, the government has crowded out the private sector in terms of access to credit , as it seeks to cover budgetary deficit, adding that the current has engendered a rent seeking economy that has encouraged entrepreneurship and wealth creation, with grave implication for jobs creation.

    Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, who spoke on the  theme ”The Economic Recovery and Growth Plan’’, said the ERGP is the blueprint the administration intends to use to fix the broken economy.

    He said the  successful implementation of the ERGP will revitalise the economy and put it back on the path of sustained, inclusive, and diversified growth and development.

    He said the ERGP, which is a product of an extensive consultative process with all stakeholders across the country, builds on the Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) and sets out government policy direction for the economy over the medium term.

    According to him, the plan is intended, not just to get us out of recession, but to put us on a strong, diversified, inclusive, and sustained growth path.

    “In developing the ERGP we held consultations with the State Governors and Commissioners of Planning and Economic Development of the States.

    ‘’We also held consultations with the leadership and membership of the National Assembly. Amongst others we consulted were our development partners, such as the UNDP, the World Bank and the IMF. We also consulted leading Nigerian economists and development experts. And, most importantly, we consulted the private sector, as this is a plan that requires extensive collaboration with the private sector for its effective implementation,” Udoma added.

  • Firms are not paying workers’ gratuities, ASSBIFI alleges

    Firms are not paying workers’ gratuities, ASSBIFI alleges

    Many organisations are not paying workers gratuities, the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) has alleged.

    In an interview, its President, Comrade Oyinkan Olasanoye, said: “We realised that the way management of organisations are going these days, they find a way of not paying our members at the end of their service. What belongs to workers which is the gratuity, majority of organisations are no longer paying it.

    “So, we realised that when our members are asked to go, nothing is always attached. Because of that we  realised that majority of our members would start thinking of tomorrow and delving into some untoward things. To prevent that, in order to have a succour somewhere, that is what informed the  proposal on loss of job insurance for members.”

    She continued: “We keep on advising our members on the need to allow the union to be more active in decisions and to be properly briefed on the matter. Under no reason should the management lay off somebody anyhow.”

    On the sack of workers in financial institutions, she said the law was clear on it.

    Olasanoye said under the law, when  an organisation wished to lay somebody off, the union in that worker’s  sector should be called for negotiation.

    She said: “The law didn’t say you can’t lay people off, but there  are ways of doing it. We have been  appealing to  our members that they should not wait until they are laid off.

    “The moment they heard the rumour that they were about to be laid off, they should write their management to that effect and let   briefed us on who to discuss with.

    “We will keep on appealing to our members and management of their companies and employers that the recession and the economic meltdown is one that everyone needs all hands on deck.

    ‘’We also want to appeal to them that they should let us work together because our sector is a very sensitive and with the meltdown, we can’t afford to have issues that will affect the public trust on the sector that is already corroded by various acts and policies that are not acceptable to the people. We will appeal to the management to let us discuss and go through due process,” she said.

  • Pensioners condemn agitations for breakup

    The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has asked those agitating for the country’s break up to stop and join hands with the government to promote unity.

    The union appealed to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo for the payment of the outstanding 18 months of 33  per cent pension arrears, following the signing of the budget.

    In a statement by its General Secretary, Elder Actor Zal, the union praised the Federal Government for this month’s prompt payment of pensions to pensioners.

    The statement said: “We appreciate the Federal Government for listening to the voice of the Union by acting fast to ensure that our people have a very happy sallah celebration.

    “The Union wishes to appreciate the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), especially the Executive Secretary, Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor, for her effort at ensuring that this payment scaled through.  The prayer of all pensioners will abide with her.

    “The Union thanked Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, the Registrar of Trade Unions and all government agencies involved in the monthly payments of pension.

    “The NUP joins her voice to call for the unity of Nigeria and condemns all those who are encouraging hate speeches to desist and let us build together a virile country.

    “Finally, the Union requests the Acting President to use his good offices to ensure payment of outstanding 18 months of 33 per cent pension arrears and other pension arrears now that the budget has been signed into law.”

  • Megacity: Unionists urge Lagos to accommodate slum dwellers

    Trade unionists, activist, diplomats, academics and other stakeholders, have called on Lagos State Government to find alternative accommodation and means of livelihood to victims of demolished  slums, shanties, road side stores. Many residents, whose houses were demolished got dislocated in the state’s drive towards mega city project.

    At a debate organised by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in commemoration of its 40th Anniversary in Nigeria, which  focused on “The poor must live – Demolitions of markets and workplaces in Lagos”, some of the panelists submited that people’s welfare should always be paramount in all programmes and policy formulations to check the high rate of unemployment, crime and restiveness.

    The debate also focused on how to ensure that in turning the Lagos to a megacity, the informal sector is not harmed, but given a level of protection.

    A legal practitioner, Adeola Samuel-Ilori advocated that the informal sector should be aware and exercise their rights so as not to be taken for granted by the government.

    “The problem is that many people dont know their rights and the politicians take advantage of their ignorance to subject them to all sorts of maltreatments,”he said.

    German’s Consular-General in Nigeria, Ingo Herber, who was the special guest of honour at the event, hinted that the consulate and the Lagos State will be partnering towards improving people’s welfare in the informal sector.

    Resident eepresentative, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Ulrich Thum, advised those in attendance to always use their power as tax payers to demand for their rights from the state.

  • NSITF threatens to sue employers for breaking its law

    The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) may henceforth sue employers which refused to register with it in line with the law, its Managing Director /Chief Executive   Adebayo Somefun, has warned.

    He said in Abuja that for too long, many employers had defaulted in registering with NSITF.

    The penalty  for defaulters, he said, was too light, adding that  the NSITF would seek an amendment to its Act and the Employees Compensation Act (ECA) in order to enforce compliance.

    “Dialogue is very important, we will try to persuade them and also use the apparatus of  the government and the law. We must mandate them because it is mandatory.

    “Where persuasion has failed, I believe we can try to mandate them. We have written circulars but we still have some recalcitrant employers.

    “We will still try and persuade them and enforce where necessary, unfortunately, the penalty is so small.

    “So, I believe that this Act also has to be amended to give stiffer penalties,”Somefun said.

    He said he was discussing with his management on how  to pursue the Act’s amendment to ensure stiffer penalties.

    Somefun said part of his plans for NSITF the fund was to make Nigerians aware of its core functions.

    The statutory responsibility of the NSITF, he said, was to compensate employees who suffer from occupational diseases and sustain injury or disability from accidents in work place.

    “NSITF provides compensation to the dependants of an employee who dies in their workplace.

    “NSITF helps the employer to save for the rainy day,” he said.

    He described ECA as a no-fault scheme since it is a social fund which intends to ensure speedy compensation of employees.

    Any injured employee could be trained or rehabilitated under the NSITF in any vocation suitable for his condition.

    He said the fund had made it a duty to complete any request for compensation within two weeks, adding that he would work to bring the processing time down to days.

    “Compensation has started, that is why you have not seen people carrying placards saying that they have not been paid.

    “There is no request for compensation that has been brought to us here that has not been treated speedily,” Somefun said.

  • ITF, NECA train 3,000 youths in technical skills

    Three thousand youths are being trained under the Technical Skills Development Project (TSDP) of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), ITF Director-General Joseph Ari has said.

    The training is holding in 18 industrial centres nationwide.

    Ari said the TSDP was one of the initiatives by both organisations create jobs.

    “Its primary objective is to reduce unemployment, promote sustainable wealth creation and give the youths entrepreneurial and attitudinal proficiency through technical skills acquisition,” Ari stated.

    He said the participants would be trained in 18 trades and crafts, including electrical/electronic maintenance, mechanical machinery and maintenance.

    According to him, they would also be trained in welding, fabrication, plumbing/pipe fittings maintenance, beverage bottle operation and information and communications technology.

    Ari listed others as building construction, carpentry and joinery, agriculture and agro-allied, animal husbandry, aqua culture, breeding and hatchery, livestock and aqua culture feeds, as well as fashion designing.

    ITF and NECA, he said, expected the participating organisations to equip the trainees with competitive skills to enable them get jobs after the programme.

  • NSITF threatens to sue employers for breaking its law

    The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) may henceforth sue employers which refused to register with it in line with the law, its Managing Director /Chief Executive   Adebayo Somefun, has warned.

    He said in Abuja that for too long, many employers had defaulted in registering with NSITF.

    The penalty  for defaulters, he said, was too light, adding that  the NSITF would seek an amendment to its Act and the Employees Compensation Act (ECA) in order to enforce compliance.

    “Dialogue is very important, we will try to persuade them and also use the apparatus of  the government and the law. We must mandate them because it is mandatory.

    “Where persuasion has failed, I believe we can try to mandate them. We have written circulars but we still have some recalcitrant employers.

    “We will still try and persuade them and enforce where necessary, unfortunately, the penalty is so small.

    “So, I believe that this Act also has to be amended to give stiffer penalties,”Somefun said.

    He said he was discussing with his management on how  to pursue the Act’s amendment to ensure stiffer penalties.

    Somefun said part of his plans for NSITF the fund was to make Nigerians aware of its core functions.

    The statutory responsibility of the NSITF, he said, was to compensate employees who suffer from occupational diseases and sustain injury or disability from accidents in work place.

    “NSITF provides compensation to the dependants of an employee who dies in their workplace.

    “NSITF helps the employer to save for the rainy day,” he said.

    He described ECA as a no-fault scheme since it is a social fund which intends to ensure speedy compensation of employees.

    Any injured employee could be trained or rehabilitated under the NSITF in any vocation suitable for his condition.

    He said the fund had made it a duty to complete any request for compensation within two weeks, adding that he would work to bring the processing time down to days.

    “Compensation has started, that is why you have not seen people carrying placards saying that they have not been paid.

    “There is no request for compensation that has been brought to us here that has not been treated speedily,” Somefun said.