The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Bobboi Kaigama

  • NLC rejects N27, 000 minimum wage

    The Organised Labour has outrightly rejected the new minimum wage of N27,000 as recommended by the National Council of State.

    Trade Union Congress (TUC ) and United Labour Congress (ULC) In different statements, described the decision as unfortunate and shocking.

    TUC in a statement signed by its President, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama said the decision must not be allowed to stand because it will set wrong precedence for the future, adding that after statutory bodies have done their jobs, Council of State will sit to review it.

    “Let it be known that N30,000 minimum wage is a product of negotiation, not legislation, not advise and not a decree.

    “Minimum wage issue therefore, is moving to a new theatre, the National Assembly. We expect the representative of the people if really they are to do the needful during the public hearing,” Kaigama said.

    According to ULC, the emerging news of the unfortunate decision of the Federal Government through the National Council of State to unilaterally propose N27,000 as the new National Minimum Wage is shocking and goes against the grain of all known traditions and practices of industrial relations especially as it concerns National Minimum Wage setting framework.

    ULC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero said: “ULC rising from its just-concluded Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting today in Lagos rejects in its entirety the proposed N27,000 which is contrary to the N30,000 agreed by the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee and which has since been submitted to the President.

    “We state that the National Council of State in a National Minimum Wage setting mechanism is an aberration. It is also important that we make it clear that the National Council of State does not have powers to approve, confirm, affirm or accept any figure as the new National Minimum Wage. What they have pretended to have done is therefore without any force of Law, standards or other known practices of Industrial Relations the world over”.

    He said that it is a mockery of the essence and principle behind the setting of a National Minimum Wage to attempt to segregate it between Federal Workers and State Workers.

    “We want to state that workers are workers everywhere whether at the federal level or at the state level. They all have the same challenges; go to the same market, same schools and much more they suffer the same fate. You cannot, therefore, pay them differently.

    “Government’s attempt at this dichotomy is an effort at segregation and apartheid in nature. It is an attempt to put a sword within the trade union movement and to further the marginalization of Private sector workers in Nigeria thus seek to weaken the trade union movement in the country.

    Read Also: Minimum wage: Council of State okays N30000 for Fed. workers

    “ULC saw this coming earlier in January and that was why we distanced ourselves. We will however in the next few days in consultation with other labour centres if they are still in the struggle for a just national minimum wage take steps to ensure that the interests of Nigerian workers as it concerns the National Minimum Wage are protected,’ he said.

    The union urge the President to disregard the pronouncement of the National Council of State as it ridicules the statutes and principles governing the nation, saying that the only honourable path he should tread is to transmit the N30,000 figure as agreed by the tripartite committee and even the President on the day of submission of the committee’s report.

    “We will not accept the use of any cover of state to jettison the collective will of Nigerian workers and the trade union movement,” the union said.

  • Minimum wage: ‘We cannot guarantee industrial peace’

    There are indications that unless there is timely intervention from the President, Muhammadu Buhari, Organised Labour may soon call out workers for yet another round of strike following insinuations that the government was yet to agree on a new National minimum wage with Organised Labour.

    The leadership of Organised Labour said they cannot guarantee industrial peace and harmony in the country if the government delayed further the announcement and implementation of the new National minimum wage following the completion of the work of the tripartite committee set up by the President to come up with a new minimum wage for the country.

    President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba had told newsmen that the federal government will announce a new National minimum wage after a meeting of the National Economic Council, but Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige told the Nation after the Federal Executive Council meeting that the committee was yet to arrive at a particular figure.

    Ngige said the government was still negotiating with Organised Labour as the states and federal government as well as Organised Labour and employers were banding different figures which has not been agreed upon.

    Sources close to the committee told The Nation that the Minister of Labour himself headed the subcommittee on figures during the negotiations and came up with certain figures which the committee discussed over two days before arriving at a particular figure which is to be communicated to the President.

    Apart from the figures, the committee has also drafted a bill which is to be sent to the National Assembly to give the new National minimum wage wage a legal backing.

    Read Also: Minimum Wage: No agreement on N30,000, Says FG

    Contacted, President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Comrade Bala Bobboi Kaigama  said organized labour will not disclose its next line of action for now, but waiting for Chairman of the Tripathite Committee to call them to come and sign the final document which will be submitted to the President.

    Kaigama told The Nation on phone that since the committee has concluded it’s work, Nigerians should be patient and await the final document which will made available by the government, pointing out that the statement by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige should not be taken serious by Nigerians.

    He said Organised Labour will meet at the appropriate time to take a decision on the way forward, adding that it was rather too early to begin to talk of any formal action.

    He said “Like you know, the tripartite committee has concluded its assignment. We are waiting for the Chairperson of the committee and former Head of Service of the Federation, Ms. Ama Pepple to invite them to come and sign a clean copy of the final report which will be submitted to the President.”

    In a reaction to the Minister’s claims, Organised Labour had accused the minister of creating unnecessary tension among workers and Nigerians with his statement.

    They said “Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige claiming that no amount has been agreed by the Tripartite Committee recommendation to government. The report further claimed that the Minister said that government was still negotiating with Labour.

    “It is rather unfortunate and sad if indeed, the Honourable Minister made those statements. For the avoidance of doubt, organised labour representatives Wish to state unequivocally that the Tripartite Committee concluded is work, adopted a figure through a formal motion moved, seconded and adopted In the absence of any counter motion.

    “This was after a thorough debate of a report from the subcommittee figure, chaired by Senator Ngige himself which presented four scenarios for consideration.

    “The subcommittee worked on the basis of a figure proposed by the Federal Government, figures proposed by a number of state government, as well as proposals submitted by the Organised Private Sector and Organised Labour.

    “The Committee formally adjourned its sitting with a decision that a date will be communicated to members for the signing of the report and submission of same to Mr President.

    “Organised Labour, therefore frowns at the manipulation and bending of facts in an attempt to delay or derail the processes needed to promulgate a new National Minimum Wage. We call on the government to take immediate necessary steps to ensure the enactment of a new National Minimum Wage

    as we cannot guarantee Industrial peace and harmony.”

  • Governors who can’t pay workers should resign – TUC

    Governors who can’t pay workers should resign – TUC

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria ( TUC ) on Saturday advised state governors who could not address workers’ problems to resign.

    The TUC President, Mr Bobboi Kaigama, said in Lagos that workers could no longer vouch for state governments that non-payment of salaries was as a result of lack of funds.

    He said that the non-payment could be due to corruption.

    Kaigama made the TUC’s views known while addressing journalists after the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

    He said that it was only the Lagos State Government that had been regularly paying workers’ salaries and allowances.

    “All the other states have one issue or the other in terms of salaries or benefits of their workers.

    “ You will discover that it is 13 months’ arrears of gratuities or pensions that have not been paid.

    “In some cases, it is the contributory pension deductions that have not been remitted or promotions arrears and death benefits not been paid,” he said.

    He advocated a return to regional government, saying that state governments were failing in their responsibilities.

    “The trust we have in state government has eroded.

    “If it is for the purposes of payment of salaries and infrastructure development such as provision of health facilities, roads, rail transportation and others, we are better off with regional government,’’ Kaigama said,’’ he said.

    The union leader noted that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved bailout funds and budget support funding to enable states to settle workers’ salaries, to no avail.

    Kaigama said that accountability in Nigeria was weak, and called for the strengthening of anti-graft agencies.

    On national minimum wage, Kaigama said that state governments should be determined to pay the wage when approved.

    He also called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the power sector due to its deteriorating condition.

    ”No nation can develop without power,” he said.

    The labour leader urged the government to arrest and prosecute killers of innocent Nigerians in the guise of herdsmen and militia in different parts of the country.

  • NPC workers’ strike “put on hold” – Union

    NPC workers’ strike “put on hold” – Union

    Striking workers of the National Population Commission ( NPC ) on Tuesday said their protest had been “put on hold’’ pending the response of the Federal Government to their demands.

    The President of the workers union, Mrs Rita Agaba, made this known in Abuja.

    She explained that the strike was put on hold following the intervention of the National Presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ) and Trade Union Congress.

    Agaba said the union members decided to put on hold the strike in respect of the NLC and TUC with offices reopened.

    However, the unionist maintained that they would operate a work-to-rule regime to facilitate dialogue and in anticipation of government positive response.

    Read also: Fire guts National Population Commission’s Lagos office

    The leadership of organised labour on January 29 directed the aggrieved NPC workers to suspend their strike to give room for dialogue.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, President, Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ) with his counterpart, Mr Bobboi Kaigama, President, Trade Union Congress ( TUC ) gave the directive while addressing the NPC staff in Abuja.

    Agaba also disclosed that the scheduled Jan. 30 meeting between leaders of the NPC workers’ union and the Secretary to Government of Federation had been postponed till further notice.

    Reports say that the NPC workers embarked on the strike in the last three weeks to protest the reappointment of their Director-General, Dr Ghaji Bello, by the federal government.

    The workers are also demanding for improved working condition and probe of the finances of the commission.

    NAN

  • Strike notice: ULC is blackmailing FG to get registration – NLC, TUC

    Strike notice: ULC is blackmailing FG to get registration – NLC, TUC

    Organised Labour made up of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Friday accused the yet to be registered United Labour Congress (UCL) led by Joe Ajaero of blackmailing government into setting aside legal requirements to register them, and declare that only registered trade union and federations has the legal right to declare a strike.

    The NLC and the TUC said at a joint news conference in Abuja that the while the United Labour Congress which is yet to be registered has no legitimate right to call for a general strike, only the various unions have the right to call for a strike, adding that at the moment, none of the existing unions who are believed to be affiliates of the ULC have not declared any strike.

    Presidents of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and TUC, Bobboi Kaigama asked workers to disregard the strike called by the ULC saying it violates the Labour of the country, pointing out that the real intention of the promoters of the ULC was to compel government to register them as the Federation of Trade Unions.

    Wabba describe the ULC ultimatum as a mere attention seeking gimmick, adding that they have also resorted to an exercise intent on blackmail with the ultimate goal of using this weapon to obtain registration, we feel constrained to making the following comments on the unfolding situation.

    He said “despite listing twelve (12) demands in their 11th September press statement, we have no doubt that those behind the ultimatum were only hoping to blackmail the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to register their association as a central labour organisation, as they stated in their demand numbers 9-12..

    “We have no doubt the officials of the Federal Ministry of Labour would deal with the situation as the laws of the country governing labour relations are very clear on the procedure guiding registrations of Trade Unions and trade union centres.

    “Against the background of persistent mischief and dragging the names of our two centres to the mud by the promoters of the United Labour Congress, it has become pertinent to once again recall the events leading to their current desperation.”

    He said the promoters of the ULC have just collected forms for the registration of dozens of “shell trade unions or trade unions without membership”, adding that rather than wait to get registration, they just proclaimed their existence, perhaps because they know very well that by the extant laws-the Trade Union Act, and the Trade Union Amendment Act, there was no way they could get recognition and registration for the dozen or so “Shell Unions”.

    “These mushroom Unions were carried out of existing industrial unions. However, the Trade Unions Act CAP T14, LFN, 2004, Section 3 (2) provided that: “But no trade union shall be registered to represent workers or employers in a place, where there already exists a trade union”.

    “These fake Unions had not being registered, and would not be registered since all the areas have effective Union coverage presently that are affiliates of the NLC and TUC.

    “We had pointed out in our January 18th, 2017 letter to the Honourable Minister of the dangers posed by the activities of these erstwhile colleagues of ours, who rather than accept the decision of Nigerian workers to reject their leadership, are bent on creating anarchy in the industrial relations system in the country, by trying to register these mushroom and member-less Unions.

    “In the same letter, we had drawn attention to the fact that under the 2005 amendment to the section 34 of the Principal Act, it was clearly stated that a (new) federation of trade union(s) may be registered if (a) I (b): “it is made up of 12 or more trade unions, none of which shall have been a member of another registered federation of trade unions”.

    “The main promoters of the so-called new federation are individuals from NUEE and NUPENG both are affiliates of the NLC. By the extant law as passed just some years ago, they cannot form another federation.”

    On his part, TUC President, Kaigama said the Labour laws of the federation is very clear that un-registered trade unions and federation(s) are prohibited from functioning. Under this section, a federation of trade unions shall not come into existence until it is registered.

    He said “Our erstwhile colleagues are therefore trying to take advantage of the unstable security and industrial relation situation in the country to increase the tension and give bad name to trade unionism. 

    “Nigerians need to know that they are not a legitimate organisation recognised by the laws of our country. They are largely a collection of individuals who find it difficult to accept the will of Nigerian workers, as very clearly demonstrated during the March 12-13 2015 election that took place at the Eagle Square, Abuja in which they were roundly defeated.

    “We wish to state without equivocation that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has acted within the confines of the law by not registering ULC and the phantom Unions they put forward.. No unregistered organisations or individuals can hold our dear country to ransom.

    “We urge the Federal Ministry of Labour and workers to discountenance the threats of this illegal association. The ministry must be steadfast in upholding the laws governing trade union practice in the country.”

  • FG to commence payment of salary, promotion arrears of workers

    FG to commence payment of salary, promotion arrears of workers

    The Federal government is to commence the payment of salary arrears, promotion arrears and other entitlement of civil servants in the country on or before Wednesday, September 20, 2017 as a way of averting further strike by civil servants in the country.

    This was part of the four point agreement reached between the government and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria to avert the proposed strike action by the union.

    However, while the government says that union has agreed to temporarily suspend the strike till Wednesday, President of the union, Bobboi Kaigama said the union was only being proactive, pointing out that if they fail to commence payment on Wednesday, the strike action will begin.

    A communique signed at the end of the meeting by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour, Bolaji Adebiyi and National President of the Association, Bobboi Kaigama said a seven man committee is to be set up to monitor the implementation of the agreement.

    The communique reads: “Following the seven day ultimatum dated 8th September, 2017 issued by the Association of Senior Civil Servant of Nigeria on the issue of non-payment of salary arrears and other entitlements of public servants especially promotion arrears failing which the Association, propose to embark on an industrial action effective from Monday, 18th September, 2017, the Minister of Labour and Employment convened a conciliatory meeting on tuesday 12th September 2017.

    “Present at this meeting were all the 40 Chapter Chairmen of ASCSN branches and their Secretariat led by the President of ASCSN/TUC-Bobboi Bala Kaigama after an extensive deliberation on the issue of Public Servants unpaid promotion arrears and other entitlements.

    “At the end of the meeting, it was greed that Government will do all that is needed to ensure the commencement of payment of promotion arrears on or before Wednesday 20th September, 2017.

    “It was also agreed that the 30 Ministries, Department & Agencies (MDAs) that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) reported that have been cleared whose payment bill amounts to 1.165billion naira should start to receive credit of payment by Wednesday 20th September, 2017.

    “The OAGF should provide the list of the 30 MDAs that have been cleared to the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment and the Association by Wednesday, 13th September, 2017.

    “A seven man Committee to be chaired by the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment composed of 3 members from the Association and 3 from Government side to midwife, fine tune and monitor the implementation of these decisions.”

    Addressing the union before the commencement of the meeting, Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige restated the unflinching commitment of the Buhari administration to the welfare of workers.

    He said: “the arrears in question accumulated for up to a decade but the President very much concerned about the welfare of the citizens resolved to settle the backlog, knowing that government is also a continuum. This is a government that has the interest of workers at heart, the very reason we stoically refused to retrench any civil servant despite dwindling resources we met and worsened by the recession”.

  • TUC lauds FG on 10% housing equity waiver

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has commended the Federal Government on waiver of the initial payment of 10 per cent housing equity on mortgages below N5 million from housing offtakers.

    Mr. Bobboi Kaigama, TUC President gave the commendation on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    The Federal Government had recently approved that henceforth mortgages below N5million (five million naira) will not attract the initial payment of 10 per cent equity from offtakers.

    According to him, this is to demonstrate its commitment to the provision of affordable housing to Nigerians, especially the low income earners.

    Bobboi noted that the waiver was a welcome development, especially in this period of economic recession being experienced in the country.

    “The government is using the same fund contributed by workers to build houses for them, if it can as well give out houses at much lower rate it will be nice development because it is workers’ contribution.

    “The Federal Government has no contribution in the fund and the worker’s representatives do not have a say on how the funds are being managed,” he said.

    Commending the effort of the government, he said that it needed to do more in the course of delivering houses to Nigerians.

    The TUC president said that the number of houses that have been delivered to workers since the constitution of the National Housing Fund (NHF) programme was not impressive compared to the percentage of workers contributing to the fund.

    He, however, called for an urgent review of the NHF law, adding that the representatives of Nigerian workers should also be allowed to be on the board of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).

    According to him, being board members will make the representatives to be able to contribute and moderate the cost of housing units compared to the contributors’ salaries.

     

  • NLC, TUC protest rising cost of living

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Thursday staged a protest at the National Assembly complex, Abuja over the rising cost of living in Nigeria.

    The NLC Chairman, Mr Ayuba Wabba, said that the groups were protesting the delay in the upward review of minimum wage amidst increasing cost of items in the country.

    “We are here to demand for good governance and express our support in the fight against corruption.

    “More importantly, we demand for respect for rule of law, greater accountability and transparency in governance,’’ Wabba said.

    He expressed worry that Nigerian workers had been the major victims of the fall-out of corruption and bad governance.

    “Today the dollar rate is one Naira to 500 dollars and the salaries of Nigerian workers have remained the same.

    “Therefore, we are here to urge the National Assembly to play an important role to ensure that life is made better for Nigerians.

    “We cannot succeed if the fight against corruption does not succeed.

    “We appreciate the efforts by the National Assembly to ensure financial autonomy for the local governments and this must be sustained because money meant for the local governments does not get there.’’

    The NLC chairman further expressed concern that in spite of the bailout funds to states for workers’ salaries, “the living condition of workers have not been improved because many are not paid’’.

    He explained that pensioners in the country were owed up to 77 months and called on the National Assembly to synergise with other arms of government to pay them.

    Contributing, the TUC President, Bobboi Kaigama said that the inflation rate in the country was growing astronomically.

    Kaigama said that it was time for governments at all tiers to go back to the drawing board to revive the country’s economy.

    “Whatever it takes, we must review the structure of our economy.

    “If we must kill corruption, the laws have to come from the National Assembly.

    “Nigerians are hungry, the cost of living is high, no houses, no light and factories have gone comatose,’’ Kaigama said.

    Responding, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said it was time to go into action towards addressing the numerous challenges confronting Nigerians.

    According to him, we need to sit down and work out how to make necessary adjustments.
    “It can’t continue this way, the exchange rate is high, cost of things in the market have gone high but only the workers’ salaries remain the same.

    “By the next time we will meet, I will tell you what the National Assembly has done to improve the living condition of Nigerians,’’ Saraki said.

  • TUC sets up economic development fund

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Thursday said it has set up one billion dollar economic development fund for the actualization of its economic development plan.

    The president of TUC, Mr. Bobboi Kaigama, stated this at its 10th Triennial National Delegates Conference in Abuja on Thursday.

    Kaigama said the fund would provide additional income streams for its members and affiliates and also provide loans for those still in service and after service.

    “This fund will be used to make strategic investments into the different sectors of the economy.

    “Part of this fund will be set aside to provide loans and the required technical assistance for our members to set up and run bankable businesses when they retire from service.

    “Through this plan, the TUC will mobilise resources from its members, affiliates, partners and other investors to invest in a number critical assets across different sectors of the economy.

    “By so doing, TUC and its members can take advantage of the existing investment opportunities in lucrative areas of financial services, power, housing, agriculture, oil and gas and infrastructure, among others,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the TUC chief as saying at the conference.

     

  • Senators have lost touch with reality – TUC

    Senators have lost touch with reality – TUC

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Tuesday said that the purchase of 108 Toyota Land Cruiser jeeps by Senators was a clear sign that they do not mean well for the country and have lost touch with the plight of the people.

    TUC in a statement signed by its President, Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Ag. Secretary General, Simeso Amachree, described as insensitive the decision of the senators to acquire the Land Cruiser jeeps after collecting car loans less than one year ago.

    The Congress said the act was that of criminality, especially after collecting loans for the same purpose and expressed concern that the senators are not disturbed by President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts to revamp the economy.

    The statement said: “Where did such idea emanate from at a time the country is bleeding from all sides and seriously gasping for breath? This is obviously a pointer to the fact that our Senators mean no well for the country. They have lost touch with the plight of the people that voted for them.

    “Our politicians and their tradition of reaping where they did not sow. What would our Senators say they have achieved in the last one year? It is morally wrong and shameful for the Senate of the Federal Republic to attach so much importance to infinitesimal things like cars and houses at a time their counterparts elsewhere are making good laws and transforming lives.

    “We do not know of any lawmaker both in the Red and Green Chamber that had not got cars before they came to the National Assembly. Some have even been in the senate now for 12 years after serving as governors and lawmakers in their respective states.

    “Where lies the conscience of our Senators? How come they are not disturbed by the efforts of our president to revamp the economy? We are not going to let all these forces frustrate the effort of the Federal Government again, not any more.

    “We want the Senate to immediately furnish Nigerians and the world how they got money for the purchase of these cars without appropriation. We view as demeaning and laughable the explanation by Senate spokesperson, Aliyu Sabi.”