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Tag: Comrade Issa Aremu

  • Labour advises executive/legislature to embrace peace

    Members of the Executive and the Legislature must embrace statesmanship in place of brinkmanship as a pre-condition for sustainable democracy in Nigeria, National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers (NUTGWN) General Secretary, Comrade Issa Aremu, has said.

    Speaking at the unveiling of the 40th Anniversary Logo of the Union, Aremu said the conflicts between the legislature and the executive would undermine good governance and democracy.

    Comrade Aremu, who is a governorship aspirant in Kwara State, said Nigeria’s uninterrupted democracy in the last 20 years needed quality people who would stand for principles of good governance as contained in the 1999 Constitution in place of what he called politicians’ desperation for power and money.

    Referring to the drama at the National Assembly  last week when  lawmakers were prevented from entering  the premises, Comrade Aremu said the survival of the smartest politicians must give way to the survival of democracy in Nigeria.

    He said the forces that fought for democracy must not allow the  process to be undermined by selfishness and cheap carpet crossing.

    The labour leader said it was time Nigeria implemented the resolutions of 2014 conference with reference to code of conduct for political parties, political party office holders on carpet crossing.

    He said Section 68 (8) of the constitution (as amended) should be further amended to indicate that any elected official, executive or legislative, who carpet-cross, regardless of the reasons for such, shall automatically forfeit their seat.

    Such officials, according to him, are, however, free to contest for the position or indeed any other position on the basis of their new political party.

    Earlier, NUTGWN President, Comrade John Adaji, disclosed that the 40th anniversary of the union would hold from October 16 to 18.

  • Executive, Legislature feud undermining democracy – Aremu

    Labour Leader and governorship aspirant of the Labour Party in Kwara State, Comrade Issa Aremu has said that conflicts between the National Assembly and the Executive arm of government is capable of undermining good governance and democracy in the country.

    Aremu said rather than engage in brinkmanship; both the legislators and the executives must embrace statesmanship as a precondition for sustainable democratic process in Nigeria.

    Read Also:Senate invasion, injury to Nigeria’s democracy – Aremu

    Aremu who is a member of the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress said Nigeria’s uninterrupted democracy in the last 20 years needed quality people who would stand for fundamental state principles of good governance as contained in 1999 constitution in place of what he called “politicians desperate for immediate pursuit of power and money”.

    Reacting to recent drama at the National Assembly, Comrade Aremu said the survival of the “smartest politicians” must give way to the survival of democratic process in Nigeria.

    He said democratic forces who fought for democracy must not allow the democratic process undermined by “selfishness and cheap carpet crossing”, adding that it was time Nigeria implemented the resolutions of 2014 conference with reference to code of conduct for political parties, political party office holders on carpet crossing.

    He said section 68 (8) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended), should be further amended to “indicate that any elected official, executive or legislative, who carpet-cross, regardless of the reasons for such, shall automatically forfeit their seat. Such officials are however, free to contest for the position or indeed any other position on the basis of their new political party.

    Meanwhile, former governor of Kaduna state, Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa has endorsed Comrade Issa Aremu for the post of governorship of Kwara state citing his commitment to struggle for social justice and development in Nigeria. Speaking when Aremu visited him, Musa said “I support Comrade Aremu 99 per cent. I would have supported him 100 per cent if he runs on PRP. But Labour Party he chooses is part of progressive families committed to socialist transformation of Nigeria”.

    Comrade Aremu disclosed that he was inspired by the progressive record of Alhaji Balarabe as the first executive governor of Kaduna state adding that “am an ideological and political son of Alhaji Balarabe Musa right from my university days”.

    Earlier the President of NUTWN, Comrade John Adaji had disclosed that the 40th anniversary of the Union would hold from Tuesday 16th to Thursday 18th October 2018. Activities include Anniversary Rallies, Lectures, Exhibitions, fashion parade and gala nite/Anniversary Awards in major textile cities of Kano, Kaduna and Lagos. National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers (NUTGWN) is one of the registered twenty-nine industrial unions, which came into existence after the amalgamation of scores of house unions in 1978.

  • Senate invasion, injury to Nigeria’s democracy – Aremu

    A NEC Member of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Issa Aremu has condemned the invasion of the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly and disruption of the Senate plenary by unknown persons on Wednesday.

    Comrade Aremu said “an injury to the National Assembly is an injury to the nation’s democracy” adding that the “Federal government probe of the invasion should be prompt and conclusive with the objective of prevention of future acts”.

    The labour leader said the unfortunate senate event was a rude awakening to all for good governance with respect to security of lives and property as contained in 1999 constitution.

    Comrade Aremu said what the Senate just witnessed had been “the routine lots of many defenseless Nigerians” who are daily physically assaulted by criminals in homes, on the roads and in their communities.

    He said while nothing could justify thuggery at the Senate, the leadership of the National Assembly must also stop criminalizing dissenting views of democratically elected members.

    “The serial suspension of any members of the hallowed Chambers who hold contrary views amounts to legislative dictatorship which is also unacceptable in a democracy” he observed.

    Democracy is about cooperation as much as contestation and the National Assembly is the true symbol of both, he said.

    He however said that, the mass condemnation of the senate invasion was an indication that,  “there is a national consensus that democracy despite some of its shortcomings remains the best form of good governance and development for Nigeria.”

    Read Also: Invasion: Senate summons IGP, DSS DG

  • Stop giving money to non performing Discos – Aremu

    Stop giving money to non performing Discos – Aremu

    President of IndustriALL Global Union Africa, Comrade Issa Aremu said on Monday that the Nigerian government must stop giving money to non-performing privatized electricity distribution companies in the country, saying the drive for industrialization of the African continent will amount to nothing without electricity.

    Aremu who spoke at 2017 Africa Industrialisation Day in Abuja said African government must do everything possible to massively invest in energy such as hydro, solar and nuclear to drive Industrialization.

    Aremu said that it was commendable that many African countries have put in place robust documents and policies on industrialization and diversification, but regretted that capacity utilization is still very low with few existing industries closing down with mass job losses. 

    He said it was time for major industrial players in South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Sudan to walked/worked the policies and add value to the continent abundant raw materials. 

    He commended the Nigerian government t for launching the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. Together with the existing National Industrial Revolution Plan, the Plan can promote the revival of industries and creation of mass decent jobs. 

    Aremu said further that there are quite a number of commendable initiatives by African governments in promoting wealth generation and reviving the industry, such as Buy-Africa campaign in South Africa and Buy Made-in-Nigeria campaign. 

    He said as part of such initiatives, Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has assigned three unprecedented Executive Orders mandating Government agencies to spend more of their budgets on locally produced goods and services. These orders would help in the recovery of many factories in Nigeria

    He commended the Edo states government for establishing industrial parks as part of the industrialization drive as well as the Sokoto and Cross River States for initiating the setting up of garment factories.  

    The global body resolved to develop a Sustainable Industrial Policy on Digitalization and Industry 4.0 and to campaign against any transformation that does not further much needed social justice and include a Just Transition for affected workers. 

    He, however, stated that Sustainable industrial policy must be based on an assessment of how to steer towards a destination we desire as a society, rather than a destination that is favourable to only a few, while asking for a future of work that embraces the positive impacts that Industry 4.0 may bring for all of the society while making sure that workers aren’t left to pay the social debts of companies, with governments unwilling to make this transition socially responsible. 

    He demanded that the benefits of digitalization and advanced technologies should be to all; employers and governments, and workers, and to society at large. We must make technology work for us and not simply allow Industry 4.0 to define a new wave of intensified work and more precarious work.

    Aremu insisted that whatever forms of Industrialization, 1st or fourth industrial revolution there must be decent sustainable jobs for the workers with job security, living wages and living pensions. Businesses and owners of capital are employing robots, Machines and computers to replace workers in order to maximize profits and lower wages or even deny pay altogether. Yes, technology makes work easier, but they also could lead to job losses.

  • Labour threatens nationwide strike over minimum wage review

    Labour threatens nationwide strike over minimum wage review

    The organised labour has threatened a nationwide strike if the government fails to begin process of reviewing the workers minimum wage, saying that Nigerian workers are hungry and legitimately angry.

    The National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), an affiliate member of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), issued the threat in Kaduna on Thursday.

    Addressing newsmen alongside NUTGTWN National President, Comrade John Adaji, General Secretary of the union and Vice President, Industrial Global Union, Comrade Issa Aremu called on the Federal Government to urgently constitute a committee on the review of the current national minimum wage.

    The labour union equally called on NLC and TUC to make urgent case for workers’ control of the country’s pension industry, saying pension fund is workers’ capital and should not be a play-ground to reward failed politicians.

    According to Aremu, “As demonstrated by workers during the May Day in Abuja, Nigeria risks national industrial crisis except governments at all levels give due attention to the critical issue of compensation of workers. Hungry workers are legitimately angry workers. Nigerian workers are not only hungry but legitimately angry.

    “We commend both the Senate and the House of Representatives for their respective facilitating roles to address the current issue of national minimum wage.  However, the responsibility lies squarely with President Muhammadu Buhari ably being represented by Vice President Osinbajo.

    “National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2011 which offers the current N18,000 was for a 5-year cycle due for review in 2015. The five-year time limit was to avoid minimum wage stagnation and attendant seemingly increases that follow. In UK minimum wage is reviewed yearly. Today it is £7.5 per hour, about N37,000 per day!

    “Long before the current recession, Nigeria workers have long been in depression. With Naira devaluation and high inflation, 2010 negotiated national minimum wage of N18,000 which was about $120 in 2010 has fallen to below $50 in 2017 worsening income poverty. Nigeria cannot get out of recession with poorly paid work-force”, the labour leader said .

    He however opined that, “the best way to reinflate the economy is through wage increase linked with productivity improvement and prompt payment of the existing salaries by states and local governments.

    “President Buhari should therefore urgently constitute the tripartite committee on the review of the current national minimum wage within a short time-limit”, he urged.

    On the pension matter, the textile union leader said, NUTGTWN as an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and a critical stakeholder in the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) was concerned with recent developments in the pension industry, adding that, Nigeria’s pension industry risks avoidable crisis following the recent abrupt termination of the appointment of Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, former Director General of PenCom and appointment of Dikko Aliyu Abdulrahman as new Director General by President Muhammadu Buhari subject to confirmation by the Senate.

    According to him, “labour observes that the termination of a tenured appointment flouts the provision of the Pension Reform Act 2014. President Buhari is an acknowledged respecter of due process as witnessed by the way he has managed to transmit delegation to Acting President Osinbajo as required by 1999 Constitution. The health of pension assets is no less important than the health of the President. The Presidency should therefore NOT casualise appointments of DG of critical pension institution like PENCOM.

    “With this new development both the NLC and TUC must make urgent case for workers’ control of the country’s pension industry.  Indeed pension fund is workers’ capital and should not be a play-ground to reward failed politicians. What is at stake is the life of millions of working women and men after meritorious service to the nation”, said Aremu.

  • Improve power supply, not tariff, Aremu tells FG

    Improve power supply, not tariff, Aremu tells FG

    The National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) on Sunday said the Federal Government must ensure steady power supply before increasing electricity tariff.

    A statement issued in Kaduna by the Secretary General of the Union, Issa Aremu, said the group support the planned picketing of electricity distribution companies by the organise labour.

    “We hereby declare our total support for the planned picketing by labour and civil society allies of all offices of the electricity distribution companies (DISCOS) nationwide, including Abuja, on Monday February 8, to protest the unilateral and unlawful hike of electricity tariff.

    “We commend NLC leadership for this mass action for improved power supply instead of incessant non-service charges.”

    Aremu advised President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently revisit the report of the 2014 national conference and implement the holistic recommendations for the power sector.

    He said that the Federal Government should not allow the increase in tariff “by the underperforming generating and distribution companies.”

    “The point cannot be overstated; Power/Energy is so strategic to the industrialisation and the wellbeing of the people,’’ the former Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress said.

    He also appealed to the federal government to urgently review the privatisation contracts with the GenCos and DisCos.

    Aremu said the firms should be given a two- year time-frame “to allow them stabilise and provide efficient power supply to Nigerians before they can contemplate any tariff increase. ”

    The NUTGTWN General Secretary further said that there should be more transparency in all future sale of the nation’s assets.

    “We reject the hike in electricity tariff and hereby call on our members across the country and all well meaning Nigerians to come out and join NLC protest to drive home the fact that the unilateral and unlawful hike of electricity tariff is unacceptable.“

    Aremu said the textile union instead calls for improvement in power supply.

    “The point cannot be overstated. Between 30 per cent and 35 per cent of textile and garment manufacturing costs are energy related expenses.

    “ Without electrification there can be no industrialisation.

    “ The promise and expectation that President Buhari will revive textile industry generally is not possible without electricity, ’’ the labour leader said.

    According to Aremu, it is time for the Buhari administration to critically review the power sector reform with a view of increasing public sector investment.

  • Okada trade is undignifying, says NLC chief

    Okada trade is undignifying, says NLC chief

    SHOULD Nigerians accept commercial motorcycle popularly known as okada as a form of public transportation?

    No, says Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Issa Aremu. “Okada is very undignifying and the job, very risky,” he said.

    Speaking in Lagos, Aremu said okada should be banned outright.

    Aremu said: “Let us all continue to give the government the needed support to revive acceptable modes of transportation that would address mass transportation and one that we would all be proud of as a people. Okada is demeaning and dehumanising and can never be an alternative to mass transportation in this country.”

    He urged Lagosians to continue to support government’s investments in the public transportation sector, which according to him, remains the way out of unemployment and poverty.

    Many, he said, would benefit from jobs that could be created by the inter-modal means of transportation, rather than the risky job of okada.

    Facts, he said, showed that the rate of okada related accidents and okada related crimes have dropped across the state, adding that these should be supported and strengthened.

    About two weeks ago, the Lagos State House of Assembly initiated moves to amend the Schedule II of the Lagos State Traffic Law 2012, restricting okada operation on the highways, 495 major roads, bridges and pedestrian walkways.

    Citing continued operators’ complaints of harassment, extortion and confiscation of their motorcycles even on approved routes by policemen, the law makers, in a resolution, urged Governor Babatunde Fashola to prevail on the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Manko, (who was then the Commissioner of Police), to order his men to stop apprehending operators, pending the amendment to the law.

    The government distanced itself from the move as the Commissioner of Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, denied government’s knowledge of the proposed amendment.

    He said: “Okada business is not a decent job, it is not unionised and not pensionable. I admit that people go into it because of economic pressure, but there was a time in this country when okada was never an option. Let us go back to that era. Let us collectively say no to okada as a form of transportation.