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Tag: Joe Ajaero

  • 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.”

  • Strike Notice: UCL is blackmailing FG to get registration – NLC, TUC

    Strike Notice: UCL is blackmailing FG to get registration – NLC, TUC

    Organised Labour made up of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) 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, Bobboi 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.”

  • May Day: ULC demands ‘living wage’ for workers

    The United Labour Congress (ULC) on Monday urged the government to invest in workers by paying them a “living wage.”

    Its president Comrade Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2017 May Day celebration in Lagos.

    He said the government should “invest heavily on the workers and the people” as a means for catalysing national development.

    Ajaero said the pursuit of increased national wage that would offer a living wage for Nigerian workers has become an economic imperative.

    “It is not charity but an economic investment and a key strategy out of the economic quagmire which the ruling elite had foisted on Nigerian workers and people,” he said.

    ULC also called for a re-think of the privatisation exercise especially in the public utilities with a view to re-acquiring them where necessary.

    “Sop further attempts at privatisation especially in the railways,” the workers’ body urged the government.

    It said the Federal Government should continue the objective of returning the local refineries to full capacity and invest in new ones.

    It said there was the need to, in the short-run, sort out the supply bottle-neck that has made product availability difficult in Nigeria.

    ULC said companies should be discouraged from destroying collective bargaining platforms in order to encourage decent workplaces and enhanced terms and conditions of service for Nigerian workers.

     

  • May Day: NUPENG Warriors floor Electricity Bombers in novelty match

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) Warriors on Sunday defeated the National Union Electricity Employees (NUEE) Bombers 3-1 in a novelty match.

    The match was organised in Lagos by the United Labour Congress (ULC) as part of activities to celebrate May Day, held annually by workers on May 1.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, ULC President, said that it was the first time such a sporting activity would be organised in the spirit of May Day celebration.

    Ajaero, who scored the only goal for NUEE Bombers in the match, said it was pertinent to organise such sport for unionists because of the need for them to exercise.

    “ULC is trying to involve members in recreation activities. It will not only be protest and prolonged demand; and we intend to sustain it annually.

    “It is also important to exercise because between January and April this year, the organised labour has lost four general secretaries. Our health should be our priority,” he said.

    The ULC leader,who said he was happy scoring the only goal for his side, promised that subsequent football matches would be made more colouful.

    Mr Joseph Ogbebor, NUPENG Warriors team manager, told NAN that the objective of the match was to add colour to the May Day celebration.

    “It is not a time to make speeches but to create an atmosphere for people to relax and have fun,” Ogbebor said.

    He said he was happy that the NUPENG team won the match.

    The team manager for NUEE Bombers, Mr Isaac Babatunde, told NAN that the game was aimed at making solidarity stronger.

    According to Babatunde, the labour movement is full of struggle, hence the need to entertain one another.

    He said that though they lost the match, it was played in the spirit of love.

    Babatunde said he looked forward to a better performance by the team next year.

  • Nigerian, South African unions to meet on xenophobia attacks

    Nigerian trade union, United Labour Congress (ULC) has said plans are underway for talks with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) over the recent attacks on foreigners in that country.

    COSATU is the largest of South Africa’s three labour federations, with 1.8million members from 21 affiliated trade unions.

    ULC national president, Joe Ajaero, stated this at the ULC’s inaugural Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held in Lagos at the weekend.

    Ajaero, who condemned the xenophobic attacks, urged South African trade unions to speak out against the attacks, saying they were evidence of “misplaced aggression.”

    “COSATU should speak out, though the ULC is putting in place modalities for reaching out to our comrades in that nation for positive steps in building better relations between our citizens,” Ajaero said.

    The ULC lamented the “looming hunger and hardship” in the country, but commended the Federal Government’s current efforts to protect the naira and urged a “more sustainable action to sanitise the foreign exchange market.”

     

     

     

     

  • Let workers choose which labour union to join – ULC

    The United Labour Congress (ULC) has urged the Federal Government to allow workers choose which labour union to join.

    In a letter to the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, the union said compelling workers to belong to a particular union would amount to slavery.

    ULC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, was reacting to suggestions that the registration of the new union in addition to the existing Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) could create anarchy.

    The union said every Nigerian worker has the right to decide which labour union to join.

    “It goes against our traditions and norms as a labour movement to encourage slavery in any form either in the workplaces or within the trade unions.

    “We believe in the unqualified rights of every Nigerian worker to seek the creation of platforms that would allow them to better articulate, project and protect their interests in all circumstances and at all times.

    “We, therefore, encourage such workers with such desires to please go about it without fear or favour within the ambits of our laws and natural justice,” ULC said.

  • Why we pulled out of strike, by NLC faction, NUPENG

    The Joe Ajaero-led faction of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Friday said they refused to join the nation-wide strike called by the Ayuba Wabba-led NLC because the Federal Government responded to their demand to arrange a meeting with stakeholders.

    At a press conference in Lagos addressed by Ajaero and NUPENG president, Achese Igwe, the labour leaders said strike would have been the last option if talks with the government had failed.

    Ajaero said his faction of the NLC held productive talks with the government, including the agreement to set up a panel on palliatives to cushion the effect of the petrol price increase.

    According to him, both factions of the NLC could have worked together on the strike, but, according to him, the Wabba-faction walked out of a meeting with the government, insisting that the Ajaero faction must not be part of it.

    “If not for the unfortunate incident that happened that day, maybe we would have been together. Maybe it’s an ego thing,” Ajaero said.

    Besides, he said before a strike action is declared, a 21-day ultimatum ought to be given, not three days.

    He called for transparency in the management of the palliatives, saying the refineries should be fixed or new ones built while more jobs must be created.

     

  • Ajaero’s faction backs out of strike

    The factional president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has said his faction will not take part in the planned strike called by the Congress to protest the fuel price hike.

    Ajaero told journalists in Abuja that his faction cannot be part of the action because it was called at a wrong time and with wrong motives.

    He also accused the Ayuba Wabba faction of asking the government to write off the N2 billion loan the group collected in 2012 to buy buses.

    He said: When you are asking that the loan given to you in 2012, which had not been paid back should be written off, we believe that the action has already been sold out before it takes off.

    “So, we will wait for our group to meet. But definitely, it appears that by ideology and every other thing. We can no longer meet. We thought we should have managed this in the interest of Nigerians but from the look of things, if appear we have to go our different ways.

    “We have condemned the increase and called for negotiation and reversal. It was on the basis of our calls that this meeting was summoned for us to meet and find the way forward.”

    While insisting that his group will not participate in the strike, Ajaero said, “If we wanted to be serious about an action, you can’t call for an action on Wednesday. It is only an action that is sold out that is called for Wednesday so that by Friday, you say you have strike lethargy and call it off.

     

  • Government, labour meet over fuel price hike

    There was a mild drama on Monday at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) during a meeting convened between the organised labour and the Federal Government to resolve the brewing crisis caused by hike in fuel price when the leadership of labour threatened to boycott the meeting if the factional leader of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, was allowed to be part of the meeting.

    The meeting earlier slated for 3:00pm did not start until 7:10pm when the SGF led other members of the negotiating team to the conference hall.

    The government delegation was led by the SGF, David Lawal and it included Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kackukwu, Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Abubakar Bawa Bwari, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed and the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Ita Enang.

    The labour delegation included President of the NLC, Ayuba Wabba, President of the Trade Union Congress, Bobboi Kaigama, General Secretaries of both the NLC and TUC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson and Comrade Simeso Amachree, Deputy President of the NLC and TUC, Najim Yaseem and Austin Etafo and the President of PENGASSAN, Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson.

    However, the factional leader of the NLC, Ajaero and his deputy, who is also the president of NUPENG, Igwe Achese, who were present at the SGF office were not allowed into the meeting as they were asked to stay out and await their turn to meet with the government team.

    The president of NLC and TUC led out their team from the conference hall of the SGF office, insisting that Ajaero and his team should not be part of the meeting since the issue for discussion was not about electricity and pleas by Dr. Kachikwu to get them into the meeting proved abortive.

    Addressing the meeting before going into a closed door section, the SGF said the decision to deregulate the petroleum sector was taken in the best interest of Nigerians, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari empathizes with Nigerians over the short time consequences of the decision.

     

  • Labour Union explains cause of salary delay

    The National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) has attributed the plight of Nigerian workers through delayed payment of salaries and diversion of bailout funds to division in the apex labour movement.

    NUTGTWN General Secretary and former Vice President of NLC, Comrade Issa Aremu said: “The current assault on the work force such as delayed payments of salaries, diversion of bail-out funds are made possible because comrades are not united in mass actions against bad employers and bad Governors.”

    Aremu, who addressed the press in commemoration of this year’s workers’ day alongside the President of the Union, Comrade John Adaji however, called on labour unions affiliated to Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to critically use the occasion of May Day to get united for a vibrant labour movement.

    According to Aremu, “We regret that as we point two accusing fingers at bad governors and bad employers, the remaining three fingers point at us too who are unacceptably divided against ourselves rather than united against common class enemy.

    “It’s time we close ranks to ensure we have an NLC that commands the confidence of workers, be trusted by the public, respected by the government and employers.

    “To this extent our union calls on NLC leaders at all levels to immediately implement the report of the NLC Reconciliation Committee under the Chairmanship of Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu aimed at resolving the avoidable crisis arising from 11thDelegates Conference last year.

    “Textile Union is not happy that NLC could not have a common May Day in spite of the joint resolutions of all the parties to put the past behind. We commend Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu, Comrades Ayuba Wabba and Joe Ajaero for the signed resolutions. It is however time we all implemented these resolutions with sincerity of purpose.

    “We need a united NLC to fight the issue of unpaid salaries, the struggle for improved minimum wage, the war against corruption, revival of industries and the creation of mass decent employment among others. If we operate separately, we will be defeated separately, but if we are united we shall overcome. We must stop ‘comrades-on comrades’ quarrels,” he said.

    However, the union commended both the Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade and Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo for their pronouncements in restoring the dignity of labour during the 2016 May-Day celebrations nationwide.

    “At a period when not less than 22 states default in payment of salaries of the workers, Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers state announced the payment of May salaries of workers in the employment of the state government while  Edo governor, Adams Oshiomhole on Sunday announced the increment of the National Minimum Wage from N18,000 to N25, 000 with immediate effect, for employees in the State Public Service.

    “The two governors have by their pronouncements demonstrated that the crisis of non-payments of salaries in most states is contrived, artificial, self serving on the part of the defaulting governors. It is not the lack of means and resources to pay their workers, but sheer lack of willingness to abide by the spirit and content of the 1999 constitution which says that the primary function of the government is the security and welfare of the citizens. It is a class war the defaulting governors are waging against their workers through denial of wages. In a decent country, there is always enough for the needs of all, including workers, but not enough for the greed of rulers, some governors inclusive.

    “We commend both Governors of Edo and Cross River for breaking ranks with the gang of some insensitive greedy governors who assign little resources to labour as a critical factor of development, but throw scarce resources to phoney projects by ghost contractors in the garb of infrastructural Development. With respect to Edo, Comrade governor has also shown that wage payment is not just a function of ability to pay, but willingness to muster the ability to motivate the work force for productivity and development,” Aremu said.