The Nation Newspaper

Tag: labour

  • Labour may suspend minimum wage strike today

    There are indications that the warning strike called by organized labour to compel government to resume the suspended negotiations on the new national minimum wage will be suspended today (Sunday)

    It was gathered that the decision to suspend the strike may not be unconnected with the intervention of the Presidency through the office of the Chief of Staff to the President.

    The Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari was said to have  assured a delegation led by President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba to the presidential Villa that the President will address the concerns of labour upon his return to the country from the United Nations General Assembly.

    With the assurance, Kyrai appealed to labour movement to suspend the strike immediately.

    Reassuring as the outcome of the discussion with Kyari appeared to the labour delegation, Wabba stressed that the decision to suspend the action was not entirely in that of the National Administrative Council (NAC), but other organs of both NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

    The various organs of organised labour are said yo have met to review the government position and may have decided to suspend the action.

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige had said the tripathite Committee will resume sitting on Thursday October 4 to conclude it’s assignment.

  • Labour promises workers better deal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

  • Minimum wage: Meeting with labour not deadlocked – Minister

    The Federal Government says that the meeting with organised labour on the minimum wage did not end in a deadlock.

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, said this in a statement issued in Abuja by Mr Samuel Olowookere, the Director of Press in the ministry.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister met with labour leaders who were part of the Tripartite Committee on the new National Minimum Wage to give them an update on government ’s position.

    Ngige, who was reacting to some media reports, however, described the meeting as successful.

    ‘The meeting was, in fact, successful as both the Federal Government team led by the Minister of Labour and Employment and the leadership of the organised labour agreed to reconvene the meeting of the National Minimum Wage Committee on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018.

    ” This is to give enough time for the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission to round off the assignment given to it.

    ”As a result, labour agreed to reach out to its organs of leadership with the October 4th resumption date as demanded by its National Executive Council with a view to suspending the proposed strike, ” the statement said.

  • Labour to Fed Govt: commit to N65,000 minimum wage or face strike

    THE United Labour Congress (ULC) has called on the Federal Government to commit to pay N65,000 as the new minimum wage before the 14-day ultimatum ends or be ready to face workers’ wrath.

    ULC said lack of patriotism and political will as well as official greed and corruption that were responsible for non-existence of a national minimum wage and not shortage of necessary resources to pay as claimed.

    Its President, Joe Ajaero, said yesterday in Lagos that with two days to the end of the ultimatum,  the announcement by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo that government had convened a committee was belated and an insult to workers.

    Ajaero said the organised private sector’s withdrawal of their initial increment to a reduced N25,000 was an embarrassment to workers.

    He said government has shown by its actions a lack of seriousness, which, he alleged, characterised governance in Nigeria.

    Ajaero decried a situation where the Federal Government since February was yet to come to the negotiation table with a figure for the new minimum wage.

    “We shall no longer be obliged by this time to give any further notice to the government before embarking on the needed action to resist the deliberate and unconscionable desolation of our people and nation and we order all our affiliates and state councils to move to the final level of alert in their preparation for the proposed nationwide strike.

    “Furthermore, we wish to state that Nigerian workers will not only deny any government that denies us our living wages  in the forthcoming general elections, but will also set up an active machinery to mobilise against their elections,” he added.

    He hailed the government for listening to labour by suspending Nigeria Air, which, he said, was initiated without clear goals.

    Ajaero said a new national carrier should be established with clear purposes to cater to the needs of the citizens.

    ULC urged governments to settle arrears of pensions and gratuities owed workers.

     

     

  • Labour set for nationwide strike

    The organised labour began preparation for its nation-wide strike over Federal Government delay in the implementation of a new national Minimum Wage.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, President, United Labour Congress (ULC) said in a communique issued after its meeting on Monday in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the organised labour, made up of the NLC, TUC and ULC had on Sept. 12 issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government to state an amount to enable the minimum wage committee conclude its sitting.

    Labour had collectively demanded for N65,000 per month as the new National Minimum wage for all Nigerian workers as harmonized by organized Labour.

    Ajaero said that if the government failed to meet their demand on the expiration of the ultimatum, it would collaborate with other labour centres and Civil Society Organisations to embark on a nation-wide strike.

    ”We shall no longer be obliged by this time to give any further notice to the government before embarking on the action.

    ”By this communiqué we order all our affiliates and state councils nation-wide to move to the final level of alert in their preparation for the proposed nationwide strike,” he said.

    The labour leader said that a new national minimum wage was desirable and possible, adding that lack of patriotism, greed and corruption was the bane of a reasonable wage.

    Meanwhile the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has empowered the National Administrative Council (NAC) and its leadership to carry out all necessary actions in conjunction with other stakeholders to ensure the achievement of the minimum wage. (NAN)

  • Ngige faults Labour on new pay

    Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige yesterday dismissed Labour’s threat to go on strike over the new minimum wage.

    The minister said the Chairman of the Committee and former Head of Service of the Federation Ms Amma Pepple will brief President Muhammadu Buhari on the progress so far made by the committee today.

    Ngige, who was reacting to the two-week ultimatum issued by organised Labour accusing the government of stalling negotiation, said the ultimatum was unnecessary as the committee was working within the time frame it set for itself.

    He said the various conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on minimum wage and other negotiations do not allow partners to issue threats as the other partner will be regarded as negotiating under duress.

    There is no figure for the committee to agree on. Labour blames this on the minister.

    According to the minister, the committee’s work, including a draft bill to be sent to the President and subsequently to the National Assembly, is ready. What is left, he said, is the figure to be agreed upon.

    He said while it is easy for organised Labour to agree on a figure, it is not that easy for the government as it must consider the country’s economic situation and the ability of the state governments to pay the agreed figure.

    He said while organised Labour first made a presentation of N56,000 as its demand, it withdrew it,  and made another presentation of N65,000. The Organised Private Sector made a presentation of N42,000 and later withdraw it for N25,000.

    Ngige said that with all the presentations, the government needs to look at everything that has been presented before arriving at a figure which can be paid by all. “If we arrive at a figure that is not implementable, what then Is the essence of negotiation?” he asked.

    He explained that at the last meeting of the committee, he requested for two weeks to consult with members of the Economic Management team, most of whom were out of the country with the President, adding that the committee was inaugurated by the President because of his personal interest in the matter.

    He said: “We don’t want people to renege on the agreement when we finally come up with something. That is why the President insisted that the governors must be part of the process. They had complained that they were not part of the last process.”

    The Governors Forum had also asked for more time to consult among themselves.

    Accusing organised Labour of trying to overheat the polity, Ngige said the Buhari administration is worker-friendly, adding that no worker has been sacked since its inception.

    Besides, the government is putting in place several palliatives for workers, Ngige said.

    He said the Federal Government spent about N70 billion last year in settling the backlog of workers’ emoluments while encouraging the private sector to grow and employ more workers.

    To Ngige, the ultimatum by organised Labour is a subtle blackmail, which is not allowed in Labour laws.

     

  • New Minimum Wage: Labour issues two weeks ultimatum as Fed Govt gives assurance

    Labour leaders in Nigeria yesterday cautioned the Federal Government to stop foot dragging on the New Minimum Wage and allow the tripartite committeeconclude its job to avoid industrial crisis.

    The ultimatum coincided with an assurance from the Federal Government on the new minimum wage.

    The labour leaders, who are members of the Minimum Wage Committee at a joint news conference addressed in Lagos, gave the federal government 14 days to ensure that the committee conclude its work or be ready to face industrial action.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba , Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, said that the committee was not pleased with the comments alleged to have been made by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige.

    According to him, Ngige had last week allegedly said that the committee should adjourn indefinitely to enable him do further consultations with the government.

    “We view his supposed pronouncement with great concern, suspicion and outrage.

    “This new antic certainly is not acceptable to Nigerian workers, who had expected a New National Minimum Wage since 2016, “he said.

    The NLC president said that in the course of the meeting, the committee members had time to consult and received memoranda and inputs from 21 state governments, specialized Agencies of the Federal Government, the Organized Private Sector, Organised Labour and the general public.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, President of the United Labour Congress, (ULC) said that issues concerning the minimum wage has been concluded and that the committee was expecting government representative to pronounce their own figure.

    Ajaero, however, refused to give a likely figure that could be approved as minimum wage and also did not give a clear answer on whether government was sincere on paying the new wage.

    He said that the call for a new minimum wage became necessary because it was already overdue, and in view of the increasing cost of goods and services.

    The news conference was attended by top labour leaders from NLC, TUC and ULC.

    The Presidency on Wednesday reassured workers of the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to an increase in the minimum wage.

    Sen. Ita Enang, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate) gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    Enang spoke in response to alleged lack of commitment by the Federal Government to an upward review of the minimum wage, which has been N18, 000 for over eight years.

    “I want to assure you that the Buhari-led administration is very honest and committed to reviewing the salaries of workers.

    “If he was not, he would not have set up a committee on minimum wage headed by a retired Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. This is a sign of commitment, the Minister of Labour is part of it.

    “So, it shows the level of commitment, and it is not a committee of the Federal Executive Council, it is a presidential committee set up and inaugurated by the president.”

    Enang urged NLC to consider unemployed Nigerians in its demand for salary increment.

    ”The workers and labour should include all those who are qualified to be employed but are not yet employed.

    “So, when we are talking about increase in the salaries of workers, let us also make allowance for new people to be employed.

    “That is; thinking about those you and I have trained who have graduated, who out of frustration sometimes act and behave in a manner which they ought not to, and sometimes take to social media to harass the government and you.

    “Sometimes, they even revolt against you in the house because they do not have what to do.

    “So, when we are talking about increase in salaries, I agree to it, but I think we should also factor along creating employment for those who are yet to have.”

    The presidential aide said the Federal Government was already working towards achieving that by encouraging its agencies and parastatals to employ young and qualified Nigerians.

    Enang stated that the government was also creating self-employment opportunities for enterprising youths through its social investment programme.

    He said the government was equally creating the enabling environment in the agricultural and technological sectors for young Nigerians.

    The tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee, made up of 29 members drawn from organised labour and the federal and state governments, was inaugurated in May, 2017.

    Although the committee was given till Sept. 1 to submit its report, it could not meet the deadline due to disagreement over the minimum wage figure.

    On Aug. 21, Minister of Labour and Employment Dr Chris Ngige, however, blamed the delay on the inability of state governors to agree on a figure.

    According to the minister, the Federal Government through its Economic Management Team, is working with the governors to find a common ground

    Until then, the minister said he could not tell when the new minimum wage would be implemented.

    The NLC on Monday said the Committee on National Minimum Wage was yet to agree only on a figure for the new minimum wage for the Nigerian workers.

    Wabba said: “However, just before we conclude, the Minister of Labour spoke at that occasion as a representative of the Federal Government, saying the they needed to go and consult before arriving at a figure.

    “We felt that since this committee was inaugurated in November and everybody was aware that all stakeholders needed to tidy up whatever consultations they needed to do and make sure that we are able to work within that timeline.

    “Clearly speaking, they were not prepared to produce a figure by that date. But our report has been completed. What is left is just to agree on a particular figure as minimum wage.

    “All the parameters to be used to arrive at a figure are there. I can say clearly that states have sent in memorandums.

    “In fact, 21 states sent in memorandums, with about 12 quoting figures, NECA has submitted a figure, organised labour has submitted a figure.

    “With this new development, they are saying that they want to consult, we could say that it is not a fair process if somebody is saying at this point that he has not consulted,” he said.

    Wabba noted that the organised labour, would meet formally and issue a formal statement, and also see how they would ensure that the interest of Nigerian worker was not in any way undermined.

    According to him, this is where we are and we think that it is proper that we put the fact before our members.

    “Labour leaders have already called for our organ meetings where we will brief our members.

    “Already, it is in public domain that both the government and labour agreed that the timeline must be respected and they were saying that September is not feasible.

    “We are committed to respecting the timeline and that is why we left everything we are doing to do the needful to be able to do a good job.

    ”All the parameters you can think of have been considered and the report is ready. But the only thing missing is the issue of the figure.”

    The NLC president also recalled that individual states had quoted figures and every state was given the opportunity to make its own presentation.

    He also noted that a letter was written to every state by the secretariat to send in their memo, making their inputs and 21 of them actually made inputs.

    “You are aware of the figures quoted by organised labour. We have enough data to do justice to the work and we have actually done justice to the work. I am telling you that this is what has happened.

    “So there was enough time for everybody to make input. This should have been consummated but some people are saying they need time for consultation.

    ”We thought that should not have been the situation, because of the importance of the issue to Nigerian workers; and the workers can also not continue to be patient,” he said.

  • Labour pickets Nokia Solutions

    Members of the Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN), yesterday,  picketed Nokia Solutions Networks over alleged flawed redundancy exercise and disregard for local  industrial laws.

    The group alleged that the anti-labour practises of the firm was further exacerbated by its casualisation of workers while staff are disengaged and outsourced to recruitment firms and given three months employment letters.

    Its President, Oladapo Moses said the group was not against the redundancy laws of the company as  it was designed   to cut cost. He however wondered why expatriates that have continued to abuse local industrial laws were still retained in the firm.

    He said: “ It is appalling that an expatriate is a fleet manager, an expatriate is a chief security officer (CSO) and those that have spent more than 10 years in the country in disregard to the laws of the land are left in employment while Nigerians were sacked.

    “We went to the Ministry of Labour which said the firm should hold on but the new Human Resources Manager (HRM) boasted that he could do anything and get away with it. This made him to further disengage13 workers last Friday in total disobedience of the Federal Government.”

  • Give anti-workers govs red card, Labour tells voters

    Organised Labour under the auspices of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) has asked workers not to re-elect governors that don’t care about them.

    Rather, it urged the workers to serve them red card at the 2019 general elections for lacking the conscience to do what is right.

    In a communiqué at the end of its 70th National Executive Council meeting, the union asked governors owing salaries and pensions to stop treating workers as worthless citizens.

    The communiqué signed by the National President, Comrade Lawrence Amaechi and acting General Secretary, Yahaya Ndako, the union also passed a vote of no confidence on Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha over what it described as his anti- labour policies.

    The union also expressed concerns over delay in concluding the ongoing negotiation on the new National minimum wage.

    The communiqué reads in parts: “NEC-in-Session resolves that the union will oppose vehemently any action aimed at delaying this process.

    “To this end, therefore the NEC urges the Federal Government to match its words with actions so that the high expectations of workers on the implementation of the new minimum wage would be realised on or before September, 2018.

    “Failure, the entire members of the Union will not take it with levity.

     

     

    “The 70th NEC applauds the bold and proactive steps taken by the President of Nigeria Labour Congress to report the Federal Government to ILO, on their obnoxious and draconian Labour bill aimed at distorting our Industrial Relations landscape.

    “NCSU notes that any attempt to pass a bill that negates or violates ILO Convention 98, would be vehemently resisted by organised Labour.”

    The union rejected the high and intimidating rate of unemployment, which it said pose grave serious security risks.

     

  • Labour: policemen protest shameful

    United Labour Congress of Nigeria (ULC)  has condemned  the protest by policemen maintaining security in Borno State over unpaid benefits.It described the action  as a shame. and the height of insensitivity by the police authorities.

    The group made this known in a statement, demanding  a review of the law banning  the police  and  Customs and Immigration and the other  security agencies from joining a trade union.

    The  statement by ULC  President, Joe Ajaero, said: “We are worried that in these critical times when we are grappling with severe security challenges that those who we have entrusted our national security in their hands are being owed months in salaries.

    “How do we expect those who bear arms to have the needed confidence and commitment to protect the citizenry? This may explain the spate of accidental discharges and crimes committed by men in uniform.

    “ULC, therefore, demands a review of the law banning Police officers, Customs and Immigration and other men and officers of the various security agencies from joining the trade union movement.

    “It is only the unions that can speak on behalf of these denied and deprived Police officers and this is the danger which the refusal to allow them exercise their rights as Nigerian workers exposes the country to.”

    Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) President, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama expressed shock on hearing about the protest.

    He said: “If what we read in the dailies and saw on the televisions are anything to go by, we consider it unfair and inconsiderate on the part of leadership to deny security officers who have left their families to stake their lives for our peace and security.

    “It is unfortunate that our country has become notorious with everything that hinders growth and development. In saner climes, the welfare of security operatives are not taken for granted.

    “The reverse is the case here. An unpaid armed officer is a danger to himself, family, community and the society at large. It demeans us as a country that our security officers buy their uniform, shoes and other accessories. They do not have even decent accommodation. When you deny them six months allowances what then will motivate them in the war front?”