Organised labour in Ekiti State has risen in defence of Governor Ayo Fayose.
The labour unions praised Fayose for according priority attention to the welfare of workers.
Speaking in Ikogosi-Ekiti at a three-day retreat for the leadership of public sector organised labour, State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Raymond Adesanmi said Fayose is not doing badly in terms of the welfare of workers.
Adesanmi asserted that the governor deserved commendations because of the recent approval for the promotion of 15,722 workers covering years 2013 and 2014.
The NLC boss said Fayose had shown maturity by giving room for dialogue with labour leaders on all labour-related matters.
He urged the governor to look into the payment of gratuity and pension to retirees.
Head of Service Dr. Olugbenga Faseluka said the approval for the promotion is being effected as 7,824 local government staff and 7,898 workers in the core Civil Service, Teaching Service and Hospitals Management Board are to benefit from the promotion.
Tag: labour
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Labour hails Fayose
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Labour: ‘It was a trying year’
These are not the best of times for workers. According to organised labour, the N18, 000 minimum wage can hardly fetch anything in the market as prices of goods have gone up by at least 70 per cent. Labour also laments job losses by millions of Nigerians. TOBA AGBOOLA reports.
Labour has described 2016 as a trying year for workers.It blames it on the low oil price. The situation, it notes, is worsened by the fall of the naira, which has lost over 40 per cent of its value since oil prices began to fall.
Speaking with The Nation, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba said the congress would liaise with its allies when the need arises to engage the government and other critical stakeholders on workers, welfare. He asked for the people’s prayers for a better Nigeria in 2017.
He said the outgoing year was an eventful and challenging one for workers due to some developments, which tested worker’ resilience.
According to him, the economic situation was compounded by the massive corruption and maladministration of the past administration which cut across all tiers of government.
“This combined to further incapacitate workers and the masses. Many governors left unpaid workers’ salaries ranging from three to nine months,” he said.
Labour embarked on indefinite strike over fuel price hike
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, in May 2016, embarked on an indefinite strike to protest the hike in pump price of petrol.
This was the resolution of the groups at a meeting held at NLC headquarters in Abuja.
The strike which started around 12 mid-night on May 18, saw the two unions embark on an indefinite strike.
The union in a statement said: “Our decision not to suspend the strike was further fuelled by today’s injunction by the Industrial Court, restraining us from proceeding on the strike expected to begin tomorrow”.
While the NLC resolved to go ahead with its planned strike over fuel price hike, TUC opted out.
The National President of the TUC, Comrade Kiagama Bobboi, gave reasons why the TUC disagreed with the NLC shortly before the commencement of the planned strike, saying that NLC was dogmatic in pressing its demands.
Speaking with The Nation Kaigama said the NLC came to the negotiation table with only one item, which was that the price of fuel be reverted to N86 per litre, even though the meeting with government afforded labour opportunity to address the contending issues once and for all.
However, on May 22 in Abuja, NLC suspended its nationwide strike to protest hike in electricity tariff and increase in the pump price of petrol in the country.
This was contained in a communique at the end of an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the congress.
The communique, signed by Ayuba Wabba and Dr Peter Ozo-Eson, President and General-Secretary of the congress respectively, stated that the suspension was with immediate effect.
The congress praised the leadership of the National Assembly and All Progressives Congress, led by Bola Tinubu, for the interfacing between Labour and government on the issue.
The communique said that after due consultation with NASS and the intervention of Tinubu, NEC with its constituents, resolved to suspend the strike that began on May 18.
“The congress will resume negotiation with government on the twin issues of hike in electricity tariff and increase in the pump price of petroleum products and any other issues that may arise thereof,”it said.
Labour demanded for 300% increase in minimum wage
This year’s May Day activities in Nigeria were marked with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) jointly tabling a demand for the upward review of the national minimum wage from N18,000 to N56,000.
Labour hinged its demands, despite the parlous state of the economy, on the grounds that a minimum wage review is long overdue.
Labour leaders considered the wage increase a matter of necessity and legality.
Interestingly, the union’s demand came at a period when government at all levels were facing a cash crunch.
Fed Govt responded to NLC proposal
President Buhari in one of his speeches assured workers of improved incentives to promote productivity. The President lamented the economic challenges facing the country.
Though, Federal Government had proposed N45,000 as new minimum wage as against the N56,000 proposal to NLC, after the last meeting held.
But the increase came with some conditions including the reduction in the number of civil servants and merging ministries and agencies. Although many issues were discussed.
Ultimately workers and the labour unions will have to wait for the recommendations of the constituted 15-man committee for the review of the minimum wage.
Fed Govt set up technical committee on minimum wage
The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on May 25 agreed to establish a 16-man technical committee to discuss the issues on minimum wages and other palliatives arising from the recent increase in the price of fuel.
The technical committee was to be chaired by a government nominee, Alhaji Muhammadu Buba, the former Managing Director of Pipeline Products Marketing Company (PPMC).
The agreement was reached after many hours of negotiation between government officials led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Edo State Governor, Adam Oshiomhole and NLC led by Ayuba Wabba. The committee was to discuss the minimum wage and modalities of implementing it.
NLC faction disrupted NECA’s AGM
A faction of the NLC led by Joseph Ajaer, during the year disrupted the Annual General Meeting of the employers group, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association.
Members of the labour faction stormed NECA’s yearly meeting carrying placards and singing solidarity songs.
They called on NECA Director-General, Olusegun Oshinowo, to stop victimising workers by supporting massive sack in the private sector.
Speaking on his grouse with Oshinowo, Ajaero said the DG was not in the best position to call any faction of a union illegal.
Fed Govt renewed commitment to protection of child labour rights
The Federal Government on June 25 renewed its commitment to the protection of child labour rights in a move to ratify the implementation of international conventions.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, stated this in Abuja during the occasion marking the 2016 World Day against Child Labour.
He observed that renewing the commitment will help fast-track the administration’s quest to consolidate the promotion of internationally recognised acts and conventions that prohibit the engagement of children in hard labour and other slavery activities.
He said: “I want to use this opportunity to express and renew our commitment to promoting internationally recognised Child Labour Rights, Conventions and Protocols adopted and ratified for the elimination of child labour, enforcement of minimum age at work and promotion of the African Charter on Rights of the Child.”
Further, the minister emphas-ised that child labour is a socio-economic challenge affecting not only Nigeria and African region but the entire world.
He, therefore, called on all stakeholders to join the Federal Government in mobilising support for the ratified ILO Conventions No. 138 on Minimum Age for Employment, and No. 182 on Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, including the implementation of National Policy on Child Labour, National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour in Nigeria and List of Hazardous Child Labour in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s unemployment rate rises to 13.9% – NBS
The National Bureau of Statistics said the country’s unemployment rate has risen from 13.3 per cent in the second quarter of this year to 13.9 per cent as at the end of the third quarter.
The bureau stated this in the unemployment report which was released by the Statistician General of the Federation in Abuja.
In the report, the bureau said the number of economically active people increased from 106.69 million in the second quarter to 108.03 million in the third quarter.
It added that during the period, a total number of 554,311 fresh people out of those that joined the labour force were unemployed in the third quarter.
This, according to the report, represents a 1.26 per cent increase over the previous quarter and a 3.57 per cent increase when compared to the corresponding third quarter of 2015.
The report reads in part, “The number of underemployed in the labour force increased by 501,074 or 3.25 per cent resulting in an increase in the underemployment rate from 19.3 per cent in Q2 2016 to 19.7 per cent (15.9 million persons) in Q3 2016.
“This is marginal increase of 0.4 percentage points between quarters 2 and 3 of 2016, and shows a steady rise in the rate since Q3 of 2015.
“During the reference period, the number of unemployed in the labour force, increased by 554,311 persons, resulting in an increase in the national unemployment rate to 13.9 per cent in Q3 2016 from 13.3 per cent in Q2.”
The report stated that unemployment and underemployment was highest for persons in the labour force between the ages of 15 24 and 25 34, which represents the youth population.
It noted that as was the case in previous quarters, unemployment and underemployment was higher for women than men in the third quarter of 2016.
For instance, it said while 15.9 per cent of women in the labour force were unemployed in the third quarter of 2016, a further 22.9 per cent of women in the labour force were underemployed during the period.
On the other hand, the report said 12 per cent of males were unemployed in the third quarter of 2016, while a further 16.7 per cent of males in the labour force were underemployed during the same period.
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Labour urges Ikpeazu to sack ABSUTH’s,others’ management
The leadership of organised Labour in Abia State has urged Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to sack the management of Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Abia State Polytechnic (ABIAPOLY) and Abia State Transport (ABIALINE) for their alleged inability to pay their workers, despite the funds they generate.
Speaking on behalf of other unions, the Nigeria Labour Union (NLC) State Chairman Uchenna Obigwe said the umbrella union could not understand why an agency that was generating money failed to pay the salaries of its workers.
Obigwe said each time the unpaid workers boarded the transport company’s vehicles – to and fro the capital city – they paid cash.
The union wondered why such agency of government found it hard to pay the salaries of its workers at the end of every month.
He said: “My Governor, ABIALINE is owing workers 12 months. We can’t understand why. This is because everyday, you see ABIALINE buses on the road and cars carrying passengers and goods to every part of the country. The passengers do not enter ABIALINE on credit. We also pay our transport fare.
“We have picketed ABIALINE. Yet, we can’t understand why it is owing. So, we think that sacking the current management and bringing in a new management, which will be ready to work with the state and pay up salaries, will be the appropriate thing to do now.
“The same thing goes to the management of Abia Poly and ABSUTH. Students of Abia Poly pay their schools fees and other fees which the management of the school demand. We can’t also understand why the management can’t pay the workers.
“Sick people who go the ABSUTH pay for their medical bills. We also can’t understand why the management of the hospital can’t pay salaries. We think you should sack the management of these agencies.”
The Labour leaders spoke at a meeting with the governor to deliberate on how to deploy the refund of N10.6 billion by the state from the excess deductions on World Bank loans.
The parties agreed that part of the funds would be used to clear salary and pension arrears in the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).While making contributions, another Labour leader acknowledged that Abia State University, ASOPADEC and some others are up to date with salary payments and wondered why ABIAPOLY with more students than Abia State University continues to have challenges with salary payments even after the current administration in the state bailed the management out of N2b loan to banks that have been outstanding for years.
The Nation recalls that on Monday 19th of December all the unions at the Abia Ploy and ABSUTH blocked major roads in Aba to protest the inability of the management of their different institutions to pay them arrears of the salaries that runs into seven to eight months. -
Labour seeks industrial harmony
Industrial harmony in the workplace would be enhanced if the management and workers put the interest of the organisation first, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), has said.
The Secretary-General of the Union, Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal, made the declaration in a lecture he delivered at the ‘2016 Annual Seminar of the Ministry of Defence unit of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN)’ in Lagos, during the week.
He emphasised that managements and workers have their respective interests to protect during negotiations and must always be guided by the knowledge that the survival of the organisation in question is a primary prerequisite for their continued existence as management and workers.
“This is precisely why industrial relations experts always recommend that employers and the employees must learn to moderate their demands on each other and accord the corporate interest of the organisation a priority while pursuing their separate goals,” Lawal said.
The ASCSN scribe, who addressed the theme: “Understanding the Principles of Negotiation, Collective Bargaining and Social Partnership in the Workplace,” posited that collective bargaining is governed by Convention 98 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on the right to organise and collective bargain.
He advised the managements in various organisations to avoid unfair labour practices, which engender industrial conflicts in the workplace.
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Labour vows to resist salary cut
The Federal Government’s decision to reduce salaries of public servants in some agencies, where their salaries and allowances are far above the threshold of National Salaries and Wages Commission has not gone down well with organised labour.
Already, organised labour is set for a showdown with the government, as various unions disclosed to The Nation that they are not ready for any reduction in salaries and allowances of their members, particularly at this time of recession.
Labour is also irked by the government’s plan to increase tax revenue, in view of the dwindling economic resources.
Already, evaluation and grading department officers of the Salaries Commission are said to have gone round the country to compile data on such agencies.
Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said last week that a circular had been issued on the approved template for the computation of operating surpluses of agencies.
She added that there would be non-allowable expenses in the computation of operating surpluses, including salaries and staff loans in excess of approved scale by National Salaries and Wages Commission; moneti-sation of medical and other allowances; business class travel for officers other than Chairman and CEO.
Also, salaries of some ministries and agencies were drastically cut last month with explanations that there was a new formula for determining personal income tax of workers.
However, labour leaders, who spoke with The Nation kicked against the alleged unilateral reduction in the salaries of workers in the federal public service and warned that the move would be resisted by organised labour.
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) President, Comrade Boboi Kaigama, and the National President, Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), Comrade Oyinkansola Olasanoye, frowned on what they described as the unexpected and unilateral reduction in workers’ salaries and asked for immediate refund of the money deducted.
Comrade Kaigama said: “We kick against that and we ask the government to refund such deduction. We don’t know how they came about that. Workers have not been notified why, and about any increase in taxes. We call on them to refund Nigerian workers their money.”
On the big disparity between the salaries of workers in the core ministries and some government parastatals, who are on the same level, the TUC president asked: “Is it now they are seeing that? “
He noted that world over, it operates like that; those agencies have their pay package different from that of the core ministries and can’t equate it. He said if government wants to bridge the gap, it should increase the salaries of workers in the core ministries. “This is no time for reduction of salaries. We will kick against it and resist it”, Kaigama stated.
On his part, Comrade Olasanoye said it was wrong for the Federal Government to reduce workers’ salary without due negotiating with their representatives.
She said: “Actually, the Federal Government can’t reduce salary without informing the labour unions in the public sector. It is completely wrong. It was the same government that declared that the economy was in recession.
“Government can’t take such a unilateral decision. Maybe they have met with the unions and other representatives of workers in the affected ministries and agencies. Maybe they have presented documented facts to their representatives on why it was important to reduce their salaries. That I cannot say for sure, but government is bound to engage stakeholders before taking any decision that will affect workers’ welfare.”
She noted that the government could only do such, having put in place basic amenities such as good health insurance for the workers, good housing scheme and others. She emphasised that ASSBIFI under her leadership will not support any move that will endanger workers’ welfare in any sector.
However, the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said he was not sure that the salary deduction story was credible. He added that the Congress had neither received any formal information about it nor confirmed it.
Wabba said: “I am not sure it is credible. I asked the Chairman of Joint Council and that of the Federal Capital Territory of the Congress this morning, but they said the information was not credible enough.
“We need to act on credible information and the FCT Chairman and the Joint Council Chairman are the right people to know, but we have not received any formal information on that. Salary is a right of workers and nobody can unilaterally cut it or reduce it. I enquired from them and they communicated back to me.”
Also, the National Secretary of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Shuaibu Usman Leman, in a release titled: “Stop these deductions,” described the action as “not only callous, but also ill-advised and uncalled for.”
He lamented that in this period of economic recession, the Muhammadu Buhari administration that was elected based on its ‘change’ mantra cannot afford any confrontation with poor workers that supported the advent of the administration. He, therefore, urged for caution.
There was an outcry by the Federal Government staffers last week when a memo addressed to all members of staff, titled: ‘Reduction in November 2016 Salary’, stated the cut in the salary.
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Recession: Fed Govt solicits Labour leaders’ support
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, has urged stakeholders in the labour sector to support Fthe ederal Government’s efforts at minimising the adverse effects of recession on Nigerian workers.
The minister stated this in Abuja, during the week, while declaring open the 4th Registrar of Trade Unions Annual Workshop with the theme The Role of Social Partners in Combating the Challenges of Economic Recession.
He said a lot needed to be done to stem the tide of recession and that stakeholders in industrial relations ought to come together to proffer ways of minimising it.
Ngige noted that workers bear the brunt of recession with the survival of trade unions threatened, and downsising, redundancy, casualisation and indecent work, among others, on the increase.
Ngige expressed optimism that various actions spearheaded by the Federal Government will improve economic activities and steer the nation’s economy out of recession.
He advised stakeholders in the labour sector to bargain in good faith, open communication and appropriate disclosure of relevant information devoid of deceit, delay and denial.
The representative of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mrs. Adenike Ajala, stated that despite the current economic situation, the organised private sector is committed to ensuring that they provide decent working environment for workers.
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Labour leaders suspend strike in Ogun
Organised Labour leaders have resolved to suspend the state workers strike that totally shut down government business in the last 12 days in Ogun State.
The decision followed the outcome of the 10 hours meeting between the state government, national and state labour leaders.
More details later.
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Labour shuts down govt activities in Ogun
Organised labour shut down government business in Ogun State yesterday as civil servants began an indefinite strike, ignoring the government’s no-work-no-pay threat.
Public primary and secondary schools pupils, who came to school, went back home as there were no teachers to attend to them.
The atmosphere at the Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Abiola Way, Abeokuta, was tensed. Armed policemen and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) surrounded the facility.
Also, the two entrances to the Secretariat in Oke -Mosan had two operational police patrol vehicles stationed there.
About 40 security operatives were sighted at strategic locations around the area; most of the car parks within the government secretariat looked forlorn and deserted as at 8.45 am.
The organised labour, comprising Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), through their state leaders – Olubunmi Fajobi (TUC), Akeem Ambali (NLC) and Abiodun Olakanmi (JNC), said the strike was instigated by the gocernment’s “breach of agreement” with Labour.
They accused the government of not paying Global Workers deductions for one year, forceful seizure of union dues, ostensibly to cripple unions in the state, failure to pay 16 months’ salary to workers of Tai Solarin College of Education, Omu Ijebu, and scrapping of Local Govt Joint Account Allocation Committee.
The organised labour accused the government of not releasing the 2015 – 2016 promotion exercise in core civil service, non-payment of gratuity to retirees since November 2012 and deduction of 72 months contributory pension without remitting same to pension fund administrator.
However, the state chapter of the Labour Party rued the workers’ strike and the attendant hardship it engendered but blamed the government’s action that gave birth to it.
Speaking with reporters, Acting State Chairman of the Labour Party, Arabambi Abayomi, urged the government to pay workers outstanding 12 months union check off dues as well as 12 months global deductions, which includes bank loans repayment, co-operatives savings and Ileya/festivals savings owed them.
But the government said there were no signs to show that the workers complied with Labour’s directive.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Taiwo Adeoluwa, however, said he instructed the head of Service and permanent secretaries to take attendance register to enable him invoke the no -work-no-pay rule on absentee-workers.
Adeoluwa said: “I will be honest. I’m not aware that there is a strike yet because on my way to the office this morning, I deliberately went round routes that workers usually take and I found out everywhere appears busy.
“So, if you should ask me I will say I did not see signs to show there is a serious strike although we learnt they planned to, but we are yet to see how cooperative and obedient their members have been.
“And I can confirm to you that government offices are open. In fact, I just spoke to the chairman of the State Internal Revenue Service and others and they all told me they are working.
“Whatever it is, we have instructed the head of Service and his permanent secretaries to take note of the workers who are absent without any lawful reason because we may invoke the no-work-no-pay penalty.
“If there is a strike, it has no basis and no justification. All I will do now is to just appeal to workers through you, I mean the little percentage who feel they have a case against the government, strike cannot be the solution and I want to challenge them to come out and state where we have defaulted from the aggrement we had in March.”
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Labour calls for solution to pension challenges
The Kaduna State Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have urged the government to address problems associated with contributory pension scheme.
They advised that for a successful implementation of the government‘s reform plan, a strong committee, including stakeholders, should be constituted with a mandate and objectives.
This was contained in a statement by the state’s NLC Chairman, Comrade Adamu Ango.
The statement said the implementation of the reform by the Kaduna State Government should be done in phases to address issues that might arise during the execution of the reforms.
The statement read: “The government should as a matter of priority, settle all outstanding arrears of salaries and entitlements of retirees before embarking on the reform.
“Without prejudice to the existing norms, we wish to advise that ageing in the service should be by the provision as contained in the statute books, i.e. 35 years in service and /or 60 years of age and that should be maintained for uniformity with the civil service of the federation.
“All problems associated with the contributory pension scheme should be addressed e.g. accrual valuation, reconciliation of remittance of employee/employer and the Group Life Insurance etc.’’
The unions recommended that officers that had reached or soon to reach the retirement age/years of service be allowed to voluntarily exit the service, while the government should make their entitlements ready for collection within the mandatory three months of notice to achieve a win-win situation.
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Labour vows to resist sales of national assets
LABOUR warned yesterday that the Federal Government should reject the clamour for the sale of the nation’s assets to fight the recession.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) described those pushing for the measure as enemies of the country, who are only bent on acquiring the nation’s assets for their personal use.
NLC President Ayuba Wabba told The Nation in an interview that the congress was against the suggestion that the Federal Government should sell off national assets to address challenges.
To Wabba, experience has shown that privatisation has not worked. Most of the national assets Nigeria sold off have not done well; selling off the assets will not be in the interest of Nigerians, he said.
Said the NLC chief: “First, most of our national assets they have sold under the banner of privatisation, non of them has succeeded. Many countries of the world has passed through this same period of recession and their approach to addressing the issue is not to sell their commonwealth, leaving them in the hands of a very few.
“It is worrisome that those canvassing for this are looking forward to buying these assets themselves. I don’t think it will be productive for us as a nation to dispose off these assets to meet short time need. It will certainly not be productive and not in the interest of the larger Nigerian public.
“As NLC, we are against the sale of those assets because we have tried it even in the power sector and the result is very obvious. Those people are looking for opportunity to buy those assets themselves. We are against it, especially selling them to individuals because of the gee viols effect of those assets that have been sold in the last.
“In the past, they were sold at give away price and people just amassed them for themselves.
“There can be a coexistence with people coming to invest side by side and for the government to strategically hold on to these assets. NLC is totally against the sale of these assets in the name of trying to address a short time need to address the challenges we are passing through. That is not what other countries have done.”
Wabba said should the government listen to the proposal and sell off the assets, organised labour will lock down the nation until the decision is reversed. “If they go ahead to sell the assets, we will protest. We have done that in the past,” he said.
“When it comes to selling off our national assets, if you remember, there was a time when they tried to sell the refineries when Obasanjo left office. We protested against it and that was how that decision was reversed. It is not as if these assets cannot add value, but because they have not been allowed to operate maximally.
“Take the refineries, for example. Our refineries are still among the newest in the world and so, if we add value to them, it is possible for the refineries to stop importation. It is because of inherent corruption that these refineries have not been allowed to work.
“Instead of addressing the corruption, what they did was to shift the to the larger Nigerian people without addressing the inherent challenges in the system.
“Our position is very clear and that is the fact that we are against their sales because they are for our children and generations yet unborn. We will be doing a lot of disservice if we sell such items. How are we sure that if we sell them, it will address the current challenges.”
Wabba said the congress made its position on how to get the economy back on track known to the President.
He said: “So, we must look at our fiscal policy, we must restructure our fiscal policies and try to work towards production and ensure that we are able to stimulate economic activities, considering the fact that a lot of savings have been made from recoveries made as a result of funds that were taken away as a result of corruption.
“These funds should be deployed immediately to stimulate economic activities. It is also very key to stabilise our power sector because no economy can move forward or engage in meaningful production without stable power supply. ”