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  • Reps to intervene in NLC strike, says labour must allow peace to reign

    Reps to intervene in NLC strike, says labour must allow peace to reign

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday, November 15, resolved to join forces with the Senate to apply legislative diplomacy and interface with the leadership of organised labour with a view to resolving all the issues leading to the ongoing strike.

    In a resolution after a lengthy debate on a motion of urgent public importance, the House asked organized labour to suspend the strike action and engage in dialogue with the leadership of the National Assembly to resolve all issue in the interest of the Nigerian people who many members said are suffering from even when it has nothing to do with their welfare.

    Deputy speaker of the House, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who set the stage for the debate, said the parliament could not pretend not to be aware of what is going on in the country with the strike called by organized labour or pretend that what concerned their constituents does not concern them.

    While commending the speaker for efforts he made to ensure that the House plenary hold, it was unworthy for the House not to discuss the situation in the country, adding that like in the past, organised labour should be made to trust the parliament to resolve the issues at stake without taking side with either the government or the unions.

    He said the House leadership should meet with their counterpart in the Senate and arrange an immediate meeting with the leadership of labour with a view to giving peace a chance, adding that the economy of the country was bleeding.

    The House leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbare, said even though his first reaction on issues of labour is usually to take sides with Labour, strike is not always the first option to resolving issues, but consultations, dialogue and mobilization.

    He said the current strike action by labour came with a speed of light without the necessary consultations and dialogue, even after the government had secured an injunction stopping the strike to allow for further dialogue.

    Read Also: Why INEC must use drones in future elections, by foreign observers

    The House Leader said those who are suffering as a result of the strike action are not those who attacked the NLC President in Owerri, adding that things like this cannot be allowed to happen in an economy that wants to recover.

    He said organized labour should desist from the ongoing strike and give peace a chance, adding that there was no need for the House to seat when the Nigerian people are suffering.

    The minority leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, said that the House should step down every other business of the day and take a decision on what to do about the strike action as the nation’s economy shaky, while organized labour should consider the plight of the Nigerian people.

    Chinda said: “We must not trivilaise strike for personal gains. We must put the overall interest of the people we claim to defend above every other consideration. I plead with Labour and the executive to have confidence in the National Assembly and allow the leadership step in and resolve the issues.

    While appreciating organized Labour for their consistent defence of the rights of the worker, Chairman of the House Committee on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gadgi said the House should condemn the strike action because the demand of labour is not acceptable to the parliament.

    He said: “The strike is not about removal of fuel subsidy or efforts being made by the government to address the plight of workers. It is about the misunderstanding between the NLC President and some citizens and the government of Imo state. Imo state is just one of the 36 states of the federation.

    “Their demand is to arrest and prosecute those who attacked the NLC President, the arrest, prosecution and dismissal of police officers who were allegedly involved in the attack. Should we call strike because of personal interest?

    “It is not enough to shut down Nigeria and NLC should not use personal issues to shut down the country. They should fight for the implementation of palliatives as a result of subsidy removal because Nigerians are suffering.”

    However, Hon, Babajimi Benson who chair the House Committee on Defence drew the attention of the House to an existing court order stopping the strike, adding that the federal government should file contempt proceedings against the leadership of Labour.

    He said the National Assembly inviting them to dialogue will be contempt of court, adding that the House should encourage the Executive to do the needful and file charges against them.

    Benson’s position was supported by Hon. Bamidele Salam who argued that in accordance with the provisions of section 6(6b) of the constitution, everybody including the leadership of organized labour are bound to obey any order of court.

    Salam said if Nigerians wants the current democracy to work, they must learn to obey orders of court, adding that organized labour cannot choose which order of court they want to obey or not obey, saying the matter should be left in the hands of the court.

    Hon. Ben Etababere who said he is a former chairman of PENGASSAN in Delta state, blamed the government for not being proactive enough to nip the crisis in the bid, pointing out that people have resorted to disobeying orders of court because the government does not respect court orders.

    Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo said the House must not allow the country to be brought to a standstill, even though they are not out to draw conclusion on who is right or who is wrong.

    Kumo said the total number of people who draw salary from the federal government is less than 3 million people. We must focus on the silent majority in the country. Let us not take advantage of every situation to overheat the polity.

    He said: “government should honour agreements with trade unions and the unions themselves should appreciate and respect the feelings of Nigerians. We should allow dialogue to address this issue and prevent a breakdown of law and order.”

    While also condemning the strike, Hon. Ugonna Ozorigbo who apparently spoke the mind of other lawmakers from Imo state condemned the strike, saying the people of Imo state have been suffering from the strike called by labour for the past 14 days.

    He said: “how many of the rich people are affected by the power cut in the state for the past 14 days? It is the poor people who they are supposed to protect that are suffering the effect of the power cut in the state.

    “The President has ordered the Inspector General of Police to carry out an investigation. We plead with organized labour to give peace a chance. The people of Imo state are suffering. Ajaero is our son and we want to enjoy him as NLC President. But that cannot happen when the people are suffering.”

  • Labour strike: Full, partial compliance in states

    Labour strike: Full, partial compliance in states

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliates yesterday made good their threat to embark on an indefinite nationwide industrial action to protest the brutalisation of NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero in Imo State. This was after they called the bluff of the National Industrial Court (NIC) which restrained them from going ahead with the strike. Our Correspondents, who monitored compliance in all the states, report that there was partial observance of the directive to stay off work.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), including their affiliates, yesterday commenced a nationwide industrial action to protest the manhandling of the President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, by hoodlums in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on November 1.

    Although, the strike action by organised labour came despite a restraining order by the National Industrial Court (NIC), there was partial compliance across the country.

    The Nation correspondents, who moved round the country to monitor compliance to the nationwide strike, reported mixed a compliance rate by workers and residents in some states.

    For instance, while some of them shunned the strike and went about their normal social and economic activities, others complied with the NLC and TUC directive.

    For instance, while there was partial compliance by workers in Lagos State, the compliance was total in Adamawa State; the strike also paralyzed commercial and office activities in Edo State.

     In Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, checks by The Nation showed there was partial compliance as workers joined the strike on Tuesday.

    For instance, members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) shut down the Tin-Can Island Port, Apapa, in compliance with the strike action.

    The MWUN protesters, led by their President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, were seen at the Apapa Port and later at Tin-Can Port, with a large number of workers monitoring compliance to the NLC’S directive

     However, the maritime workers’ grouse was not so much the brutalization of the NLC President, Ajaero.

    Instead, they told The Nation, that the Federal Government’s continued refusal to implement agreements, non-payment of backlog of salaries, pensions, discriminatory payment of salaries and non-compliance to national minimum wage were responsible for the strike action.

    This was contained in a statement issued by the head of Media, MWUN, Comrade John Ikemefuna.

     Based on this, Port workers prevented operators and users from accessing the port facilities, thereby disrupting economic and commercial activities at the ports.

    Read Also: Old banknotes remain legal tender indefinitely, says CBN

    Findings also revealed that workers at the first deep seaport in the country joined the strike action directed by labour unions. The gates leading to the headquarters of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Marina, Lagos, were also under ock and key by the unionists. Port users were seen loitering around the ports and there was heavy presence of police officers.

     However, business activities at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) were not affected. Members of staff of the agency were in the office to carry out their official responsibilities.

    No cargo-laden truck was seen either going into the ports or exiting the ports in Lagos. Visits by The Nation to ascertain the level of compliance with the directive also showed that some banks in Lagos were open for normal business operations.

     Also, the industrial action order did not have a major effect at the Lagos State Secretariat where workers were seen going about their regular businesses.

    Schools in Egbeda, Mushin, Ikotun, Ikeja, Agege, and Ketu, among others, carried out their academic exercises.

     NLC Public Relations Officer (PRO), Lagos chapter, Adejumo Ismail, who spoke to The Nation on the development, admitted that the partial compliance was as a result of ‘late notice’.

    According to him, there has been ‘substantial’ compliance with the strike directive so far. Ismail, however, assured of full compliance in the state on Wednesday, based on the ‘level of mobilisation and sensitisation’ of their members.

     “We have been to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Radio Lagos, Eko FM, Alausa Secretariat, Coca Cola, Airport Hotel, Cadbury, along Jakande Agidingbi.

    “We’ve monitored so many areas today. Some of our officers at Victoria Island are complying substantially. All the government agencies there are shut down, under lock and key.

    “The teachers have joined today, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) too have joined. All the unions in the tertiary institutions have joined in solidarity.

    “Banks, you know they are into two unions, they have their CP and NUBIFIE. But the two leaderships have already complied with us to join the action.

    “Due to the late notice, they have all agreed that tomorrow (i.e. today) they will be at home in compliance with the directive,” Ismail said.

    Business as usual in National Assembly, Abuja

      In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria on Tuesday blocked entrance into the National Assembly (NASS) in compliance with the NLC directive.

    Both the main gate and the Annex gate into the NASS were locked by officials of the Union, making it difficult for workers who came to work to access their complex.

     However, legislative activities went on unhindered in the House of Representatives while all scheduled committee meetings went on as planned.

    The National Assembly was its usual self by midday, which was a clear indication that the gates were later thrown open, even as the Union leaders vowed to shut all gates leading to the complex by 4.00am on Wednesday.

     Lawmakers and management staff were forced to use the gate leading to the Presidential Villa to access the complex.

    But members of staff who came to work complained of not being informed by the leadership of the Union about the strike only to come to work and be told that they cannot gain access because of the strike.

     The situation led to massive traffic jams around the entrances as people who were driving were forced to park outside and walk into the complex.

    However legislative activities carried on as usual as the House of Representatives led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas unveiled the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House, while plenary followed soon after.

    Partial compliance in Ondo, Ogun

    Organised labour in Ondo State joined the ongoing indefinite nationwide strike. A press statement jointly signed by NLC Chairman, Comade victor Amoko and the TUC Chairman, Comrade Clement Fatuase, urged workers in the state to comply with the strike directive appropriately.

     Ondo Chairman of Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Comrade Ademola Olapade, said the strike was basically on the attack on the NLC President, Comrade Ajaero, and non-implementation of some agreements reached with the Federal Government in the aftermath of the fuel subsidy removal.

     The statement, however, said Ondo organised labour was not against the administration of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, but to protest against impunity in the country. It called on all affiliate executives to ensure strict compliance with the directive of the national body until the matter was resolved.

     However, Monday’s strike action was partially successful in Ondo. State Government employees reported for duties even as bank workers were at their duty post. Public schools were opened for academic activities. Some pupils were later asked to go home.

     It was also partial compliance in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. Public secondary and primary schools in the state opened for learning and teaching on Tuesday. However, activities were totally shut down at the courts in the state.

     Checks by The Nation at Abeokuta Grammar School Idi – Aba, Kuti Memorial School, Isabo, and few others in Abeokuta, revealed the teachers and learners were in their various classrooms for morning lessons.

     The Ogun State chairman of TUC, Akeem Lasisi, told The Nation that the directive given was that there should be compliance by all, but stressed that instruction would soon be passed to the affected schools to comply.

     However, activities at State Judiciary were completely paralysed on Tuesday as the judiciary workers locked the gates to the courts in compliance with the NLC and TUC directive.

    A lady stenographer/typist whose stand is located beside the Isabo Magistrate Court complained that the strike had affected her daily business and that of her colleagues.

     The lady, who does not want her name in print, said nobody has brought affidavit materials to her for typing since morning as no judicial worker was on duty to process and stamp them after the typing.

    “The strike is punishing us, no business today and I pray it does not last. We don’t even understand why the people are on strike,” she said.

    Low compliance in Ibadan

    Normal activities went on in most parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Tuesday despite the call for strike by the two labour unions.

     The State secretariat was opened for activities. Aside from workers who reported for duties, those who have business dealings within the Secretariat complex were also seen going about their normal activities.

     Most offices remain open as workers and members of staff were seen at their duty posts across various ministries and departments.

     But the State Assembly Complex remained shut. Parliamentary workers in the state have been on strike which has entered its third week.

     The workers were sighted sitting under a canopy in front of the Assembly complex gate which had remained the meeting points of the workers in the last few weeks.

     Most Federal Government organisations, ministries and parastatals in the state also opened for business activities.

     The main entrance gate of the University College Hospital (UCH) was opened but the second gate was not. Medical officers were also seen attending to ptients.

     The Federal Secretariat was also opened with activities ongoing at all the departments and agencies housed at the Secretariat, Ikolaba.

     Convocation activities also went on the University of Ibadan but lecturers were not seen taking classes. Most offices were under lock and keys. Banks were also busy with operations across the capital city.

    Workers shun strike in Enugu; compliance in Anambra

    The call for withdrawal of services by the NLC and TUC was defied by all government workers and commercial banks in Enugu, on Tuesday.

     Our correspondent, who went round the metropolis, observed that banks were rendering services to their customers.

     It was also observed that workers of all government agencies, schools and the judiciary came to work early in the morning and continued till normal dismissal time.

     At the government revenue office along Zik Avenue, Enugu, our correspondent observed that workers were in their various offices while a bank along Agbani Road was also rendering services to its customers.

     Similarly, both private and government schools also failed to observe the strike as teachers were seen teaching their students and pupils.

     A civil servant, who spoke on condition of anonymity, blamed the leadership of both NLC and TUC over the non- compliance, saying they failed to act when the ovation was high.

     It was also observed that there were heavy vehicular activities in the major roads while the markets were opened for businesses.

     However, Chairman, NLC, Anambra State, Comrade Humphrey Nwafor, said workers in the State had already joined the strike as directed by the national body. He said defaulters of the directives would be dealt with accordingly.

      “We’ve joined the strike. We’ve directed our members to stay away from their offices and work places till further notice.

     “There won’t be any street protests. We’re only withdrawing our services as directed by the national body,” he said.

     When contacted, Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime, promised to react later when a text message was sent to him. But five hours later he was called, his phone rang out, neither did he return the calls.

    Flip-flop in Kwara

     The nationwide strike started on a flip-flop note in Kwara State. Pupils of public schools reported in the morning in their respective schools for the business of the day only to be told to go back to their houses.

     It was gathered that their teachers in the state had joined the strike. It was also observed that some Federal workers as at the time of filing this report had not joined the action.

     A staff of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CPC) told our correspondent that the commission workers had not joined the strike.

  • Labour Strike: Students sent home, banks locked in Osogbo

    Labour Strike: Students sent home, banks locked in Osogbo

    Students in public schools in Osogbo, Osun, were sent home on Tuesday following the nationwide strike declared by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observed that students from various public primary and secondary schools were seen on the roads and streets,  heading back home.

    At CAC Grammar School, Gbodofon, Osogbo, the gate awas left wide open as students were moving out of the school premises while some teachers were seen gathered under a tree, holding discussions.

    Similarly, some banks in Osogbo refused to open their doors to customers, while some were skeptical about opening and few opened for business transactions.

    Most offices at the state secretariat in Abere were deserted, with few workers observed going into and moving about within the secretariat.

    A staffer of the secretariat, who spoke to NAN under anonymity, said the strike has not started taking shape, and that if it was like the previous nationwide strikes, the gates to the secretariat would have been shut with members of the NLC and other labour unions blocking the gates.”

    Security personnel were seen stationed at the secretariat entrance, likewise at some strategic locations in Osogbo.

    Mrs Modupeola Oyedele, Osun State NLC Cartaker Chairperson, told NAN that the strike is in compliance with the directive from the NLC and TUC headquarters.

    Oyedele said the instruction to their members was to stay away from work, and that there would not be any form of street protest.

    “We are not doing street protest with the strike. The instruction is for workers to abstain from work and we are  complying.

    Read Also: Strike not in nation’s interest, Presidency cautions Labour

    “Public schools have sent back their students in compliance with the strike.

    “Many send their student back this morning because the strike directive came late last night, so that is why students were turned back after getting to school.

    “We are ensuring that there is compliance as our officials are at the state secretariat to ensure workers do not resume in their offices,” she said

    NAN reports that the labour unions on  Monday evening directed their members and affiliates to withdraw their services starting from Tuesday (today), a move the government terms illegal.

    (NAN)

  • Uzodimma, Keyamo, CSOs: Labour protests partisan

    Uzodimma, Keyamo, CSOs: Labour protests partisan

    • Osifo: we won’t stop
    • Passengers stranded at Abuja, Lagos airports

    Organised Labour came under fire yesterday for its protest over the assault on Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president Joe Ajaero in Owerri last week.

    Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) condemned what they described as Labour’s disruptive and partisan activities.

    Despite the condemnations, Labour insisted that the protest would go on to be followed by a nationwide strike from Tuesday.

    Yesterday morning, the NLC blocked access to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and grounded air travel activities at the airport for hours.

    Its members obstructed the road leading to the facility with luxury buses.

    The blockade led to long traffic and a standstill. Travellers were left stranded. Some of the sick and physically challenged billed to travel out of Abuja were being moved on wheelbarrows to the terminal, in what was a pitiable sight.

    Many travellers trekked long distances to get to the terminal building. Many missed their flights.

    At the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, scores of passengers were also stranded as workers barricaded the roads.

    At the Domestic wings, affiliate unions of the NLC and TUC, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Association of Aircraft Pilots & Engineers (NAAPE) and Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, stationed their members at the various counters to stop boarding activities.

    At the terminal One and Two, Owerri flights that landed were barred from a return leg.

    The actions of the unions also affected other flights as well as vehicular movements in and out of the airports.

    Security agencies were on ground to maintain law and order in the terminals as members of the unions also peacefully conducted themselves.

    The minister berated the union leadership for a shortfall in neutrality, saying that it has meddled in partisan politics.

    Frowning at the style of the union leaders, the civil societies said NLC has become an appendage of the Labour Party (LP).

    Uzodimma lamented that Ajaero had dragged the union into politics.

    Ajaero was attacked in Owerri while mobilising Imo workers for an industrial action against the state government.

    The NLC alleged that the attack on their leader was supervised by the state government and the police. 

    It demanded the removal of the police commissioner and an apology from the governor.

    Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has removed Police Commissioner Mohammed Barde but the NLC is not persuaded.

    Read Also: Imo: NLC now a political arm of Labour Party – CSOs

    Two days ago, aviation unions directed their workers to withdraw services to all public and private Owerri flights (both inwards and outwards) with effect from midnight. 

    The unions said the strike will be indefinite until otherwise directed by their umbrella bodies.

    However, for the past two days, the Owerri airport has been operational.

    Keyamo, who spoke at a retreat in Effurun, Delta State, said: “Aviation was not involved in the alleged molestation of the labour leader. Please, leave aviation alone. 

    “In targeting aviation, it affects Nigerians and foreigners. They are disrupting the entire country. They are my friends; I have been part of them.

    “Do not allow the Labour Party to destroy the labour movement. Call your leaders together. 

    “In other climes where these happen, the Labour movement is the owner of the party. Here, they don’t own the party. The Labour movement cannot be hirelings of the Labour Party.

    “This is my appeal to them; do not destroy yourselves on the platform of politics. They should not target aviation and please, do not bring politics to aviation. 

    “What they are doing is politics, not labour movement. It is not a fight for the workers. It is politics.

    “I condemn what happened to my friend, Ajaero. But in the same breath, you should not find yourself in such a place.”

    Ajaero pursuing LP’s interest, says Uzodimma

    To Uzodimma, Ajaero is pursuing the agenda of the LP in his state.

    He accused the unionist of deviating from the core Labour mandate of protecting its members’ interest and dragging the platform into partisan politics.

    According to him, not even Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who was NLC president before he became Edo State governor, manipulated the platform for a self-serving motive.

    Uzodimma, who spoke on two major television networks last night, said: “Joe Ajaero is pursuing his interest.

    “He has said times without number that he is a member of the LP. He has a candidate in the election of Imo State. So, he is driving whatever programme that will give an advantage to the LP in Imo.”

    Uzodimma wondered why the NLC leader has been hostile to his government, saying he will be looking for an opportunity to engage Labour in discussion.

    “It is surprising that an NLC president from Imo State will be hostile to my government,” he said.

    The governor explained that contrary to claims by the NLC, there were backlogs of salaries that were not paid before his administration.

    Uzodimma said employees workers were “ghost workers” while some received double salaries before they were discovered and stopped.

    He also said that his administration was one of the first to implement the N30,000 minimum wage.

    The governor called on well-meaning Nigerians to preserve democracy.

    He denied having anything to do with Ajaero’s travails. Uzodimma said he was in Abuja on the day the NLC president was assaulted in Owerri.

    “Neither I nor my government was involved in the matter.”

    Civil societies: NLC now an arm of LP

    Civil society groups accused the NLC of being the political arm of the LP ready to “blackmail, arm-twist and rain puerile machinations to disrupt the forthcoming democratic election in Imo State.”

    They bemoaned the action of the unions in a statement signed by the Executive Director of the Initiative for Leadership and Economic Watch in Nigeria, Splendour Agbonkpolor; Executive Director of Centre for Peace, Transparency and Accountability, Patrick Onomuodeke; Executive Director of the Integrity Advocacy for Development Initiative, Ofomhi Christopher and President, Civil Society Groups for Good Governance, Ogakwu Dominic.

    Agbonkpolor said the NLC president has “no right to stop the good people of Imo State from exercising their franchise, which is their inalienable right under democratic governance.”

    He urged labour to “purge herself from partisanship as labour unions are the last resort of the common man.”

    Agbonkpolor added: “It is high time the union suspended Ajaero to restore the confidence of ordinary Nigerians who see labour unionism as a struggle for the enforcement of workers’ rights and entitlement.

    “As concerned civil society organisation, we cannot sit and watch while unscrupulous elements in the name of comradeship fan the embers of hate and perdition.

    “We use this medium to call for overhauling of NLC as a matter of urgency to purge the union of questionable elements who are trying to bring the labour union into disrepute by being politically induced to cause crisis during the election.

    “We call for the suspension of Ajaero forthwith. He should be investigated by the Police, DSS and other security agencies.

    “We urge citizens of Imo to go about their lawful business and come out in their number and vote on Saturday.”

    Oluwo to NLC: don’t ground Nigeria

    The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, appealed to the NLC leadership to end the protests.

    He urged Labour to be patient with President Bola Tinubu.

    Oluwo made the appeal during the 2023 Festival of God held at his palace where religious leaders converged to praise God and pray for leaders of the country.

    Oluwo told reporters: “We know that things are tough and hard for Nigerians, but NLC should know that this present government is not the one that created this hardship and that is why Nigerians need to be patient with the government of President Bola Tinubu. Let him prove himself. He has put capable hands in his government.

    “We have seen him talking about the problems of this country eloquently. This means it is in his heart to resolve them. I trust and I believe that this present government of Bola Tinubu means well. He has taken the bull by the horns.

    “Many have led the country and lacked the boldness to do what he did by removing the fuel subsidy. This is just a temporary hardship.”

    NLC vows to fight on

    Labour vowed to sustain the protest, saying: “This is just the beginning.”

    TUC President Comrade Festus Osif, and NLC Deputy President Comrade Adewale Adeyanju led the Abuja protests.

    Osifo said: “This is a national issue and as such we must make it one; Hope Uzodimma cannot unleash thugs, cannot unleash the police on someone who has been advocating, someone who has been peacefully fighting for the interest of Nigerian workers.

    “For us, we say no. What is happening today is just the first step in a series of activities that will happen, except the Nigerian government does the needful; except the Nigerian government picks those people that perpetuated the evil on our president.

    “This is not acceptable; this can never be allowed by the Nigerian workers. Let us be strong because this is a marathon, it is not a dash. We are just starting, until the government acts, until the government does the needful.

    “The Area Commander that perpetuated this; that led those armed thugs who called themselves members of the Nigerian Police residing in Imo must be called to order. They must be investigated and brought to book; it is not just enough to transfer the Commissioner of Police. That is stage one.”

    He added: “There are series of steps that must be taken by the Nigerian government because an injury to one is an injury to all and injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere; whether it happened in Imo or any state in Nigeria, once you do this to any Nigerian worker, we have the right to fight for that particular person across the nation.

    “If you could remember, the uprising that happened in the Middle East was actually caused by one single individual; that was what caused the crisis in Tunisia and it sprung across the Middle East.

    “The Nigerian president must act. The IGP must act and the time to act is now.”

  • Police, Labour clash likely over sabotage threat in Imo

    Police, Labour clash likely over sabotage threat in Imo

    • NLC plans power, fuel cut in state •’Security won’t allow lawlessness’

    The police and Labour are on a collision course in Imo State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

    As the police prepare to secure the state before and during the poll, Labour has launched an action plan.

    It announced a strike, paralysis of air travel in and out of Owerri, the state capital, and electricity and fuel supply cuts to the state beginning today.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) said yesterday that the measures were their reactions to last week’s attack on NLC President Joe Ajaero and the state’s alleged refusal to pay some workers.

    Police sources said the action plan announced by Labour is “nothing but sabotage which will not be tolerated.”

    A source explained that security would not fold its arms and allow anything to stop the election and thereby create a constitutional crisis.

    “You know what it means to prevent an election from being held to elect the governor of a state. It is a major constitutional crisis in a sub-national entity,” the source, who declined to be quoted, said.

    The source urged Labour leaders to re-examine their plans in the country’s interest.

    NLC and TUC yesterday directed all workers and affiliates to comply with the resolution of the joint National Executive Council (NEC) “wherever they are”.

    Labour and the Imo government have been at loggerheads. 

    Ajaero, who hails from there, threatened to shut down the state. 

    The Imo NLC disowned the protest plan. 

    The state government obtained an injunction against Labour action from the National Industrial Court (NIC).

    Despite the order, Ajaero arrived in Owerri for the “Occupy Imo plan” last Thursday.

    While leading a picketing at the airport, Ajaero was beaten up. 

    The police, thereafter, took him into “protective custody”. 

    Angered by the beating, the two Labour Centres last Friday threatened a nationwide strike after tabling five demands, including the redeployment of Commissioner of Police  Mohammed Barde.

    On Monday, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun redeployed Barde.

    TUC President, Festus Osifo, told reporters after the joint NEC meeting that Labour would embark on strike Tuesday if the issues are not addressed. 

    A communique reads: “The Joint NEC-in-session unanimously condemned in very strong terms the brutal and beastly actions of Hope Uzodimma, his goons and the Nigeria Police.

    “To this end, the joint NLC/TUC NEC-in-session observed that whereas:

    -the decision to embark on an industrial action in Imo was purely in keeping with its earlier resolution.

    “The Imo government under Hope Uzodimma heartlessly continues in its abuse of the rights and privileges of workers in the state viz: refusal to implement previous agreements.

    “The government has repeatedly reneged on agreements, most notably the accord reached on January 9th, 2021, between the government and Organised Labour.”

    Read Also: NLC labouring in politics

    Labour also claimed that outstanding salary arrears remain unpaid, with some workers subjected “to a staggering 20 months of unpaid salaries under the unfounded label of ‘ghost workers’”.

    Labour alleged intimidation and harassment of workers by the statement government, noting that its demands remain unmet.

    The communique added: “Consequently, the NLC/TUC NEC-in-Session resolved as follows: to order the immediate withdrawal of services and shutdown of Imo beginning midnight today (yesterday).

    “All workers and affiliates are expected to ensure compliance from wherever they are. All flights into and out of Imo, fuel supplies and electricity be stopped immediately as applicable.

    “All public and private sector workers are to immediately down tools indefinitely.

    “If our demands are still unmet, workers all over the federation shall join in withdrawing their services by midnight Tuesday, the 14th of November, 2023.

    “All state councils of NLC & TUC and affiliates are by this resolution mandated to ensure full compliance with NEC’s decision.”

    Three killed in Kogi

    Security operatives yesterday killed three persons suspected to be political thugs during a gun duel.

    Kogi Command spokesman, William Aya, said the shootout occurred during a

    search of a building where “political thugs are being housed by political parties.”

    He said the police received credible intelligence on cases of violence in Kogi East Senatorial District.

    Aya said there was an attack on a police team yesterday, during which an AK-47 rifle was snatched.

    He said the special operation was carried out by the police, State Security Service (SSS) the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    “During the cordon and search operation, the team, even after identifying themselves, came under serious gunfire.

    “Three of the political thugs were gunned down and two AK–47 rifles were recovered.

    “Two members of the team sustained gunshot injuries and seven suspects were arrested,” the spokesman said.

    Aya added that raids on hideouts will be sustained ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

  • FG, labour to meet on 15-point MoU implementation

    FG, labour to meet on 15-point MoU implementation

    The federal government will on Monday, October 30, meet with organised labour to discuss the progress made so far in the 15 point Memorandum of Understanding signed which led to the suspension of the indefinite strike planned for October 3, by organised labour.

    The meeting was at the behest of the office of the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila.

    President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, at a briefing on Sunday in Abuja, said the meeting will appraise the progress made by the government in the last 30 days.

    The signing of a 15 point MoU with Labour by the government led to the suspension of the planned strike on Oct 3 by Labour.

    The NLC president said Labour would not attend any meeting with Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong in attendance.

    Last week, the NLC accused the minister of plotting to thwart the agreement reached with the federal government.

    Part of the agreement with the government was the resolution of the crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

    The NLC accused the minister of siding with a faction of the NURTW leadership.

    This has caused a cold blood between the minister and NLC.

    Read Also: €1.2m equipment to be imported for Eko bridge repairs, says Umahi

    Speaking with reporters, Ajaero said: “Hopefully we may meet tomorrow with the federal government all things being equal on their report and template whether all those issues have been met in the last 30 days if that meeting holds without the minister of Labour because he will not be present in any meetings with us.

    “Any meeting the federal government calls today with the minister of Labour and employment that meeting will not hold.

    “You have noticed of late that meetings are no longer called by the minister of Labour because he is not in control. Therefore to depend on him for resolutions on issues about Labour is to waste our time.

    “For tomorrow’s meeting, the invitation we got was from the office of the chief of staff to the president and that is where previous meetings have been held.

    “The current minister of Labour we have has no place in the current industrial relations we are having in Nigeria.

    “On the issue of cng they have launched it. Maybe they are trying to fulfill a part of the agreement we had with them. Tomorrow we will hear from them and see how it goes.”

  • 15-point agreement: quick wins must be met, says Labour

    15-point agreement: quick wins must be met, says Labour

    Labour has said it is monitoring implementation of the 15-point agreement reached with the Federal Government, which led to the suspension of its indefinite strike planned for October 3. 

    Labour said it would review the progress made on the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government by the end of the month. It insisted all the ‘quick wins must be met’ by the government to avert a resuscitation of its suspended strike.

    The Federal Government and Labour signed a 15-point agreement which led to the suspension of its planned strike. This followed threats of an indefinite strike to protest ‘the cost of living’ following the removal of petroleum subsidy. 

    Read Aso: NLC: Lalong thwarting Fed Govt-Labour’s agreement

    President Tinubu, last week however, approved payment of the four months withheld salaries of lecturers. This was one of the items on the 15-point MoU. The president also approved the payment of N35,000 wage award to federal workers. 

    President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Comrade Festus Osifo, speaking yesterday, hailed the president for giving approving the N35,000 wage award, saying Labour was waiting for the implementation. 

    He said: “We are still monitoring the implementation. We will do a holistic analysis at the end of one month as stated therein. The circular for wage award is out, we are waiting for the actual payment amidst other provisions of the MoU.

    “All the quick wins in the agreement must be met. Some of the items are long term.”

    Osifo added said labour was waiting on government on the planned visit to Port Harcourt refinery which is undergoing repair. 

    “They promised to communicate a date to us next week,” he noted.

  • LP will win in Imo, says party chieftain

    LP will win in Imo, says party chieftain

    The Labour Party yesterday said it was sure of winning the November 11 governorship election in Imo state.

    A chieftain of the party, Basil Maduka said he was ready to work for the victory of the Labour Party in Imo State.

    This is as the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh said the party was open to welcoming “estranged members of the party back to its fold.”

    Read Also; Recruitment: Why Customs will follow Federal Character principle, by Adeniyi

    Maduka said he would support the candidate of the party in the forthcoming governorship, Senator Athan Achonu to ensure the party wins the election with a landslide victory.

    He had contested the candidacy of Achonu up to the Supreme Court, which affirmed Senator Achonu as the candidate of the party.

    Speaking with reporters on Wednesday in Abuja, Maduka said he was now supporting the party fully since the Supreme Court had declared Achonu authentic flag bearer of the party.

    He added that he had no business with the Lamidi Apapa – led faction of the Labour Party.

    He said: “I want to categorically state that I am not associated with any faction within the Labour Party, particularly in Apapa. These claims are baseless and are being spread in an attempt to tarnish my reputation and exclude me from participating in party affairs.

  • Idan’s wand and dispelling clouds of Labour’s strike

    Idan’s wand and dispelling clouds of Labour’s strike

    It was another week of victory for Nigeria, courtesy of President Bola Tinubu’s actions and interventions. Though not much of him was seen through the week, much of his actions and deftness could be felt in how he is responding to Nigeria, as its President. The week got started on a note of statutory officiation for him, being the week of the nation’s Independence Anniversary; the President’s duty on such occasions will require him to attend to issues at the heart of Nigeria, at the moment, and probably gift some form of magnanimity to some categories he deems deserving of such act of reasonableness.

    Coincidentally, it was also the week virtually all Nigerians dreaded to see, for the fear of an impending nationwide strike, called by the organised Labour, represented by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC). While attempting a scare spell on the government, the Labour had made some threats that the ordinary Nigerian had prayed never saw the light of the day.

    When declaring its plan to lead Nigerian workers on a nationwide strike, starting from October 3, the organised Labour had warned “it’s going to be a total shutdown … until government meets the demand of Nigerian workers, and in fact Nigerian masses. The federal government has refused to meaningfully engage and reach agreements with organised labour on critical issues of the consequences of the unfortunate hike in price of petrol, which has unleashed massive suffering on Nigerian workers and masses”.

    However,  Jagaban will not allow anyone, whoever they are and whatever place they occupy, to threaten the peace and security of his people. So he waited till his address to Nigerians, in commemoration of the Independence Anniversary, to take his aim at the threat that was giving the man on the streets the chills.

    He spoke to a lot of issues in his speech, but the one that caught the attention of the people most were his responses to the issues that were to shut the system down in a matter of hours. He did not disappoint, he itemized what his administration had started doing, what it will still do and there in the “goody bag” was the item promising the provisional wage increment.

    “I am attuned to the hardships that have come. I have a heart that feels and eyes that see. I wish to explain to you why we must endure this trying moment. Those who sought to perpetuate the fuel subsidy and broken foreign exchange policies are people who would build their family mansion in the middle of a swamp.  I am different. I am not a man to erect our national home on a foundation of mud. To endure, our home must be constructed on safe and pleasant ground.

    Read Also: Labour suspends strike for 30 days

    “There is no joy in seeing the people of this nation shoulder burdens that should have been shed years ago. I wish today’s difficulties did not exist. But we must endure if we are to reach the good side of our future.

    “My government is doing all that it can to ease the load. I will now outline the path we are taking to relieve the stress on our families and households. 

    “We have embarked on several public sector reforms to stabilize the economy, direct fiscal and monetary policy to fight inflation, encourage production, ensure the security of lives and property and lend more support to the poor and the vulnerable.

    “Based on our talks with labour, business and other stakeholders, we are introducing a provisional wage increment to enhance the federal minimum wage without causing undue inflation. For the next six months, the average low-grade worker shall receive an additional Twenty-Five Thousand naira per month.

    “To ensure better grassroots development, we set up an Infrastructure Support Fund for states to invest in critical areas. States have already received funds to provide relief packages against the impact of rising food and other prices”, he said.

    However, these vows and promises did not seem to cut it for the leaders of the organized Labour, the Jagaban had to initiate ‘Step 2’, which involved another round of engagements between government and the Labour. Though you must have caught the idea that the planned strike was stalled because ministers and Labour found rhythm, be informed that it was deeper than that and that President Tinubu took part in the negotiations all the way.

    Remember he had offered N25,000 provisional wage increment for those considered as the least paid when he made his broadcast in the morning? Well it was not enough for the Labour. NLC and TUC wanted something higher and paid across cadres. None of the people involved in the interface with Labour leaders could have singlehandedly agreed to give Labour what it wanted. So how did the President get involved? How did the earlier promise get upgraded into what looks like what Labour wanted?

    On Sunday, October 1, the Chief of Staff to the President, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, who was leading the consultation for that day, was constantly feeding Baba back. At some point, while the meeting was ongoing, Gbajabiamila came out to make a call, discussed briefly with a Labour leader then moved to a corner to make a call that lasted about two minutes. He returned and went back into the meeting room. He was believed to have called his Boss to feel him in on progress at the meeting and got instructed on how to handle a particular knotty development.

    At another point, Gbajabiamila and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, led ministers, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu; and others to take a moment off from the meeting, went into the President’s part of the State House complex to consult with him on the way forward on some of the demands of Labour. A similar pattern was repeated, though not entirely, the next day and at the end of it all, Jagaban, though not seen on the scene, delivered what was required to dispel the dreadful cloud.

    It almost happened, but for one reason or the other, President Tinubu was able to calm the raging storm, which threatened the public’s peace; in case you did not know, many families were already under the weight of the thought of how to prepare for a strike which end was not certain.

    Many have expressed various opinions on how the President managed the Labour issue and they have mostly been praises for him. A particular opinion, which did not stop at hailing the President’s deftness in handling the situation, but also offered a second angle, on how he thinks the organized Labour should be handled some other time, was expressed by Mr Bolaji Lawal, a former banker, businessman/analyst.

    “President Tinubu, once again, demonstrated his rich prodemocracy credential with his handling of the Labour movement. He showed that he is a listening leader that will listen to all strata of the economy, including groups of people opposed to him. We mustn’t forget that Labour is partisan and its intentions will always be suspicious because it is involved in politics. So it is commendable that the President bent over backwards to engage them. It is a sign of uncommon maturity from an African leader.

    “However, we must get the message to the President that he cannot wait for Labour forever and examples abound of leaders, across the globe, taking actions against Labour in the overall interest of the country.

    “The most famous of such leaders was Margaret Thatcher who crushed the Unions in Great Britain in the early 80’s. These Unions made British businesses uncompetitive from the 40’s and this affected the country’s economy adversely. All efforts by successive governments to make them see reasons were met with crippling strikes until the ‘Iron Lady’ Margaret Thatcher, fought them to a standstill.

    “Even though, Thatcher took flaks for her actions at the time, economic historians agreed within a decade (in the 90’s) that her actions were crucial to Britain’s economic recovery. President Tinubu must understand that if needless distractions from Labour continue, he must act in the overall interest of the country.

    “Apart from being partisan and corrupt, solutions proposed by Labour only reinforce its ineptitude and symbolism with the past. Palliatives have never solved any problem in the past and no Nigerian believes palliatives get to the intended recipients, the poor. Neither do salary increments for federal civil servants help the country in any meaningful way because they constitute only a very small percentage of the population.

    “It should be noted that this is part of the Labour movement’s ineptitude over the decades. It focuses only on the federal government, whereas there are other employers of labour like the state and local governments and the private sector. Because Nigeria is a democracy with a federal structure, the federal government cannot compel any of the other employees of labour to whatever it agrees with organized Labour. We must ask Labour what it’s really trying to achieve. A Pyrrhic victory!

    “It is with all of these in mind that the President must be bold (and he had shown this often) in his quest to fix Nigeria, by asking Labour for time, two to three years, so it’s macroeconomic decisions would have had time to trickle down. Agreeing to ineffective measures like palliatives because of the fear of strikes is not the way to go. Rather, the President must insist he should be given time. That is the way to go”, he said.

    Though he was not physically partaking in other events of the week, he was well represented by his number one aide (Vice President Kashim Shettima) and one of such representation was on Thursday at the celebration of the 2023 World Teachers’ Day at the Eagle Square in Abuja. It was Shettima’s voice, but Tinubu’s reassuring promise to teachers that their reward, under his watch, would start from here on earth.

    Another week starts today, the fears and anxiety of a strike ended with last week and we hope to see new moves this week. What those moves will be we will need to wait to see.

  • Agreement with organised labour to cost  Fed Govt N2tr

    Agreement with organised labour to cost  Fed Govt N2tr

    • 89,100 workers likely to miss N35,000 wage award
    • ‘How VAT cut on diesel will affect economy’

    The Federal Government will spend not less than N2 trillion directly on the implementation of the Monday’s pact with the organised labour.

    After a four-hour meeting, an agreement was reached to cushion the petrol subsidy removal pains on federal workers and other categories of Nigerians.

    Highlights of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by government and labour are as follows:

    •Payment of a wage award of N35,000 monthly to federal workers for six months;

    •Allocation of N100 billion for high-capacity Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses;

    •55,000 CNG conversion kits and CNG stations nationwide; and

    •N75,000 grant to 15 million households, payable in N25,000 monthly for three months.

    Government will require N1.125 trillion to actualise the N75,000 grant to 15 million households for three months. The money will lift the living standard of some of the poorest Nigerians as well as pensioners.

    The monthly wage award of N35,000 for about 1.5 million federal workers will cost the government N315 billion over a six-month period.

    Besides, N100 billion will be committed to high-capacity CNG buses for deployment and use of commuters.

    A review of the expenditure plan for 55,000 CNG conversion kits and construction of 84 units of CNG stations nationwide shows that about N400 billion will be invested.

    The estimation is that government will construct two CNG stations per state and the FCT, with 10 additional stations spread across major economic centres.

    Experts, social advocates and other stakeholders yesterday  hailed the agreement and suspension of the strike, noting that the commitments to tangible palliatives will directly boost the economy.

    They agreed that the suspension of the strike would save the economy huge losses. The strike was estimated to cost the economy not less than N50 billion per day.

    The House of Representatives said the decision to suspend the strike was in the best interest of the country.

    Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu said if organised Labour had embarked on  strike, the economy would have been given a rude shock, adding that dialogue between the government and Labour yielded a positive result.

    He also commended the Federal Government for budgeting N100 billion for the procurement of CNG powered buses and CNG kits to kick start the conversion.

    Kalu expressed confidence in the ability of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to engage the productive sector to drive the economic recovery process.

    According to him, the third quarter micro-economic report showed that oil production moved from 1.2 million barrel per day to 1.45 million barrel per day.

    He said though there was an improvement, more still needed to be done while there is need to work in synergy to optimise oil production.

    The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) said the country was able to avert unnecessary disruption.

    Its Director-General, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said there is need for government to fulfill the terms of the resolution, urging the organised labour  to also ensure improved productivity to get the wheel of production going.

    “Employers will continue to insist on, and advocate a peaceful industrial environment as a pillar for economic and national renaissance,” Oyerinde said.

    The NECA DG added that the effects of strike on the private sector were unimaginable.

    Read Also: UPDATED: Tinubu seeks Senate’s confirmation of three new ministerial nominees

    He noted that private sector business was going through a lot to stay afloat.

    “Anything that would compromise our ability to continue to pay salaries I think it should be taken into consideration.

    “ Imagine a business that has borrowed from the banks in naira or dollars, when we go on strike, payment of interest does not go on strike, or payment of tax to government.

    “Workers will also expect to be paid salaries during the period. Strike is not for us as it would further crippled businesses.

    “It would also compound the businesses’ problems and also compound the realities of job security and salaries payment for the employees,” Oyerinde said.

    No N35,000 wage award for 89,100 federal workers

    For not being captured in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), 89,100 federal workers may not benefit from the N35,000 wage award proposed by the President Bola Tinubu administration.

    Investigations by The Nation revealed that the   government, in its determination to eliminate “ghost” workers from its payroll,  is taking compliance with IPPIS very seriously 

    A source in the Presidency said since “the 89,100 federal workers are not captured under IPPIS, they cannot enjoy the largesse that will last for six months.”

    According to him, since the  government knows that 780,000  workers are captured on the IPPIS platform, it will not go ahead to   fund what he called  ”bad behaviour.”

    The source also told  The Nation that the Presidency was in possession of a letter from the Salaries and Wages Commission calling for a meeting to work out modalities for implementing workers’ salaries in the 2024 fiscal year.

    The reply to the letter, he said, was being delayed because the key decision makers like the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun and other stakeholders have to be involved in the negotiations.

    He, however, said the negotiation would be held before the end of this year in order to factor the outcomes in the 2024 Appropriation Bill.

    President Tinubu on Sunday announced the provisional wage increase for all federal workers to minimise the impacts of petrol subsidy removal.

    NLC to press for  N200,000 minimum wage

    THE rising cost of living may push Labour to press for N100, 000 or N200, 000 minimum wage for its members,  Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, hinted yesterday.

    Labour centres – the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) shelved their planned strike Monday night, following a meeting with government authorities at the State House in Abuja.

    Ajaero said the move was to give the government time to fulfill its part on the agreement reached with Labour, adding that the N35,000 wage award – part of the government’s offers – is not a new minimum wage which he said may be up to N200,000.

    “So, it is not a minimum wage but it is a wage added to the minimum wage. So, should we in March, April, or before that time negotiate the new wage to be N100,000 or N200,000, it would be inscribed as minimum wage law which should be the law in existence,” the NLC president  said on a national television yesterday.

    Maintaining that the N35,000 wage award is not an addition to the country’s minimum wage of N30,000, Ajaero said many factors would be considered in arriving at a new minimum wage.

    He said: “Certain things would come into play when we discuss it – inflation, cost of living. Every other thing would come into it.

    “We would not go to ask for N65, 000. We would go for a realistic amount because N65, 000 is about $70 which is not up to minimum wage.”

    According to him, for a new minimum wage to take effect, the National Assembly will play a crucial role.

    “The minimum wage is a product of law. Until it is legislated in the National Assembly, it is not a minimum wage,” Ajaero said.