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Tag: Leo Nkah

  • Ebonyi NLC commends Buhari for signing N30,000 Minimum Wage Bill

    The Nigeria Labour Congress, Ebonyi Chapter has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the N30,000 new minimum wage bill into law.

    Ebonyi NLC Chairman, Mr Leo Nkah, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, said Buhari has proved to be a caring leader.

    NAN recalls that Buhari on Thursday signed the N30,000 new minimum wage bill already passed by the National Assembly.

    Nkah called for quick release of the minimum wage table to enable workers receive the new pay as quickly as possible.

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    Nkah, who is also, the President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ebonyi Chapter, expressed the hope that state governors would not hesitate to pay the new wage to their workers, since it was a collective agreement.

    He also commended the national leadership of organised labour for their doggedness throughout the negotiation for the new national minimum wage.

    Nkah stressed the need to continue the fight especially at the state level, to ensure that states adopt salary table released by relevant government agencies.

    NAN

  • NUT opposes handover of payment of teachers’ salaries to LGCs

    NUT opposes handover of payment of teachers’ salaries to LGCs

    The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), says the union is opposed to handover of payment of primary schools teachers’ salaries to the local government councils.

    Mr Simon Ozo, Ebonyi NUT Chairman, stated this on Monday in Abakaliki in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    According to him, the union’s opposition to the planned handover of payment of teachers’ salaries to local government administration is hinged on the Supreme Court decision, which granted payment of salary of primary school teachers to states.

    “There is need for the Federal Government to respect the 2012 Supreme Court’s judgment on the responsibility of state and federal governments to primary school education in Nigeria.

    “The plan if allowed to sail through will pose serious threat to the foundation of education in Nigeria, and every genuine and bold attempt must be made by education loving Nigerians to rescue and save primary education from imminent collapse.

    “We do not want the payment of salaries of our primary school teachers to be joined in the autonomy that will be granted the local government.

    “The Supreme Court made it very clear that the management of primary school is in the hands of state governments and we stand on this verdict.

    “We don’t know why anybody in his right thinking senses will want primary school teachers’ salaries to be joined with local government areas.

    “We know the excesses of our local government chairmen and their administration, they will not remember the teachers, they will prefer to marry new wives, build new houses, buy new cars and take care of their girl friends rather than pay our salaries.

    “This is why the union is opposed to the plan and as teachers we say, have your autonomy, but allow our salaries to come from state governments or let it go through Universal Basic Education Commission direct so that we receive our salaries promptly, “Ozo added.

    He said that the protest which took place on June 22 in Ebonyi, also took place in other parts of the country.

    Mr Leo Nkah, the President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ebonyi Chapter,who spoke on the issue, supported the NUT’s position.

    Nkah said that the teachers only want to secure their future, stressing that they were not against local government autonomy.

    Nkah, who is also the Acting Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC ), Ebonyi Chapter, noted that the local government councils were saddled with the payment of teachers’ salaries.

    He stressed that it should not be so, adding that the local government council were required to participate in the payment of teachers’ salaries.

    Nkah said that any constitutional arrangement should ensure that this participatory clause is respected.

  • Ebonyi NLC hopeful Umahi will set aside N1bn for pension, gratuity

    Ebonyi NLC hopeful Umahi will set aside N1bn for pension, gratuity

    Mr Leo Nkah, Acting Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ebonyi Chapter, says he is hopeful that Gov. Dave Umahi will set aside one billion naira for the settlement of pensions and gratuities as he promised.

    Umahi, during the 2017 May Day celebration in Abakaliki, had promised to set aside the sum for payments of pensions and gratuities.

    Nkah spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He recalled that the governor had promised that N500 million would be for retired local government workers and N500 million for retired state workers.

    “In the promises he made, some of them were time bound; some that were immediate, we have already started seeing the results.

    “At least, the issue of promotion has been lifted, suspension of the pension law is in effect.

    “The return of the money deducted under the (suspended) pension scheme has been effected.

    “The ones that are yet to be done, he (governor) promised to do, the delay was because of technical issues.

    “And the environment is already conducive for the governor to do more.

    “I believe that all will be done in accordance with what he promised and all we demanded during the May Day.’’

    Nkah, who is also State President, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, said that Umahi was favourably disposed to the workers’ welfare.

    “But what happened was that he assumed office in a period of recession and took a little hard stand when it came to the payment of salaries and other allowances.

    “Also the knowledge level of those who should have explained to him some things that were statutory were lacking then.

    “ But currently the governor is disposed to taking care of most pressing areas the workers are pointing at, that he should look into.

    “He is well disposed, it is just for us to be on our toes and continue to press him.

    “I know he will do most of the things, if not all the things we asked for, he is better disposed now than before.’’

  • New Ebonyi NLC leadership assures workers of purposeful leadership

    The new leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ebonyi has assured workers that the union would protect their interest and insist on enhancement of workers’ welfare.

    The Acting Chairman, Mr Leo Nkah, spoke on Thursday in Abakaliki at a pre-May Day Rally, with the theme: : ‘Repositioning NLC for enhanced workers’ benefit.’
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalls that Nkah became the acting chairman following the removal of Mr Ikechukwu Nwafor, who was accused of abuse of office and financial related offences.

    Nkah said that the purpose of the rally was to interact directly with the members since the inception of his administration.

    He also said that the event was mainly to interface with workers and intimate them on what to expect from the new NLC leadership.

    “Since the change of leadership in NLC, all that people have been hearing are through third party medium.

    “We decided to use the rally to interface with workers, talk with them and give them hope on what we can achieve from the state government, that has not been possible before now,” Nkah noted.

    Nkah assured workers of rapid response and implementation of their welfare shortly after Easter celebration.

    Gov. David Umahi, on his part urged workers to exercise patience as his administration was committed to enhancing their welfare.

    Umahi, represented by Mrs Grace Chukwu, Senior Special Assistant on Labour Matters, promise to review workers’ needs such as salaries, leave allowances and promotions.

    “We will review workers’ salaries, leave allowance and promotion; government requires workers’ patience, ” he noted.
    Members of the affiliate unions of NLC participated in the rally.

    Some of the members carried placards with inscription affirming the support to the new NLC leadership.

    Some of the placards read: “ Nkah is our hero,’’ “No more exploitation of workers,’’ Thank God we are out of Egypt,’’ among others.

    NAN further recalls that Nwafor was removed after a State Council Meeting of the NLC.

    A communiqué issued after the meeting accused Nwafor of failure to account for all monthly stipend and subventions received on behalf of the congress from the state government and other sources on money.

  • Ebonyi NLC hopeful of peaceful resolution of contributory pension issues

    Mr Leo Nkah, the Acting Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ebonyi Chapter, says Gov. Dave Umahi has promised to ensure smooth resolution of issues concerning the newly introduced Contributory Pension Scheme.

    Nkah, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, said that the governor gave the assurance when the new NLC leadership paid him a courtesy visit.
    NAN recalls that deductions were made from workers’ salaries following the passage of the Law on Contributory Pension by the Ebonyi House of Assembly.

    He said that the governor was intimated about the leadership change in NLC, in which Nkah, the President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Ebonyi Chapter, was elected acting chairman.

    NAN recalls that Nkah emerged Acting NLC Chairman, following the indefinite suspension of the incumbent Chairman, Ikechukwu Nwafor, over alleged financial misappropriation and gross misconduct.

    He said that the governor was told that the change followed due process, as it was carried out in line with NLC constitution.

    Nkah said that the union emphasised the need for greater co-operation between the government and labour in order to boost the welfare of workers and promote good governance.
    He said that the governor gave an assurance that issues concerning the new pension scheme already passed into law by the Ebonyi House of Assembly would be resolved.

    “The governor pledged that a 14-man panel of labour/government will be set up to review all issues that concern the pension law recently passed by Ebonyi State House of Assembly.”

    Nkah expressed optimism that the governor would fulfil the promise, noting that till date, “it is on record that Ebonyi is among the states not owing workers’ monthly salaries.

    “Workers in Ebonyi public and civil service are paid within the month.

    “He gave the instruction that workers must be paid within the month and he ensures the directive is carried out.

    “The promise to resolve all issues surrounding the new pension scheme will not be an exception.”

    Nkah also solicited the support and co-operation of the state workforce to the state NLC.