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Tag: May Day

  • Ganduje replies critics, I am not sleeping but pretending‎

    Ganduje replies critics, I am not sleeping but pretending‎

    Kano State Governor says he is not bowing to blackmailers who said he was not working but sleeping.

    ‎Governor Abdullahi Ganduje stated this during an interactive session with labour unions as part of May Day celebration at the Government House, Kano.‎

    He said that his political opponents could not differentiate between sleeping and pretending.‎

    “My opponents always complain that I sleep at public functions but I want them to try and differentiate between the two.

    ‎”Political blackmail is not an issue to me because I am used to it and will continue to work for the good people of the state,” he said.‎

    The governor’s critics had been accusing him of sleeping in most public functions.

    ‎Ganduje said the ultra modern skill acquisition centre being constructed by his administration would provide employment opportunities to teeming youths of Kano.‎

    The governor said that the state government would continue the development of infrastructure across the state as part of effort to improve the welfare of the people.

     

  • May Day: Workers demand N65,000 minimum salary

    May Day: Workers demand N65,000 minimum salary

    •Abuja rally ends in fiasco

    THE call for pay rise and improved working conditions resonated across the 36 states yesterday as workers marked the 2017 May Day.
    From Lagos to Maiduguri, Kebbi to Akwa Ibom, Ibadan to Minna and Osun to Sokoto, it was the same call– better welfare package.
    The umbrella bodies – Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) – asked employers for a review of minimum monthly salary from N18, 000 to N65, 000.
    Besides, they asked for N25, 000 minimum monthly pension for retirees and special pay package for workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
    In Abuja, the workers protested the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Eagle Square.
    The protest marred the celebration, preventing the presentation of the President’s goodwill message.
    In the message, the President promised that the report of the Main Government/Labour Committee on Mimimum wage and palliatives will be fully implemented.
    Trouble started when the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment, Mrs. Biola Bawa, was invited to read the address of the Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige.
    The invitation was rejected by the workers with a thunderous ‘No’. They said Ngige must read his own address.
    The drama continued for a while with the workers refusing appeal from NLC and TUC presidents Ayuba Wabba and Bobboi Kaigama that the workers allow Mrs. Bawa to address the rally.
    Attempts by former Edo State governor and former NLC President Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to calm down the workers who took over the podium, also failed.
    The minister read his address.
    Some of the workers noted that if the President could not attend the rally, he should have sent the Vice President and not the minister.
    The shout of ‘go back to your seat’ by the NLC and TUC leadership with a loud chorus of ‘no’ by the workers was deafening.
    Many of the workers sat in their stands to watch the development which lasted for over one hour. A few of them went round the square, chanting “no marching, no marching”.
    The workers who had become tired of what was going on began to leave the Square. Guests left the arena through the security exit and the rally ended in confusion.
    As many of the workers made to leave the arena, the protesting workers took over the podium chanting “we don win, we don win”. An attempt by security operatives to force them out of the podium almost resulted in violence.
    Some of the workers also blocked the police patrol vehicles deployed in the area, prompting security reinforcements to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.
    Dignitaries at the rally, including Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara and representative of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), among others, left the venue through the back door .
    Ngige attributed the protest to infiltration of the venue by non-workers and the factionalisation of the labour union.
    The minister, however, assured that promotion and transfer allowances of workers would be paid in the third quarter of the year. He restated the governments commitment to the welfare of the citizenry, including the workers.
    A few unions that were left after majority of the workers had left, observed the traditional march past before leaving the square.
    The President assured workers that his administration would implement the recommendations of the main government/labour committee as it relates to the new minimum wage and palliatives to cushion the effect of the harsh economy.
    Admitting the hardship being faced by Nigerians, Buhari promised that the government will do all within its power to better their lot by providing a commensurate welfare package.
    He said the recently launched Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) was designed to restore economic growth as a result of the challenges of the past two years.
    He said: “I am aware of that the economic recession the country found itself at the beginning of the year has huge implication for the seamless conduct of industrial relations.
    “This arises from the fact that economic recession by its nature is usually characterised by a substantial risk of the vicious circle of low productivity, mass retrenchment of workers and closure of work places due to high cost of doing business, unregulated subcontracting and outsourcing with its attendant consequences on welfare of workers, among others.
    “I strongly believe that the effective deployment of labour relation, which is an amalgam of approaches, could be used in creating a conducive work environment that would attract direct foreign investment for wealth and job creation.
    “Therefore anchored on our shared understanding of our predicament, government, workers and employers can work together to pull out our economy from this recession. I call on organised labour to partner with this administration by resorting to social dialogue as an indispensable tool for conflict resolution.
    “Today’s (yesterday’s) event reminds all of us of the great sacrifice and contributions the working class has made and continues to make towards wealth creation in the overall interest of our national growth.
    “As a responsible and labour-friendly government, my administration will continue to accord high priority to the welfare of workers irrespective of whether they are in the formal or informal sector of our national economy.”
    Buhari praised organised labour for its solidarity towards the fight against corruption which, he said has been the bane of sustainable development .
    Buhari said: “My administration’s commitment to the fight against corruption is irreversible. We must fight corruption before it destroys us. I therefore call on organised labour to join hands with us in ensuring that workers imbibe the new doctrine of honesty, transparency, accountability and probity in doing government business.
    “By our collective resolve and determination, we shall eradicate corruption from our society and the worker should be in the forefront of activities in the realisation of the whistle-blowing policy of this administration.
    “The economic recovery and growth plan of this administration is specifically developed for the purpose of restoring economic growth following the challenges experienced in almost two years of our administration that resulted in negative growth.
    “I am confident that with your support and cooperation and the strong determination of my government to ensure its full implementation, the three broad strategic objectives which include restoring growth, investing in people and building globally competitive economy will be fully realised.
    “The government will give expeditious consideration to the proposal contained in the technical committee report on the new minimum wage and palliatives and government will take necessary steps to implement the final recommendations of the main government labour committee as it relates to the setting up of the new minimum wage committee and the needed palliatives in order to reduce the discomfort currently being experienced by the Nigerian working class.

  • Welfare, forgiveness, others dominate on May Day

    Welfare, forgiveness, others dominate on May Day

    The Ogun State government yesterday announced the pardon of three of the remaining four workers earlier dismissed for acts that were in flagrant disregard of the civil service rules.

    Announcing the pardon in his address at an elaborate ceremony to mark the May Day, Governor Ibikunle Amosun said: “The dismissed workers are pardoned, they will now proceed on retirement from the public service with full terminal benefits in accordance with the extant public service regulations.”
    Those affected by the pardon are Dare Ilekoya, Eniola Atiku and Nola Balogun.
    In arriving at this decision, the governor acknowledged the mediatory roles played by the national leadership of the labour unions, particularly the Comrade Michael Alogba-led Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT); the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and elders, such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo and respected traditional rulers.
    The governor added that, “the pardon does not apply to Mr. Akeem Ambali because, unlike the other three, he had approached the law courts to challenge his dismissal from the civil service. While all parties await the outcome of litigation, as a responsible and law-abiding administration, we cannot be seen to have taken any action on a matter that is already before a court of competent jurisdiction. That will be subjudice and an affront to the independence of the other arm of government.”
    The governor reiterated that in the spirit of the May Day celebrations, the state government has also pardoned a section of the workforce that unlawfully stayed away from duty in the month of October 2016 and has therefore paid them for that month.
    A section of the workforce embarked on strike action in October 2016 and the state government evoked the ‘no work, no pay rule’ in response.
    The governor added that the state government, in its characteristic manner of always placing the interest of its workforce on the front burner, has ensured the payment of April 2017 salaries to all categories of workers before the end of the month.

    KogiStaff screening: Kogi offerssoft landing to erring workersFrom James Azania, Lokoja Over 2,000 Kogi civil servants found to have erred during the staff screening have been granted pardon by Governor Yahaya Bello.
    Bello extended the offer to 11 out of 44 various offences committed by some of the workers in the state.
    Addressing stakeholders yesterday at the Government House Lokoja, the governor said: “Truly, the screening exercise passed through a turbulent journey, but the state government was able to end the exercise and has achieved a wonderful and resounding result”.
    He said the decision of the government to pardon some of the workers who erred and could have otherwise faced outright dismissal from service, was to reassure the people of the state that the screening was not aimed at down sizing the work force or to witch hunt anybody.
    Bello disclosed that those who benefited from the pardon were 350 staff of the state government, who absented themselves from work for part time studies and the NYSC programme without approval, adding that the certificates obtained by the affected workers will not be recognised by the government.
    He noted that 771 civil servants erred in areas of disparity in their date of birth between the declaration of age, primary school certificate and West African School Certificate, stressing that they have been pardoned, but the earlier age used at the point of entry into civil service will be the accepted.
    According to him, “102 staff are affected by the use of non accredited certificates. This certificates are only required for proficiency and not for career provision, which is again against the service rules. They will be graded accordingly.
    “16 teachers are culpable of employment or secondment to miniseries, departments and agencies where their experience are not being utilized. This category, we offered them pardon but they should be transfered back to the classroom for efficiency”.
    Also to benefit from the amnesty, said Governor Bello, are 43 workers found wanting in improper the area of career advancement and promotions, as well as 103 staff who lack the requisite academic qualifications upon which staff promotion were premised.
    The governor disclosed that 325 workers of the state indulged in multiple statutory declaration of age, adding that the offence is punished by dismissal, but government has pardoned them, as their age at the point of entry into the service will be deemed.
    He added that 336 staff that have attained the mandatory age of 60 years, yet remained in the service, stressing that this category “supposed to be dismissed from service”, but however declaring that they were pardoned but that the funds they earned during the extra years will be deducted from their gratuity.
    He directed the Commissioner for Finance, the Accountant General, the Acting Head of Service and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to compute the financial implications of those granted amnesty and pay them before the end of the month.

    Bayelsa
    Dickson to workers: don’t
    be agents of destabilisation
    From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa
    Workers in Bayelsa State celebrated the May Day yesterday in low key with many of them boycotting the event.
    Their activities at the Peace Park, Yenagoa, the venue of the event, were, however, monitored by heavy presence of security operatives.
    The operatives comprising policemen, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Security Services (DSS) were combat-ready to forestall possible breakdown of law and order.
    It was learnt that the security personnel following fears that workers could go violent to protest unpaid salary arrears and alleged poor working condition in the state.
    The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the state threatened to commence a three-day warning strike Tuesday (today) if the government failed to pay their nine and half month salary arrears.
    Civil service unions were obviously unhappy when they marched past and saluted Governor Seriake Dickson, who was represented by his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd).
    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in a joint statement lamented economic hardship of workers in the state following a backlog of salaries.
    The Chairman, NLC, Mr. Bipre John Ndiomu, the chairman of NLC, who read the joint address, urged the government to use the second tranche of the Paris Club disbursement by the Federal Government to settle all salary arrears.
    He said: “Congress call on government to note that payment of salaries is a frontline charge and should be given more consideration than any project.
    “Primary school teachers have suffered untold hardship since 2016 to date. Further neglect of the sector will hamper the good intentions of the government in the educational sub-sector as that is the bedrock of the foundation of quality education”.
    He listed other concerns of labour as non-payment of gratuities since 2013, weigh-in allowances of media workers, lack of attention and funding to the state-owned New Waves newspaper, deplorable state of infrastructure at the College of Health Technology in Otuogidi and the Jasper Isaac Boro College of Education in Sagbama.
    In his response, Jonah said the government was looking into all the demands of workers in the state.
    Also, the Bayelsa State government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, advised members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), and other workers not to allow themselves to be used by the opposition to destabilise the polity.
    He said the opposition was trying to capitalise on the issue of salaries of primary school teachers to compel workers to revolt against the government.
    Obuebite said the present administration in the state held its workforce in high esteem, especially teachers, adding that, it would do everything within its powers to make life more meaningful for workers.
    But he regretted the present situation, where teachers and non teaching staff at the primary school level were not at par in salaries with other workers at the state level.

    Ondo
    Akeredolu to pririotise
    workers’ welfare
    From Damisi Ojo, Akure
    Ondo State Governor Olurotimi Akeredolu yesterday reiterated his determination to priortise the welfare of workers in the state.
    He saluted the courage of public servants in the State who, in spite of the economic downturn characterised by backlog of unpaid salaries still continue to carry out their legitimate duties.
    Akeredolu, who spoke at the May Day rally in Akure, the state capital, described the development as clear display of patriotism and resilience which has resulted in the achievements recorded by the state so far.
    According to him,“ all over the world, the worker is recognised as the most important factor of production and also considered as a veritable tool of government for impacting the citizenry and bringing about positive change and socio-economic development.”

    Osun
    Aregbesola to workers:
    you shall not labour in vain
    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday promised workers that their sacrifice and commitment to stability of the state would not be in vain.
    Aregbesola, in the statement by the Director Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said the government was well-acquainted with the sacrifices they have made under the grueling economic condition the country is going through.
    According to him, government had at the inception taken care of workers’ welfare because of the its belief that it is through this and the cooperation of the workers that a virile state can be jointly built.
    The governor commended the workers for the resilience and understanding they have displayed with the government in this crucial times, saying his administration is “sentistive enough to recognise their contributions especially in the face of the economic crisis foisted on us certain modalities for the payment of salaries, pensions and other welfare packages.”
    He averred that the economic impasse the country and the world is going through affected the majority of the states’ capacity to fulfill some of their statutory responsibilities.
    He said: “We must express appreciation for the rare sensitivity of the umbrella body of the workers, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), in putting off this year’s celebration in our state as a mark of honour for the memory of the first civilan governor of the state, our own brother, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, who unfortunately and suddenly exited this world on Sunday April, 23, 2017.
    “The Labour Day has coincided with the state burial. The pains and pangs of his sudden death are still with us. May the peace of Allah be with him in his final abode of rest.
    “We remember with nostalgia, how this administration, at inception, showed ample commitment to the welfare of its workforce.
    “We could not have done less for we hold tenaciously to the belief that it is only through the commitment and cooperation of our workers that we can realise the very noble objectives for which we are here as government.
    “More than six years, we have no reason to doubt that our workers have been dependable partners in our development journey so far.”

    Rivers
    Wike assures civil servants
    of regular payment of salaries
    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has assured workers of the prompt payment of their salaries and emoluments.
    Addressing workers during the May Day celebration at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt yesterday, Wike said that workers welfare would always be placed on the administration’s front burner.
    The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Kenneth Kobani, said: “In this period of economic difficulty, we remain committed to fulfilling all pledges made to our workers.
    “Let me reassure our workers that salaries and emoluments of workers will remain a top priority of my administration “.
    He stressed that issues of workers welfare are given priority by his administration because he believes that the workers are contributors to the development of the state.
    “I recognise the role of workers in the development of our state. They will always get benefits of working for the state “, Wike said.
    He informed them that there are plans to have a robust engagement with labour leaders to address requests presented by labour.
    Wike urged them to participate fully in the activities to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the state.
    The Chairman of the Rivers Council of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Beatrice Itubo, lauded Governor Wike for his regular payment of salaries and emoluments.
    She also commended r Wike for his execution of key projects across the state. The NLC chairman also pleaded with the governor to continue to prioritise workers welfare.
    Also speaking, the Chairman of Trade Union Congress, Comrade Austin Jonah, said that priority attention given to workers welfare should be sustained by the administration.

    Delta
    Okowa urges workers
    to join anti-graft war
    From Okungbowa
    Aiwerie, Asaba
    Delta Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has urged labour unions to join in the fight against corruption in the public service to entrench good governance.
    He said his administration was committed to a highly skilled, merit-driven and integrity-based public service.
    The governor who spoke yesterday in Asaba, Delta State at the annual May Day celebrations said apart from ensuring a public sector that is professionally-driven; his administration is committed to zero tolerance for corruption.
    He said: “As encapsulated in the Delta State Medium Term Development Plan, we are irrevocably committed to the creation of an effective, efficient, highly skilled, merit-driven and integrity-based public service.”
    Continuing, “Our goal is to build a public sector management driven by professionalism, projects performance and zero tolerance for corruption because, that is the only way we can entrench good governance in the polity and needless to say, we need the support and cooperation of the labour movement to make this goal a reality.”
    The governor commended Nigerian workers, especially, those in Delta State for their dedication to duty which have contributed in building Delta State from its inception in 1991, stating, “Through your belief, sacrifice and labour, we have made great progress as a state.”
    He, however observed, “as we gather here today, the Nigerian worker, like all other citizens, is confronted with economic adversity; more and more families are finding it harder and harder to stay afloat as the recession bites harder and inflationary trend continues; the current scenario poses a serious challenge to government and other employers of labour to keep workers motivated, happy and satisfied.”
    According to him, “Our administration has made the welfare of workers a top priority, while working to ensure better relations between the private sector and the government.”
    Okowa said: “It is in recognition of the unique role that workers play in delivering government policies and programmes that from the inception of this administration, we made the payment of workers’ salaries, the first line of charge.”
    He maintained that his administration from inception, has not tampered with allocations to local government councils in the state, and assured that, “when our economy improves, we will continue to assist the Councils because, it is unfortunate that our brothers and sisters in that tier of government are being owed salaries; for transparency, we included NUT and NULGE in our Joint Accounts Allocation Committee meetings,”
    Okowa assured Deltans that his administration would continue to create job opportunities despite the creation of more than 20, 000 jobs within two years of his administration.
    He urged workers in the state “to continuously uphold and strengthen the values of honesty, commitment, transparency, fiscal discipline, and excellence in service delivery” to enable his administration actualize its ambitious growth plans.
    The Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Michael Nwobodo, called on the Federal Government to step up actions in checking security challenges in the country, observing that despite recession ravaging the country, government has been consistent with the payment of salaries and staff emolument.
    The Chairman of NLC in the state, Comrade Jonathan Jemirieyigbe, thanked r Okowa for making himself available to the organised labour, asserting that the Governor has been very friendly to the organized labour.

    Imo
    Okorocha lifts embargo
    on promotion
    From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri
    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday announced to a cheering crowd of workers that the state government will lift the embargo on promotion as soon as it concludes the ongoing verification of workers.
    He said the state government would like to be furnished with the status of those to benefit from the promotion exercise.
    Okorocha, who spoke while addressing the workers in the State during the Workers’ Day celebration at the Hero’s Square, urged them to appreciate all his administration has done for the workers since 2011 when he assumed .
    He reminded the workers that they are the greatest beneficiaries of the free education programme in the State, noting that “there is no more pressure on the workers or on their salaries for the payment of School fees of their children and wards especially when the free education policy is from Primary to tertiary Institutions”.
    The governor also reminded the workers that he was the first to pay them N20,000 minimum wage against the approved N18,000 minimum wage.
    He also disclosed that in line with his vision to enhance capacity building for workers, the government is building ICT centres at the state secretariat and local government headquarters to enable them become Computer literate.
    Okorocha added that the government has concluded arrangement to recruit more than 3000 fresh graduates who are Computer literate into the Civil Service to make the System vibrant, regretting that more than 90 percent of the workers are not Computer literate.
    He assured that he would continue to dialogue with the leaders of the Labour Union in the State to ensure that the harmonious relationship his government enjoys with workers continues, adding that he would remain committed to the welfare of the workers in the State.
    In his speech at the event, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Austin Chilakpa, called for one hundred percent review of the agreement the Labour leaders had with the State government sometime ago over the payment of Salaries, stating that the Labour leaders would continue to demand that, until it is done.

    Abia
    Kudos for Ikpeazu over
    bailout funds, Paris refund
    From Ugochukwu
    Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia
    The Abia workers have commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for the judicious way he has handled the bailout funds and the Paris Club refund.
    The commendation was made by state chairman of the state council of the Nigeria Labour congress (NLC), Comrade Uchenna Obigwe and his Trade Union Council (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Christopher Okpara, on the occasion of the 2017 workers Day celebration in Umuahia.
    The workers also lauded the governor for the unprecedented level of infrastructural development being carried out by his government and urged him not to relent and ensure that it gets to all parts of the state.
    Ikpeazu thanked Abia workers for their support, hardwork and sacrifice which he said is responsible for the achievements he has recorded in office and implored them to partner his government to record greater accomplishments.

    ASUU laments poor
    conditions of facilities
    From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan
    The Chairman Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) University of Ibadan chapter, Dr Deji Omole, has lamented the poor condition of facilities prevailing in public universities in the country.
    He said there was nothing to celebrate going by the deplorable conditions of laboratories, and the suffering of lecturers in the public universities.
    The union urged the Federal Government to address the shortfall of personnel cost and other obligations in public universities.
    Dr Omole, in a statement in Ibadan, noted that the present administration has adopted “Maradona style” in meeting the agreements it signed with the union in 2009 and 2013.
    He accused the Federal government of playing politics with the retirement interest of university lecturers.

  • Labour urges FG to inaugurate committee on minimum wage

    The Nigerian labour movement has called on the Federal Government to accelerate the inauguration of the Tripartite Committee for the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage for workers in the country.

    The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Ayuba Wabba, and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Mr. Bobboi Kagama, made the call while reacting to the fallout of the May Day celebration on Monday in Abuja.

    Nigerian workers had expressed anger and disappointment at the non-implementation of the minimum wage thereby disrupting the 2017 May Day celebration.

    Wabba said the constitution of the tripartite committee was imperative as the economy was not friendly to workers.

    He said workers have today expressed their sadness because many of them have not received their salaries, adding that it was a demonstration of anger on the situation in the country.

    “The challenges workers are passing through are enormous, workers have expected that either the President or the vice president would have been present at the rally to respond to workers yearning and anticipation,” the NLC president said.

    “Workers attitude today have shown that it is an accumulation of anger, and that the economic situation is biting very hard on them as many of them cannot pay their bills.

    “They also expected that the minimum wage will receive accelerated attention and that the pronouncement will be made here but the case is otherwise.”

    Kaigama said the leadership of NLC and TUC sympathised with workers over the current hardship in the country.

    NAN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

  • Photo: Fayose’s outfit on May day

    Photo: Fayose’s outfit on May day

    The Workers’ Day in Ekiti State which took place inside the main bowl of Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti recorded poor attendance as many workers stayed away from the event.

    Related Post: Hunger in Ekiti Civil service: I will pay if… – Governor

    A side attraction was Governor Ayodele Fayose’s appearance at the annual gathering of civil servants.

    See photo below:

  • Hunger in Ekiti Civil service: I will pay if… – Governor

    Hunger in Ekiti Civil service: I will pay if… – Governor

    There was a drama at this year’s May Day celebration in Ekiti State on Monday when workers demanded payment of their salaries.

    The state workers are owed six months arrears while local government employees have not been paid for seven months.

    The workers shouted “salary! salary!! salary!!!” as Fayose was rounding off his address.

    Some of them shouted: “Osoko, we are hungry.”

    But Fayose replied: “I can only pay your salaries when I get cash backing from Abuja. At times, we get cash backing three weeks after we held FAAC meetings.”

    The governor’s explanation dampened the morale of many of the workers who had expected a favourable answer from him.

    This year’s Workers Day which took place inside the main bowl of Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti recorded poor attendance as many workers stayed away from the event.

    The leadership of the state chapters of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) decorated Fayose as “Comrade Governor.”

    Fayose declared that the representative of the Minister of Labour should not be allowed to address Ekiti workers in 2018 Workers’ Day.

    He predicated his position on the alleged failure of the Federal Government to redirect the country’s economy to jack up allocations to the state.

    The governor said only the Head of Service, Gbenga Faseluka and state labour leaders would be allowed to address the rally, saying the federal government lacks the moral right to address the state workers for failing to fulfil its obligations.

    The state NLC Chairman, Ade Adesanmi, urged Fayose to pay their outstanding salaries, saying “the non-payment has come to a point where we have to open up, in fact, we are hungry.”

    The NLC chief urged the governor to expedite action on workers’ promotion and ensure payment of pension and gratuities.

     

  • Mixed reaction trails May Day celebration

    As Nigerian workers marked Workers’ Day on Monday, mixed reactions have continued to trail the celebration across the country.

    In Katsina, no fewer than 500 youths took to the street in solidarity for the President Muhammadu Buhari’s war against corrupt practices.

    From Katsina Government Reserved Areas and Round-About to the Emir of Katsina’s palace in the centre of the city, the youth held rally, wielding placards with inscriptions to discourage corruption.

    The spokesmen of the Amalgamated Youths for Good Governances, Peace and Development, Abdullahi Aliyu, the organisers of the rally said in Katsina that the aim was to condemned corrupt practices in its totality in the country.

    “We shall continue to support Baba Buhari anti-corruption campaign in order to liberate Nigeria from corruption,’’ he said.

    “The president cannot fight the corruption war alone, we have to support him with all our heart to win the battle,’’ he said

    In Zamfara, the government said that it would employ 1,000 holders of the National Certificate of Education (NCE) before the end of this year to address the problems of inadequate teachers in the primary schools in the state.

    Gov. AbdulAziz Yari of the state made the announcement while speaking at the 2017 May Day celebration in Gusau.

    He said the occasion came at the right time when the negotiations between state government and leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state over workers rights had gone far.

    “The state government will pay all workers outstanding promotions and annual increments in this month of May.

    “The state government had also reached agreement with the labor union to pay N100 million monthly for payment of gratuities to retired civil servants.

    “We have agreed to form a committee that will review the issue of pension to ensure attainment of the minimum wage on pensions,’’ he said.

    He commended the labour union in the state over their cooperation and understanding with the state government to address workers rights.

    Similarly Gov. Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State urged workers to rededicate themselves to the values of commitment and understanding which had ensured industrial harmony in the state.

    He reiterated his commitment toward advancing their course to enhance productivity and urged them to continue to show understanding in the quest for welfare of their members.

    According to him, any industrial unrest will compound the economic situation of the state and the country.

    Ambode promised to build a secretariat for the union and assured the workers that the proposed plan to phase out the yellow coloured commercial buses in the state would not lead to job losses.

    On minimum wage, the governor disclosed that negotiation had begun.

    Mr Idowu Adelakun, Chairman NLC and Mr Francis Ogunremi, Chairman, Trade Union Congress, nonetheless, highlighted the need for a special adviser on labour matters.

    They also appealed to the governor to ensure that the increase in Internally Generated Revenue impacted positively on civil servants.

    NAN reports that the workers defied the downpour on Monday and engaged in the march past in enthusiasm.

    In another development, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Kwara, Alhaji Hakeem Lawal, has commended the dedication and perseverance of Nigerian workers in the face of the economic crisis facing the country.

    In his message to Nigerian workers on the occasion of the Workers’ Day in Ilorin on Monday, he commended the workers for their understanding during the hard time Nigeria was facing.

    “I call on Nigerian workers to redouble their efforts in bringing the country out of the present economic recession,’’ he added.

    The PDP chieftain advised both Federal and state governments to always give priority attention to welfare of workers in the country.

    “Government should compensate Nigerian workers as soon as the nation’s economy improves because they have paid a lot of prize and sacrifice for the country during this recession,’’ Lawal said.

  • May Day: Workers’ struggles and hope

    May Day: Workers’ struggles and hope

    The first of May, unlike any other day, is one set apart to celebrate the dedication and consistent spirit of workers around the globe; in this case Nigerian workers.  Out of respect for the day, governments around the world declare it a work-free day.

    Going back to historical antecedents, workers day was promulgated by the International Workers Congress in Paris to commemorate the struggle of all workers for better conditions. It was originally an eight hours work-free period, unlike the 24-hour ‘largesse’ we enjoy today.

    In Nigeria, May Day was first declared by the People Redemption Party (PRP) of Kano State in 1980. It became a National holiday on the first of May, 1981 during Shagari’s administration.

    During the celebration, the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, governors, and other dignitaries in Nigeria address the Nigeria workers, especially with respect to some issues bordering on workers welfare, remuneration, nationhood, etc.

    Till this time, workers have continued to demand for their rights from the government and management of organizations alike; their rights to decent wages, opportunities for training and development, and a safe and congenial working environment – these remains in the front burner for labour and its representatives.

    Also issues such as retirement packages, access to fringe benefits such as medical care, housing, transportation, soft loans etc., and compensation plans in case of injuries and accidents on or during work is also a major concern for labour.

    Regardless of the sundry challenges bedeviling the emancipation and evolution of labour, it is important that labour unions sustain their efforts without colourations of partisanship and politics to see that the Nigerian worker is translated from the dark valleys and alleys of stagnation to the joyous daybreak of material and economic prosperity.

     

     

  • May Day: Labour,NECA disagree on minimum wage review

    May Day: Labour,NECA disagree on minimum wage review

    As workers celebrate yet another May Day, labour and the private sector are not on the same page on the calls for a review of the minimum wage from N18,000 to N56,000, TOBA AGBOOLA reports 

    Massive depreciation of workers’ purchasing power. Job losses. Unpaid salaries. And general high cost of living. These are issues on the top burner as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the May Day. For the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), there must be an upward review of the N18,000 minimum wage. The organisation believes increasing the wage to N56,000 will cushion the effects of a struggling economy.

    The Technical Committee for Palliatives and Minimum Wage submitted its report a few days ago. The tripartite committee has representatives of the Federal Government, the state governments, labour and the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA).

    Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige said the Federal Government was working towards a new minimum wage for workers to enhance workers’ welfare and comply with the Minimum Wage Act.

    NLC President Ayuba Wabba Wabba told The Nation that in pushing for N56, 000 minimum wage, labour looked at all the issues.

    He said: ‘’Our opinion is also that workers have been pushed to the wall; so, it’s time for the minimum wage to be reviewed both in law and practice because the cycle is due and inflation is biting very hard, high cost of goods and services is affecting workers seriously.’’

    “What is the value of N18, 000, when it was signed, looking at inflation, purchasing power and ability to pay?”

    “We have been reasonable in making such demand and we hope that other social partners will look at it from the perspective of us being very committed and nationalistic in putting up those demands.”

    Wabba said while those dismissing N56, 000 minimum wage as unreasonable were entitled to their opinions, the reality was that workers could not feed themselves because of the high cost of goods and services.

    He said: “The essence of the new minimum wage is to make sure that the poor or the poorest of the worker is protected against exploitation; that the minimum is within which no employer of labour can go below. Many workers are being exploited. Many workers are being paid below N10, 000 and those are the issues we want to address.

    “Everybody has the right to his or her opinion, but the opinion of the workers is that a review of the minimum wage is legitimate both by law and practice. Five years cycle is legitimate. Many workers cannot send their children to school, many cannot pay their rent and many cannot even go to work regularly.”

    Wabba added that an upward review was imperative in view of the fight against corruption.

    He warned that workers should not be treated as slaves, as companies are still making profit.

    He said it is necessary for the Technical Committee for Palliatives and Minimum Wage to negotiate  a comprehensive minimum wage to avoid hitches.

    According to him, despite the opposition by NECA, NLC is sure that stakeholders would all support a new wage for workers who had all along been treated as slaves.

    He said: “We need to be very forthcoming in doing what is right. In other quarters, if you listen very carefully, they are talking about ability to pay. I thought what labour did was to be very calculative. Not only that, to look at the feasibility, because it doesn’t make sense that at the end of the day we will have difficulties.

    ‘’So, we have looked at the totality of the issues, including the challenges we are going through at the moment and we thought that what we have done is reasonable because what we have done is to look at what is the value of N18, 000 when it was signed looking at the inflation, looking at the purchasing power and looking at the ability to pay.

    “I think we have been reasonable in making such demand and we hope also that other social partners will look at it from the perspective of us being very nationalistic in putting up those demands. I still want you to understand that workers presently cannot feed themselves because of the high cost of goods and services.

    ‘’As I said everybody has the right to his or her opinion, but the opinion of the workers is that it is legitimate by law and practice.

    “Many workers cannot send their children to school, many cannot pay their rent, and many cannot even go to work regularly. Side by side with fighting corruption, if you don’t pay me to meet up with my bills we can’t fight corruption.”

    The national leadership of Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) also expressed its commitment to actualise the review for all workers.

    RATTAWU National President  Kabir Garba believes the clamour for the increase is as a result of the purchasing power parity of the naira against the dollar.

    According to him, the new minimum wage will serve as a benchmark for the union to ask for the enhanced Media Salary Scheme.

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) condemned the call for the removal of the national minimum wage from the exclusive list to the concurrent list by the House of Representatives.

    TUC, in a press statement by its President, Bobboi Bala Kaigama, described the bill as a calculated attempt to alter the constitution from the back door.

    “Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has strongly condemned the call for the removal of the minimum wage from the exclusive list to the concurrent list by the House of Representatives, in a bill being sponsored by one of its members.

    “Congress sees this in a bad light and an attempt to alter the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from the back door. For the umpteenth time, it needs to be emphasized that labour rather than politicians have held this country together even from colonial days,” Kaigama said.

    The congress warned that any attempt to openly or surreptitiously undermine workers or the labour movement would be resisted with all arsenals in their control.

    As for the United Labour Congress (ULC), it is N96,000 or nothing. The Northern Coordinator of ULC, John Gimbason reiterated the union’s demand for N96,000 minimum wage for workers in the country.

    Gimbason said the proposal was realistic considering the current inflation in the nation’s economy and in view of workers’ contributions to nation’s building.

    He said the new Labour Centre had opened negotiations with the Federal Government on the proposed N96, 000 minimum wage, assuring members that the proposal would soon yield fruits.

    According to him, while workers are over burdened with lots of responsibilities, they receive stipends as monthly salaries, even as some others do not receive their wages for months.

    He appealed to the 25 unions under the ULC to give their maximum cooperation to ensure that workers in both public and private sectors were treated well.

    The Lagos State Chairman of the ULC, Ephriam James, in his inaugural speech, said the council would ensure that workers in the state were liberated to earn salaries they deserve.

    He said the Union would engage the state government and other employers of labour in dialogue to ensure they arrived at agreements to improve welfare of workers.

    James assured that whatever decision taken at the national level would be replicated in the state, especially with regard to wages.

    He called for support from members and 25 affiliated unions that formed the ULC not to compromise on the issue of minimum Wage.

    Some of the affiliated members of ULC included Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Nigeria Union of Mine Workers, National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Employees (NUBIFIE), Nigeria Union of Rail Workers (NUR), National Union of Lottery Agents and Employees, (NULAE), Association of Nigeria Aviation, Professionals (ANAP) and National Association Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Welfare, Ali Wakili, urged the Federal Government to increase minimum wage to enable workers cope with prevailing economic situation in the country.

    He said that while minimum wage had remained at N18, 000, prices of goods and services had continued to rise. According to him, the development has made life unbearable for many Nigerians, particularly workers.

    Although the lawmaker commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s effort at repositioning the economy, he said the government had not fared well in workers’ welfare.

    He, therefore, called on the government to make tackling challenges facing workers a priority. He added that the government should endeavor to create an enabling environment for the workers to feel the impact of any increment in wages.

    “We need to address underlining issues to make the increase felt by the workers. Without an enabling environment, the increment will be an exercise in futility because they will not feel it. Prices of goods in the market are very high; healthcare facilities are not available and where they are available, workers pay through their noses.

    “Once we are able to address these things, the wage increase will be meaningful to everybody. We can do the two side-by-side; while we are addressing the wage issue, there should also be an enabling environment,’’ he said.

    President, National Union of Chemical Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Methallic Products Employees (NUCFRLMPE), Goke Olatunji, said workers were finding it hard to survive, saying Buhari should make the payment of new minimum wage a priority.

    According to Olatunji, government should implement the wage without allowing it to cause inflation in order for it not to lose its relevance.

    “The present N18, 000 minimum wage is not able to buy anything from the market. We want the government to increase it but it should not lead to inflation.

    “Federal Government should ensure that the states and private sector should be able to implement the policy when an agreement is being reached,” the union president said.

    He said the workers have borne a lot of pain because of the economic recession and needed to be compensated.

    Olatunji said business activities during recession made the economy unpleasant for workers and employers.

    “Before, companies such as Unilever Plc will give workers products, provide transportation and send at least 100 people to the stadium for the celebration of May Day.

    “But now, the company will give money to hire a bus and send 25 to 50 workers to the rally; that is the reason for celebrating workers day this year in a low key,” Olatunji said.

    He said if the economy does not improve, workers welfare will be retarded and urged the government to formulate policies that will bring relief to workers and ensure that it is well-implemented.

    However, against the backdrop of the economic hardship in the country, the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has urged the  Nigerian workers to wait till 2018 before pushing for the review of the Minimum Wage.

    Speaking with The Nation, NECA President Larry Ettah said the state of the economy cannot support any increase in wages.

    He notes that though it is quite clear that there is need to increase the minimum wage, but he says the timing is wrong.

    “Given the depreciation in the value of the Naira as well as inflation currently at 18.6 per cent, a strong case can be made for raising Nigeria’s minimum wage. Not an issue of whether, but when?” he said.

    He says most state governments find it difficult to pay the N18,000 minimum wage while several private companies have closed down in the last one year.

    He said: “Given that such restructuring may not be expedient in this period of recession and rising unemployment, our recommendation is that a review of the minimum wage should be deferred until the economy has resumed strong growth and public sector finances have improved.”

    For the workers, however, there is no retreat, no surrender. Until they get their dues, they say the struggle continues.