The Nation Newspaper

Tag: minimum wage

  • Minimum wage: Hope brightens for workers

    Labour has scaled the first hurdle in its quest for a N30, 000 minimum wage. The committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari has upheld its position.

    For workers, it was cheery news. Yesterday, the Tripartite Committee on Nation Minimum Wage upheld Labour’s demand for  N30, 000 for the least paid worker. President Muhammadu Buhari, who received the committee’s report at the Villa in Abuja, pledged his commitment to the recommendation.

    The Ms. Ama Pepple-led committee comprising the government (federal and states), Labour and Organised Private Sector (OPS) proposed N30, 000 in its report to the President.

    The President promised to send a New Minimum Wage Bill to the National Assembly after presenting the proposal to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the Council of State (CoS).

    He warned workers against being used as political tools.

    The presidential endorsement came after Labour shelved its planned nationwide strike over the matter to ensure its amicable resolution.

    The submission of the report was a relief for labour leaders, who had hectic time selling their position to the federal and state governments.

    The Federal Government proposed N24, 000 and the states, through the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) N22, 500.

     

    MAN, LCCI react

     

    On the heels of the recommendation, MAN’s

    Director-General Segun Ajayi-Kadir said the association was in full in support of the implementation of a new minimum wage notwithstanding the difference in the operational modes of the private and public sectors.

    He, however, said the implementation of a new minimum wage will be difficult for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs). Ajayi-Kadir said it will be easy for bigger enterprises as many of them have been paying higher.

    He said: “Some chief executives of MSMEs may not be able to take home N30, 000 monthly. How much more their staff? They may adopt some model which may not be favourable to their workers as they can resort to inviting some layers of staff only when they are needed.

    “In our advocacy we have consistently complained that our warehouses are stocked with low consumer apathy. The new wage will put money in the hands Nigerians”.

    He said the OPS will be looking forward to stability in the labour force.

    LCCI Director-General Muda Yusuf who said the private sector has been paying above the minimum expressed the fear that the Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) may not meet up with the wage increase.

    He said: “There may be different challenges for the SMEs as they may adopt different models for engagement. Rather than keep all their staff, they may rationalise them by only inviting those that they need at a particular time. The big corporations have nothing to worry about as they are already paying the minimum wage.”

    He commended the government for working successfully with the private sector and labour to arrive at an acceptable figure and averting crises.

     

    Labour unions hailed

     

    The Ebonyi State chapter of the NLC commended leaders of the various labour unions for their resilience in the struggle for a living wage for workers.

    State chairman Leonard Nkah described the successful negotiation of a new wage by the leadership of organised labour as a demonstration of good virtues and strength of character.

    He, therefore, called on other relevant authorities to expedite action to get the new wage passed into law to enable Nigerian workers to enjoy a living wage.

    Nkah said: “The organised labour in Ebonyi just ended its meeting this (yesterday) morning, whereby we extolled the virtues and strength of character exhibited by our national leadership, including the TUC, ULC and NLC.

    “We commended them for holding on tenaciously on the new national minimum wage until government came around to accept what had earlier been agreed upon.

    “So, we are very happy and we praise the leadership of organised labour in Nigeria for being undaunted in the struggle.”

    He opined that once the new national minimum wage was signed into law, that state governors were bound to pay.

    His words: “Once the new figure is signed into law, nobody not even the governors, has the powers to say that they cannot pay.

    “Anybody who refuses to pay will be going against the law and we don’t envisage that any governor will refuse to pay the new wage once it is signed into law.

    “In our own state, the governor has stated his willingness to pay once any amount is agreed upon. Once it comes out, organised labour in various states will approach their various state governors for implementation.

    “So, we are hopeful and we are not being negative that governors may not pay the new wage once signed, but if it happens we will rise to the occasion.”

     

    Buhari: we’ll transmit Executive Bill to National Assembly for passage

    The President’s remarks after receiving the National Minimum Wage Report from the tripartite committee yesterday at the State House in Abuja.

    On 27th November 2017, I inaugurated the National Minimum Wage Committee with a mandate to recommend a new minimum wage for workers.

    This exercise became necessary for many reasons. The last review took place in 2011. We all know since then, the prices of key consumables have increased and the most vulnerable of our workers are struggling to make ends meet.

    Since 2011, many changes have taken place. Nigeria rebased its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to become the largest economy in Africa. We reported very strong GDP growth rates and exceptional performance of our capital markets.  However, these reported successes did not flow into the pockets and homes of majority of Nigerians.

    In the last three years, we focused on correcting this deficiency. We are working to create a diversified and inclusive economy. We are pushing to clear pension arrears owed to our retired workers with the limited resources available to us.

    We supported state governments to pay workers salary. And of course, we set up a committee in order to review the minimum wage of workers.

    In constituting this committee, we took into account the need for all stakeholders to be adequately represented – the government, the private sector and most importantly, the workers. Our goal was to get an outcome that was consensual.

    From the outset, we knew the committee had a difficult task ahead of it. But at the same time, we were also confident that the patriotic and professional background of its members would produce realistic, fair and implementable recommendations that will be considered by both the executive and legislative arms of government.

    I am not surprised that the committee has worked for close to one year. I am also not surprised that on a few occasions, the debates got heated and sometimes, these differences came out.

    What is truly inspiring is that, in almost all instances of disagreements, the committee members always came back to the negotiating table with a common goal of improving the welfare of workers.

    On behalf of all Nigerians today, I want to thank you for your commitment and sacrifice in getting us to where we are today.

    In the past few days, I have been receiving regular updates on your deliberations. And today, I am pleased that you have completed your work in a peaceful and non-confrontational manner. The entire nation is grateful to you all.

    The committee chairman highlighted some of the challenges encountered during your deliberations, especially as it relates to having a consensus position acceptable by all parties.

    I understand, on the government side, the concerns raised were around affordability – that today many states struggle to meet their existing salary requirements.

    On the side of labour, the points raised focused on the need for any increase to be meaningful.

    In a way, both arguments are valid. I want to assure you all that we will immediately put in place the necessary machinery that will close out these open areas. Our plan is to transmit the Executive Bill to the National Assembly for passage within the shortest possible time.

    I am fully committed to having a new National Minimum Wage Act in the very near future.

    Let me use this opportunity to recognise the leadership of the Organised Labour and private sector as well as representatives of state and federal governments for all your hard work. The fact that we are here today, is a notable achievement.

    As the Executive Arm commences its review of your submission, we will continue to engage you all in closing any open areas presented in this report. I therefore would like to ask for your patience and understanding in the coming weeks.

    May I therefore, employ workers and their leaders not to allow themselves to be used as political weapons.

     

    The tripartite committee

    The Tripartite National Minimum Wage Negotiating Committee had its membership drawn up from the public sector (federal and state governments); Labour (NLC, TUC and ULC); the private sector (the largest private employer group – the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry Mines & Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Nigerian Association of Small & Medium Enterprises (NASME).

    The panel, which was inaugurated by the President at the Council Chamber of the State House Villa in Abuja on November 27, last year 2017, was chaired by Ms. Pepple, a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF) and one-time Housing Minister. Labour & Employment Minister Chris Ngige was named as deputy chairman and the Chairman of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, Chief Richard Egbule, as secretary.

    In his remarks at the inauguration, President Buhari said: “Government’s decision after considering your final recommendation will be sent as an Executive Bill to the National Assembly for it to undergo appropriate legislative scrutiny before passage into law.

    “As is evident by the membership of the committee, state governors and private sector employers are part of this process. This will ensure ease of implementation of a new minimum wage nationwide.

    “I am hopeful that the principles of full consultation with social partners and their direct participation would be utilised by the committee, bearing in mind the core provisions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Minimum Wage Fixing Convention No. 131 and Minimum Wage Fixing Machinery Convention No.26 (ratified by Nigeria).

    “Accordingly, conditions of genuine social dialogue should prevail in the spirit of tripartite and collective bargaining agreements. I, therefore, enjoin you all to, collectively bargain in good faith, have mutual recognition for each other and always in a spirit of give and take.”

    Besides Ngige, other representatives of the Federal Government are: Budget & National Planning Minister Senator Udoma Udo Udoma; Finance Minister Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; HoCSF Mrs. Winifred E. Oyo-Ita and the Permanent Secretary (General Services) Office, Office of the SGF, Dr. Roy Ugo.

    The NGF was represented by governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun, Southwest); Rochas Okorocha (Imo, Southeast); Hassan Dankwambo (Gombe, Northeast); Nyesom Wike (Rivers, Southsouth); Simon Lalong (Plateau, Northcentral) and Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi, Northwest). The NGF’s Forum’s Director-General A. B. Okauru, was an observer status.

    On the trade union side, are: NLC President Ayuba Wabba; Peters Adeyemi (NLC); Kiri Mohammed (NLC); Amechi Asugwuni (NLC) and Peter Ozo-Eson (NLC), the TUC was represented by Bobboi Bala Kaigama (President); Sunday Olusoji Salako; Alade Bashir Lawal; Igwe Achese and Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) president.

    On the employers’ side were: NECA’s Director-General Olusegun Oshinowo; Timothy Olawale (NECA); Chuma Nwankwo (NECA); Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) Director-General Mrs. Olubunmi Adekoje; Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) Kaduna East branch Chairman Ahmed Ladan Gobir; Francis Oluwagbenro (MAN); NACCIMA Kano branch President Hajia Muheeba Dankaka and NASME President Degun Agboade.

    According to its mandate, the panel was billed to conclude its work and submit its recommendation to the Presidency for onward transmission in form of an Executive Bill to the National Assembly for ratification in the third quarter.

  • Jubilation in Kano over N30, 000 minimum wage

    It was jubilation galore for workers at the Katsina Road secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the ancient city of Kano on Tuesday, following the recommendation of the payment of N30, 000 minimum wage, after meeting of the tripartite Committee in Abuja that led to the immediate suspension of the proposed nation-wide strike.

    The Kano chapter leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the United Labour Congress (ULC) gathered at the secretariat where they urged workers in the ancient commercial city to go back to work as they await timely enactment and implementation of the proposed N30, 000 minimum wage.

    Addressing a Press Conference at the secretariat, NLC chairman in the state, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, noted that the struggle was not yet over as he prayed for speedy implementation of the new minimum wage, so as to put smiles on workers faces.

    According to him, “there are still several bridges to cross before the new minimum wage becomes law and implemented. It is our collective commitment and dedication that has made the progress so far possible.

    “We need to stand ready in a state of full mobilization in case future action becomes necessary to push for the timely enactment and implementation of the new minimum wage. As such, I therefore call on all our members to immediately report back to their duty posts.”

    Minjibir commended the national leaderships of NLC, TUC and ULC, “for standing firm on the decision of the Central Working Committee and their resilience to protect the interest of Nigerian workers, especially at this trying period.

    “We appreciate equally, our partners in the struggle—the Civil Society Organizations, student unions, Keke NAPEP associations, market men and women, our labour veterans, security agencies, members of the Press, religious leaders and all well-meaning members of the public who identified with us during the struggle.”

  • Labour, FG strike new minimum wage deal, to be revealed Tuesday

    Labour leaders, who have called off a planned nationwide strike, have agreed a new national minimum wage at the end of negotiations with a Tripartite Committee, set up by the Federal government.

    The agreed figure will be kept under wraps until 4.15 pm on Tuesday, when it will be revealed in a report to be presented to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, spoke to newsmen at the end of the Tripartite Committee meeting on the new National Minimum wage meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said the National Minimum Wage Negotiating committee has concluded its assignment and agreement has been reached and also documents have been signed.

    “The report will be submitted to Mr President by today and therefore, having reached this position, the Organised Labour also decided that the proposed strike is hereby suspended.

    ” Therefore, we thought this should be communicated appropriately without also divulging this information as mutual agreement has been reached,” he said.

    Ms Amma People, Chairman of the Tripartite Committee also noted that the assignment of the committee has been concluded.

    “We are going to present our report to Mr President today at 4:15 ,pm and he will reveal the figure that we have recommended, ” she said.

    Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary of the Government of the Federation commended members of the committee for their time and commitment on the processes of recommending the new minimum wage.

    “I am confident that government will give expeditious consideration of the report when submitted tomorrow to Mr President. And very soon the processes will be put in place to truly actualise your recommendations so that the status of our working populace will be enhanced and they would receive appropriate and commensurate payments for the services they offer to our nation and to the different sectors of our economy, ” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the organised Labour had threatened to commence nationwide strike on Nov. 6 over government rejection of a N30,000 minimum wage. Government offered N24,000, which labour also rejected.

  • Breaking: Labour Suspends nationwide strike

    The planned nationwide strike by the labour unions over a new minimum wage has been shelved for now.

    The strike was scheduled to start on Tuesday.

    Labour leaders, government representatives and organised private sector spent many hours on Monday to reach a consensus on a minimum wage.

     

    Details later…

  • Minimum wage: Court refuses to compel govt to pay N30,000

    *Directs plaintiff to deposit court documents at each state’s governor’s lodge in Abuja

    The National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja has declined a request to compel both Federal and state governments to immediately commence the process of adopting N30,000 as the new national minimum wage.

    Justice Sanusi Kado, in a ruling on Monday, also refused a request for a fresh order restraining the organised labour from proceeding on its planned strike, commencing on Tuesday.

    Justice Kado, whose ruling was on an ex-parte motion by a group, Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International (KHRFI), noted that since the court made a similar order on November 2 this year, restraining the organised labour from embarking on strike, a fresh order was unnecessary.

    The judge also noted that since parties to the dispute over a new minimum wage were still in the process of negotiation, it was unnecessary compelling a party to the ongoing negotiation to agree to an amount.

    Justice Kado had, on November 2, granted an ex-parte application argued, on behalf of the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), by the Solicitor General of the Federation (SGF) for among others, an order restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) from engaging in the planned strike.

    At the commencement of proceedings on Monday, lawyer to KHRFI, Nnamdi Okere informed the court about the motion ex-parte he filed along with originating summons. He prayed the court to grant the prayers contained in ex-parte motion. He made efforts to distinguish his motion from the one the court granted on November 2.

    But Justice Kado noted that the orders of interim injunction sought by the applicant could only be granted where there was no urgency; there was the need to preserve the subject matter of the dispute and the defendants could not be served.

    The judge noted that since the court, on November 2, granted an order stopping the strike, there was no longer any urgency and as such, it was not necessary to compel the government to start the process of adopting the N30,000 as the new national minimum wage.

    In view of the judge’s observation, Okere withdrew the first two prayers, leaving the one for substituted service of the court processes on the 36 state governors, which the judge granted and directed that the court documents should be deposited at each of the state governor’s lodge in Abuja.

    Defendants in the suit, marked: NICN/ABJ/286/18 are The President, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Minister of Labour and Productivity, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, and the National Assembly.

    Others are NLC, TUC, the United Labour Congress (ULC) and the governors of the 36 states listed as the 10th to the 45th defendants.

    The plaintiff, in a supportive affidavit, noted that “negotiation between the government and the organised labour according to the NLC has been concluded and a new minimum wage of N30,0000 agreed by the parties”.

    The plaintiff urged the court to hold that “in view of the economic realities, hardship and pauperised squalor living condition of Nigerian masses, the payment of the paltry sum of N18,000 monthly national minimum wage to the lowest category of workers in Nigeria is adequate to take care of an average worker and his family”.

    It also asked the court to hold that the N18,000 regime was not reasonably justifiable in a democracy society “if juxtaposed with huge, excessive, outrageous and disproportionate salaries, emoluments, allowances, impress and arrears paid to the political office holders, and heads of governments agencies and parastatals.

    The plaintiff contended that “should the organised labour shut down the entire nation on November 6, 2018, including health sector, it will deny many poor Nigerians access to healthcare, especially those on emergency/accident unit, pregnant women on antenatal and those on post-natal, and will result to avoidable death of many innocent lives.”

  • Minimum wage: Bagudu appeals to NLC to shelve strike

    Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, has called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliate unions to shelve its scheduled strike in the interest of the citizenry.

    The governor made this call in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Dakingari, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.

    He urged the workers to await the report of the tripartite committee on minimum wage and President Mohammadu Buhari’s decision on the wage increase.

    “I want to assure the Nigerian workers at all levels of the government’s readiness to promote their welfare. The government is willing and ready to do everything possible to uplift workers’ welfare,’’ he said.

    Read Also: El-Rufai elevates Esu Chikun to first class chief

    The statement said that Bagudu left Birnin Kebbi for Abuja this morning to partake in the 12th meeting of the tripartite committee on the National Minimum Wage.

    The committee is expected to finalise deliberations and submit its report to Mr President.

  • Minimum wage, challenges and reality

    The nation is about to witness labour unrest over the new demand for wages. There have been divided opinions on the desirability of the labour demands. One thing that no one cannot deny is the fact that the current workers pay is actually far from meeting the economic reality in Nigeria. The Federal government for political reasons could not openly refuse or reject the labour demands. More so as the election is just about few months away. To bluff off the labour groups will amount to political harakiri. It is obvious that government is weary and lacking in financial capacity to meet the N35 000 per month minimum wage.

    Before  Hassan Summonu President of the Nigerian Labour Congressc(NLC) in 1978 there was no Structured minimum wage for workers.

    The most popular Udoji pay package of 1975 was not regarded as a structured  minimum wage because it was not negotiated by workers representatives. Good as the Udoji award was it was the beginning of the exodus of farmers from the rural areas to the urban cities; when those that were stark illitrates went for messenger jobs and security guards.

    This same salary award also marked the death of the artisans as majority of them migrated to the urban cities to become motorcycle riders for banks and other corporations.  By the time economic downturn came they became the city-frustrated-okada  riders. Even some of them turn to robberies when they could not make ends meet.

    When in 1981 the Political leaders raised their pay the NLC  called for N300  per month minimum wage. When the Shagari administration refused the NLC went on strike which was led by Comrade Hassan Summonu  before it was agreed for N125 per month.

    . Another negotiation came in 1989/90   when Comrade Pascal Bafyau was the labour leader. It is  interesting to note that  Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole was delegated to conclude the negotiations at the end of the day N250  was later agreed upon.

    When Comrade Oshiomhole became the NLC president another round of agitation came in 2000 -2001 and eventually minimum wage was increased to N5,000 and N7,500  civil servants and for oil workers respectively. By the turn of NLC president Abdulwaheed Oma in 2008 the minimum wage was increased to N 18,000.

    The Governor of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola in his submission held that there is a difference between wage and salary. According to him wage is what is earned per hour and salary is what is eared per annum which is usually paid in arrears monthly  or weekly. Governor Aregbesola then stated that minmum wage should not apply across board. Minimum wage essentially should be applicable to the most vulnerable section of workers whose income is so low as to sustain them.

    He further averred that ” a good way to determine minimum wage should be to index it to the average income derivable from the predominant economic activity in an area, and that  ” in an agrarian environment where the staple crop for instance is maize, we can compute minimum wage with the annual yeild of a single farmer if he works alone.”

     

    Can Nigeria afford new wages?

    In 1999, the workers ought to have enjoyed  free and compulsory education,  free health services for all citizens, better transport services and infrastructure development. But nothing of such came to them. Instead

    Politicians were busy increasing their salaries and allowances at the expense of the people that fought for democracy. The workers Union themselves fell into the hands of political leaders through divide and rule tactics. The NLC became factionalised. This eventually gave birth to Trade Union Congress  (TUC). The days of Summonu and Oshiomhole where governments were fought to stand still , even the stubbornness of Kokori that made General Sanni Abacha to suffer sleepless night could not be replicated.

    It was alleged that labour leaders now enjoy  the comfort of corridorsof power where they were settled with “Ghana -must-go bags ” at the detriment of the workers they represent.

    These days that the reality have dawn on all  the labour leaders,  and hunger is even affecting some of them ; they now resort to their original call- service to humanity, demanding for N65,000 minmum wage.

    Do we need a prophet to tell us that the government of the day cannot afford such amount. The almost comatose economy   is not healthy enough to meet the workers demand.

    Rising poverty

    Last Wednesday marked International Day for Eradicating of Poverty.

    China lifted over 500 million  people out of poverty in 30 years.

    The feat is not limited to  China alone with its 1.3 billion population  but India has liberated 271 millions of her nationals from poverty  in 10 years.

    Rwanda after its post civil war experience has done similar feat taking a high percentage of the citizens out of poverty.  Botswana  achieved same  feat  despite the fact that they cannot be considered  with Nigeria in terms of economic power and mineral resources.

    But in Nigeria  poverty is on the rise on daily basis.

    The number of the poor in Nigeria  has increased by 1000 percent  from 9 (nine )million  in 1960 to 87 million in 2018. According to the  Brooklyn Institutions,  six Nigerians slide to poverty every minute.

    We must  focus on wealth creation if we are to change the narratives. If on the other hand, we play to the gallery by the distribution of social allowances and stipends to farmers and traders as loans, we are likely to sink deeper into poverty and penury in a very short distance time.

     

    Dangers ahead

    With general election few months away there are ominous signs of  dangers.

    First, there is report of withdrawal of N435.41 billion  from the Stock Exchange  between January and July. This no doubt revealed that our economy is yet to recover fully from recession.

    The report reaching us was that there is foreign Capital flight. Yemi Kale of National Bureau of Statistics   said the economy is still struggling to survive.

    Hunger is looming and possibly ravaging some communities in Nigeria  according to Food and Agriculture Organisation  (FAO) The organisation has since issued warning to Nigeria ahead of the food shortage

    The United Nations,  The African Development Bank  and the British Prime Minister, Theresa May,  have described Nigeria as the global poverty capital.

    AFDB, average that 80 percent of our population are living in extreme poverty.

    2.3 million people in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe are facing acute food shortages due to insurgency. Nigeria is one of the 37 countries in the world that is in need of external foods assistance. But despite these information at the disposal of the power that be, can one ask what concrete measures are in the pipeline before the disaster strikes?

    Aliko Dangote has been careful in words and in deed not to dabble into politics, yet he warned that investors  ” were being scared  from Nigeria  because of its insecurity , particularly kidnapping, Most of the people that own large farms  on the Kaduna-Abuja Road have abandoned their farms due to the menace of kidnapping ” he said.

    So was US Report in 2017 Crime & Safety – Abuja as serious risk crime centre that their nationals should be careful of.

    If the government feel workers should take to farming to augument their wages, but the challenge facing farmers are numerous  such as the absence  of water for irrigation and sanitation in Nigeria generally. These have negative impact on their productivity.

    Poor rural roads  and high cost of transportation, harvest  rot on the farms before getting to the cities . Minister of Agriculture,  Chief Audu Ogbeh  raised alarm that Nigeria will not be able to produce enough rice next year to feed its people.

    Uncontrollable flooding has been destroying crops in Edo, Delta, Kogi, Kwara, Kaduna,Niger, and Bayelsa.

    In 2017, and 10, 000 farmers crops were washed away by flood. So the low income earners if the status quo is maintained they may not be able to purchase necessities of life with their current minimum wage due to the fact that little goods available may be too costly beyond their reach.

    Our oil are no more patronized by India who now turned to US for oil. For long even US has not been consuming our oil. We are now roaming the global sea looking for customers that will purchase our oil a total departure from the past experiences.

    Consequently,  we keep borrowing from external bodies and nations to the extent that there is alarm from  experts cautioning us against future loans. But it appears our economic advisers are not borrowing leaf from other nations that have survived economic recession and today are doing well. A little examination of how country like Portugal rebounded from recession could be of encouragement to us.

    Portugal rebounded from recession with 3.2GDP  and youth unemployment rose to 40 percent using bailouts and policies to reduce tax and stimulate consumer demand.

    Spain also rebound with one million jobs created and industrial production jump by 5%. Nigeria need adaptive policies to stimulate production job creation, and exports.

    While liberalising the rail sector we can take away the four refineries from government management.

  • Minimum wage above N22,500 will lead to inflation, says group

    The Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness yesterday appealed to organised labour to accept the N22,500 being offered as minimum wage by state governors in the overall interest of the country, saying shutting down the country will only have negative effect on the already suffering masses.

    Director General of the centre, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel, who said he was speaking for a coalition of over 79 civil society organisations, said anything above the figure being offered by the governors will lead to inflation.

    He added that the burden of paying salaries is on state governments, saying it is one thing to agree but another thing to be able to pay, based on the prevailing economic situation in Nigeria.

    He said it is also the responsibility of Nigerian workers to ensure that the economy of Nigeria does not collapse.

    He said: “As a coalition of civil society organisations, therefore, who are mindful of the degree of commitment of the average worker in Nigeria, we hereby call on the organised labour, NLC, TUC, etc, as the true, patriotic citizens of Nigeria they are, to please reconsider the N22,500 as realistic and achievable in order to avert an imminent collapse of the economy and possible retrenchment of the workforce.

    “The primary responsibility of any government is beyond salary payment. Consequently, today, the 2nd day of November, 2018, may we also advise that embarking on another national strike action or a boycott of the 2019 general election, which is tantamount to disenfranchising the entire nation’s labour force, is notonly anti-democratic but will also be counterproductive to the Nigerian state.”

    The coalition urged the labour union to see reasons with government, especially at the state level, in the onerous task of nation building and sacrifice for their fatherland.

    “Several states still owe salaries not because the individual governors do not want to pay but because resources available to individual states and the internally generated revenue (IGR) vary from one state to the other.

    “The federal government cannot also compel states to pay specific amount as minimum wage because the infrastructural, educational, health, etc needs of each state also vary.

    “Now, the tendency is that if states are compelled by any form of legislation to pay some specific amount as minimum wage, then the states might resort to the only available option to retrench the work force. This option is what the states are consistently trying to avoid because of the prevailing economic condition.

    “The Nigerian economy is already over-burdened with very high recurrent expenditure which is sourced abroad via borrowing. Our economy is hemorrhaging seriously.

    “The IMF has warned Nigeria on the possible consequences of excessive borrowing. We can further worsen this situation via a unilateral increase of wages, thus causing a Cash-Push and Make-Up type of inflation.

    “Wage increase right from the Udoji Award is known to be a major cause of inflation. The life wire of our economy is hinged on crude oil sales. Today, the price of crude is no longer what it used to be.”

  • Minimum wage: Court stops workers’ planned strike

    Organised labour  appears bent on proceeding  with its planned strike next week despite an ex-parte order yesterday by the  National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) restraining  it from stopping working across the country.

    The three labour centres – Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress of Nigeria ( TUC) and the United Labour Congress ( ULC) – insisted at  a meeting of their joint central working committee in Lagos that there is no going back on the Nov. 6 proposed strike over non-implementation of N30,000 minimum wage.

    Justice Sanusi Kado, in a ruling against the NLC and  TLC), restrained  them  from proceeding with their planned strike, pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunctions  filed by the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

    Justice Kado equally restrained the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Governors Forum (listed as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants) from acting in ways capable of adversely affecting the workers.

    The judge said he was moved to granting the ex-parte application argued by the Solicitor General of the Federation (SGF), Dayo Apata, because of the likely devastating effect of the strike on the country, its economy and the people.

    The ruling was on an ex-parte application filed on November 1 this year by the Federal Government and the AGF. Respondents in the application are the NLC, TUC and Incorporated Trustees of the Governors Forum. The suit is marked: NICN/ABJ/287/2018.

    Apata had, while arguing the application, noted that negotiations were still ongoing among stakeholders, including representatives of workers and employers, with a view to reaching amicable resolution of the disagreement over labour’s call for a new minimum wage regime.

    He drew the court’s attention to the negative impact of such a national strike, being planned by labour, on the nation’s economy and its people.

    Apata noted that the country has just come out of recession and could be returned to that state if members of the labour unions were allowed to carry through their threat to shut down of the country.

    In their supporting affidavit, the applicants, stated that “negotiations between the government and the organised labour on a new minimum wage was still ongoing and not concluded.

    “Further deliberations are needed to arrive at the desired consensus figure that will be generally acceptable as the new national minimum wage.

    “The 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory are major employers of labour and need to be carried along in arriving at a consensus national minimum wage.

    “The 1st and 2nd respondents have failed to issue appropriate notices or complied with extant legal provisions for the increment of minimum wage before announcing their planned strike.

    “The Federal Government of Nigeria has no issue or disagreement with the 1st and 2nd respondents concerning the welfare or rights or condition of service with the different industrial unions affiliated with the 1st and 2nd respondents to warrant their threats to proceed on strike from 6th November 2018 and ground the country.

    “If this ex-parte order is not granted on or before the 5th day of November 2018 the 1st and 2nd respondents (NLC and TUC) will embark on the strike already planned to commence on 6th November 2018 which will occasion great loss to the nation and further harm the economy.”

    In his ruling, Justice Kado said he was convinced from the applicants’ arguments and exhibits presented that the impact of the planned strike would be too devastating on the economy and may plunge the country back into economic recession.

    The judge said it was for the overriding interest of the public to grant the application.

    Justice Kado said: “Having carefully appraised the facts and the circumstances that led to the institution of this action, this court has the duty to weigh the balance of convenience and see where it is suited.

    “It is also the duty of this court to weigh the effect of the actions of the actors involved in the dispute so as to make sure that the interests of the general public are protected.

    “In view of all that I have been saying above, it is the overall interest of justice and stability of the society to grant the order of interim injunction against the 1st and 2nd defendants, their members, privies, agents, proxies, workmen, or servants from embarking on or taking part in the planned strike or industrial action scheduled to commence on November 6, 2018, in whatever form pending the hearing or determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction which is pending before the court.

    “It is also necessary to grant an order of interim injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd defendants, their members, privies, agents, proxies, employees, workmen, or servants from engaging or taking part in any conduct or act in contemplation or furtherance of the strike or industrial action scheduled to commence on November 6, 2018, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

    “The grant of the interim injunction is due to the urgency of the application and the desire to prevent economic loss to both public and private institutions and also to protect the fundamental rights of the general public.

    “The 3rd defendant, being one of the major stakeholders in the labour industry, should also not do anything that will, in any way, adversely affect the interest of their workforce, pending the hearing and determination of this suit.

    “This case is adjourned to November 8, 2018 for the hearing of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction. All the parties concerned should be immediately served with this order of court,” Justice Kado said.

    Organised labour insists on action

    However, a few hours after the court order,  NLC,TUC and ULC leaders emerged from a meeting in Lagos to say they will go ahead with the strike.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, the NLC President, who read the communique of the meeting advised affiliate members of the three centres to commence preparation to ensure the strike was effective.

    Members, he said, should be steadfast and dedicated to achieve their objective as workers would never receive improved welfare except through struggle.

    He also said that the ‘no work no pay’ rule by the government is wrong as it negates the labour law and international convention to which Nigeria was a signatory.

    Also speaking, Mr Joe Ajaero, ULC President, vowed  that labour would not hesitate to stop the strike if the government fulfilled its N30,000 minimum wage demand.

    Ajaero said that labour would continue to meet and negotiate with the government until midnight of the expiration of the strike.

    He said that the labour body had not received any court injunction to stop the strike contrary to any report.

    His words: “We are not aware of any court injunction. We will not discuss it because it is speculative. We advise that the minimum wage committee be allowed to submit its report,” Ajaero said

    For his part, TUC president, Mr Bobboi Kaigama, said the door of   organised labour remained open for discussion and advised that the report reached by the committee be submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari.

     

    Minimum wage: Court stops workers’ planned strike

    Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige, said yesterday that conciliation on the national minimum wage will continue tomorrow regardless of the court injunction restraining organised labour from embarking on strike.

    The National Industrial Court earlier yesterday ordered the organised labour to stay action on its proposed strike scheduled for Nov. 6
    The minister in a statement said that the conciliation meeting involving organised Labour, the organised private sector and government scheduled for Sunday remains unchanged.

    “The conciliation meeting involving the Organised Labour, the Organised Private Sector and Government scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 4 at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by 6 p.m. is still on course and will hold,” he said.

    Ngige said that this will be followed by another meeting of the National Tripartite Minimum Wage Committee meeting on Monday, Nov. 5 at the same venue.

    The minister appealed to all tripartite members to attend the meetings in the interest of the nation and finding a solution to the minimum wage impasse.

  • Minimum wage: Bishop urges FG, states to pay N30,000

    The Anglican Bishop of Ihiala Diocese in Anambra, Rt. Rev. Israel Okoye has appealed to the Federal Government and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to accede to organised labour’s demand of N30,000 minimum wage.

    Okoye made the appeal on Thursday at the second session of the third synod of the Diocese at St. Mary’s Church, Isseke, Ihiala Local Government Area.

    The bishop said Nigerian workers deserved better treatment from what was currently obtainable, saying there is need to prevent workers from going on strike.

    “The debacle over minimum wage implementation in Nigeria is unnecessary as government could eliminate financial wastages in whatever form to increase the salaries of workers,” he said.

    On the 2019 general elections, Okoye urged INEC and security agencies to resist the temptation of being tools in the hands of politicians.

    According to him, there is a dangerous trend that is fast developing in the country following the spate of manipulations, protests, violence, vote-buying and defections.

    “It is starkly incontrovertible that many Nigerian politicians have no passion for the wellbeing of the people.

    “Parasitic politicians are now hovering all over the country, promising the best of paradise to the electorate and distributing money without recourse to solving the many economic and socio-political problems facing the country,” he said.

    The bishop also reiterated the call for the release of Leah Sharibu from her Boko Haram abductors.

    While speaking on the theme of the synod: “Where are you,” Okoye noted that the devil was leaving no stone unturned to derail God’s people from biblical Christianity.

    He said that a growing population of people have now chosen to fake God’s gifts, while some have resorted to occultism and other immoral acts to serve Satan.

    “As poverty spread with rapidity and fraudulent activities are carried out in the name of Jesus Christ, Christian homes are fast losing their spirituality.

    “God persists in asking those for whom Jesus Christ shed his precious blood, where are you,” he said.

    He called on Christians to strive always to stand on the truth of the word of God.

    In a lecture, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu called on the church all over the world to make effort in addressing the physical and spiritual needs of faithful.

    Iwuanyanwu, who spoke on “Strategies for raising a self-sustaining church,” also called for the establishment of church departments that would provide employment and skills acquisition for youths and other members.

    “Every diocese should have business departments where some organs of the church can invest on employment and training of youths for self-reliance,” he suggested. (NAN)