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Tag: NECA

  • NECA: Businesses grappling with traumatic times

    NECA: Businesses grappling with traumatic times

    The Nigerian Employers Consultative Association of Nigeria (NECA) says businesses are grappling with extremely traumatic times, urging the government to look beyond the seeming good performance of a handful big businesses in gauging the state of the economy.

    Its President Mr Larry Ettah, in his address at the Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, said: “In recent times at our AGMs, we have variously described our operating environment as challenging, unpredictable, unstable and “energy sapping”.

    “These words are, of course, true and descriptive of what our members have experienced in keeping their businesses afloat. As I reflect on the events and situation of our economy in the past one year, I am truly short of appropriate words to capture the extremes of hardship and trauma businesses have had to contend with to remain standing. Suffice it to say congratulations to any enterprise whose head is still standing above the inclement weather of our operating environment”.

    Ettah, who is also the Group Managing Director/CEO of UAC of Nigeria Plc (UAC), said the  mortality rate of micro, small and medium scale (MSME) businesses is alarming, adding that if we are going to get a firm grip of the panacea to the high youth unemployment in Nigeria, then we must pay heed to the imperatives for sustainable enterprise.

    On the economy last year and the outlook for in the year, the President said: “With a growth rate of 2.79 per cent in 2015; the year recorded a dramatic slowdown from the five to six per cent growth, the Nigerian economy has become accustomed to recording.

    “The triple jeopardy of a stand-still in government as a result of the 2015 election; a new government grappling to settle down and the drastic fall in government revenue as a result of fall in the crude oil prices dealt a massive blow to the economy’.

    Ettah said the year had so far not been any better with multiple economic challenges: depleted foreign reserves from $ 29.9 billion in November, last year to $25.71billion on August 19, this year; naira depreciated by 31.7 per cent from N197/dollar in March 2015 to N330/dollar in August 2016; high capital outflow; upward trend of inflation from 8.5 per cent in March 2015 to 15.6 per cent in June 2016 and increased interest rates.

    “While there is no doubt that the past administration was profligate in its management of our commonwealth, it is quite evident that the lack of clarity about the economic agenda of the current government and some wrong policy choices have contributed to the current economic stagnation and recession.

    “We, therefore, welcome the thrust of 2016 budget of which recognises that meaningful GDP growth requires quality spending to reflate the economy. We need to invest in boosting our infrastructural stock; we need to reduce our domestic debt; and there is the need to spend to position our economy to be export oriented and less dependent on import. We hope this budget will be faithfully implemented as this is key to the revival of the economy from the current recession,” he said.

    Ettah said no sustainable growth can take place in the economy without effective implementation of the budget, saying that it is  a grave concern that year after year, the passage of the budget is subjected to a long period of delay.

    On the deregulation of the foreign exchange market, he said in the heat of the challenge of scarcity of foreign exchange, NECA conducted a survey among its  member-companies and discovered that only four to five  per cent  of members’ foreign exchange request for importation of raw materials and machinery were met by the banks.

    “This actually explained business’inability to import required raw materials for production to replenish exhausted inventory (stock).

    “ The implications of this, as it were, are: low productivity, low profitability, and staff rationalisation, which worsened the already unfortunate unemployment rate,” he said.

    He, however, praised the Federal Government for heeding the call for a deregulated foreign exchange market,which allows market forces to determine the naira rate of exchange.

    “Hopefully, this will improve supply of foreign exchange to the economy. It is hoped that in the medium term the policy will help improve and stabilise the value of the naira.

    “The issue, however, still remains that of ensuring adequate availability of targeted development finance to the real sector, which has enormous potentials for job creation in the economy.”

  • How to revive economy, by NECA

    How to revive economy, by NECA

    The  Federal Government must be prudent to get the economy back on track, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative  Association   (NECA) has said.

    In an interview with The Nation, its Director-General, Mr Segun Oshinowo, said much still needed to be done to rescue the economy from recession.

    He said: “To get the economy back on track, the government must first accept the basic principle and imperative of prudent spending as a way out of recession.

    “Such spending should target key social and physical infrastructural development; the settlement of the huge domestic debt and institution of an outcome – based and cash- backed budgetary system for the MDAs.’’

    He stressed the need for the government to complement its monetary policy with appropriate fiscal policy such as the abrogation of arbitrary tax waivers/exemptions, deliberate increase of fiscal savings into the  Sovereign Wealth Fund, improved tax collection with emphasis on widening the tax net as against introduction of new taxes or increase in value added tax (VAT), which could further reduce disposable income, slow down growth and lead to disincentive for investment.

    On the government’s drive to diversify the economy from its over-dependence on crude oil, NECA wants President Muham-mdu Buhari to, in addition to his focus on agriculture, take advantage of linkages between oil and related industries through the development of energy-intensive   industries and those that use by-product derived from oil such as petrochemicals, aluminum, steel production, fertiliser and bio electronics.

    Oshinowo, however, praised the government’s efforts to revamp the economy and stimulate growth in the face of the global economic downturn.

    He lauded the Federal Government’s courage in embracing the policy of deregulation of the downstream oil sector,   renewed interest in revamping the rail system, guided liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, among others.

    He said this would impact positively on the economy in the short and long terms. He appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the government.

  • NECA denies using thugs to disperse protesters

    NECA denies using thugs to disperse protesters

    The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has denied hiring thugs to dislodge protesters led by the Joe Ajaero-led faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress  (NLC) to picket its premises, last Friday.

    The NLC faction had accused NECA of using thugs to dislodge the protesters, resulting in a free-for – all in which scores were injured. Guests, who came for NECA’s 59th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and protesters, scampered for safety.

    The faction picketed NECA’s headquarters in Ikeja because the group supported banks that sacked workers.

    The entrance to NECA’s premises was barricaded during the action.

    In a statement, NECA Director- General Mr Olusegun Oshinowo described the group as “a law abiding organisation that will not resort to lawlessness to dislodge lawlessness.

    “This, actually, informed our decision to invite the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to protect us and our premises when we got wind of the Joe Ajaero faction’s plan to picket us.

    “Our own investigation on the identities of those that came to dislodge Ajaero and his cohorts has revealed three possibilities as follows:

    • In-fighting   among   hoodlums and thugs over distribution of money paid them to carry out the picketing
    • A counter-action by the legal and recognised NLC to  stop  Ajaero from further acting in the name of NLC and parading himself as its president.”

    Oshinowo said NECA would welcome an investigation into the mayhem, which, according to him, would not have occurred if Ajaero had respected industrial relations laws.

    He said the law enforcement agencies in NECA acted decisively by dispersing the picketers, who he claimed paralysed vehicular and human movement in Ikeja.

    “We again affirm that trade unionism and union immunity are not a licence for anyone to brazenly trample on the rights of other economic actors and breach public order,” he said.

  • NECA seeks passage of competition law

    NECA seeks passage of competition law

    The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has urged lawmakers to give Nigeria a competition law before the end of this year.

    Speaking at a ‘Walk for Competition Bill’ in Lagos, NECA Director-General Mr. Segun Oshinowo said there was nothing to cheer despite the bill passing second reading in the House of Representatives. According to him, there is nothing to cheer, because previous attempts to pass the bill even passed this stage before they were abandoned.

    “We, therefore, urge the lawmakers to match words with action and give Nigeria a competition law before the end of this year. We also call on the Federal Government to revisit the Draft Competition and Consumer Protection Policy Document and approve it as a matter of urgency.

    “It is this policy that sets out the goal of promoting competition in the economy. We further call on the Federal Government to mainstream competition in broader areas of economic development such as trade and industrial policy, investment policy, privatisation and deregulation policy, among others”  he said.

    Oshinowo noted that with the ongoing reforms in the economy and the privatisation and liberalisation programmes that have been pursued over the past few years, it is important that these programmes are supported with the appropriate regulatory measures and laws to ensure that they deliver real benefits to the citizens.

    In a related event, NECA has condemned the planned picketing of selected banks by the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees.

    The employers’ association, in a statement, alleged that the union was being emboldened by the directive of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, on the sacking in the banking sector.

    NECA’s Director-General, Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo, pointed out that the labour law recognised the right of employers to determine their operational policies without approval from the ministry, while respecting the provision of Section 20 of the Labour Act, where and if a labour union existed in the organisation.

    He assured that any employer carrying out retrenchment would meet with the appropriate body in the workplace, including the union where one existed, and would pay redundancy benefits to affected employees.

    According to him, the right to strike or picket is not an opportunity for impunity and criminality.

    “It is most unfortunate that the minister’s comment has been fuelling impunity and gross abuse of rules and principles of industrial relations in Nigeria. The law about dispute settlement is clear in Nigeria. If the union has any issue with the action of the employer, its recourse should be the industrial court rather than take laws in its own hands.

    “We expect the minister to caution the union and urge it to follow due process in seeking justice for its cause. In exercising its right to picket, the union should realise that such an action should not impinge on the right of the enterprise to conduct its business,” he said.

  • NECA seeks passage of competition law

    NECA seeks passage of competition law

    The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has urged lawmakers to give Nigeria a competition law before the end of this year.

    Speaking at a ‘Walk for Competition Bill’ in Lagos, NECA Director-General Mr. Segun Oshinowo said there was nothing to cheer despite the bill passing second reading in the House of Representatives. According to him, there is nothing to cheer, because previous attempts to pass the bill even passed this stage before they were abandoned.

    “We, therefore, urge the lawmakers to match words with action and give Nigeria a competition law before the end of this year. We also call on the Federal Government to revisit the Draft Competition and Consumer Protection Policy Document and approve it as a matter of urgency.

    “It is this policy that sets out the goal of promoting competition in the economy. We further call on the Federal Government to mainstream competition in broader areas of economic development such as trade and industrial policy, investment policy, privatisation and deregulation policy, among others”  he said.

    Oshinowo noted that with the ongoing reforms in the economy and the privatisation and liberalisation programmes that have been pursued over the past few years, it is important that these programmes are supported with the appropriate regulatory measures and laws to ensure that they deliver real benefits to the citizens.

    In a related event, NECA has condemned the planned picketing of selected banks by the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees.

    The employers’ association, in a statement, alleged that the union was being emboldened by the directive of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, on the sacking in the banking sector.

    NECA’s Director-General, Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo, pointed out that the labour law recognised the right of employers to determine their operational policies without approval from the ministry, while respecting the provision of Section 20 of the Labour Act, where and if a labour union existed in the organisation.

    He assured that any employer carrying out retrenchment would meet with the appropriate body in the workplace, including the union where one existed, and would pay redundancy benefits to affected employees.

    According to him, the right to strike or picket is not an opportunity for impunity and criminality.

    “It is most unfortunate that the minister’s comment has been fuelling impunity and gross abuse of rules and principles of industrial relations in Nigeria. The law about dispute settlement is clear in Nigeria. If the union has any issue with the action of the employer, its recourse should be the industrial court rather than take laws in its own hands.

    “We expect the minister to caution the union and urge it to follow due process in seeking justice for its cause. In exercising its right to picket, the union should realise that such an action should not impinge on the right of the enterprise to conduct its business,” he said.

  • Ngige chides NECA DG for instigating bank employers against govt

    Ngige chides NECA DG for instigating bank employers against govt

    Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige has described as “thoughtless and irresponsible”, the directive issued by the Director-General of Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) Dr. Segun Osinowo, to management of banks to disregard the directive of the federal government that they should shelve on-going retrenchment of workers.

    Oshinowo reportedly said at the weekend that  the labour law did not empower the minister to issue such a directive, which he considered uninformed and populist adding that the minister seems not to have shown understanding of the fundamentals of industrial relations and labour laws and thus, has “acted ultra vires,”

    He also said  the labour laws envisaged redundancy situation and, therefore, made provisions in Section 20 of the Labour Act to guide the actions of the parties in the event of retrenchment or redundancy.

    But in a statement yesterday, the minister insisted that government directives to the banks are premised on set rules of engagement.

    “Section 20 of the labour act is abundantly clear on redundancy and steps expected of institutions to safeguard not just their interests  and that of their employees  but also that of government who is the  chief guarantor of industrial harmony”, he stressed.

    The statement signed by Ministry spokesman Samuel Olowookere said the reaction of Dr. Oshinowo to government directives  pending the outcome of a conciliatory meeting and stakeholder’s summit billed for the first week of July “is not only irresponsible and thoughtless but a bland knee jerk reaction borne out of self service and unpatriotism”.

    The statement said any reaction that tends to hamstrung the intervention by government  in any sector  of the economy in the overall interest of all Nigerians, by invoking a sudden rigid stricture to free market rules,  is an overarching absurdity

    He said: ” If government  has been intervening, and shall continue to intervene  to save banks and allied institutions, even the aviation industry, in times of distress without allowing the free market rules to solely reign, therefore forcing some of them to go under, the same government can equally make minimum demands from this private sector in the overall interests of the nation. Our authority in this instance is not only statutory but also moral .

    ” Therefore, we wish to state clearly once more,  that the intention of government rather than being punitive on these financial institutions is to safeguard national interest by staving  off unnecessary job losses and hence avert its real and potential threat to the already fragile security situation and stability of the nation.

    ” Government intention is guided by the fact that there are clear alternatives to the abrasive lay off of thousands of workers especially in the background of non-compliance with laid down rules on redundancy as clearly enunciated in our labour laws. The labour unions in the financial has brought forward,  very strong evidence that thousands of workers laid off last year in a similar excercise are yet to receive their negotiated benefits”, the minister stated.

  • NECA faults Ngige over sanction on banks

    NECA faults Ngige over sanction on banks

    The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has faulted the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige over his threat to sanction banks that lay down its workers with licence withdrawal.

    Its Director-General, Mr Segun Oshinowo accused the minister of appropriating to himself the power which the state has not conferred on him.

    “His comment on withdrawal of licences at a global forum is an embarrassment to Nigeria. It is a comment that is unministerial and it has simply painted a very ugly picture of governance and government in Nigeria.

    “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) regulate the   banks   and  telecommunications  sector  respectively and   they   are   the   only   institutions   that   could determine who gets a licence and who should be denied. This, indeed, is a serious and a big decision-issue, consideration of which goes beyond labour administration,” he said.

    He advised the minister to focus on the bigger issue of working with his colleagues in the cabinet to reposition the economy so that the nation can return to growth and provide jobs for the youths roaming the streets.

     

  • Bank workers’ sack pits Labour against NECA

    Banks may have agreed to pull the brakes on the sack of their workers following  the Federal Government’s threat to withdraw their opprational licences and organised Labour’s plan to defend their members.  TONY AKOWE reports from Geneva, Switzerland

    WORKERS’ umbrella bodies – the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC)- are heading for a showdown with employers of labour over the recent mass sack of their members in the banking sector. They are also warming up for a showdown over the non-unionisation of workers by some banks.

    No fewer than 1625 workers have been thrown into the job market by Ecobank, Skye Bank, Diamond and First City Monument Bank (FCMB). A first generation bank is believed to have perfected plans to lay off 1000 workers  this year.

    But the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, asked the banks to pull the brakes, threatening that the government “know what to do” to any of the banks that fail to comply with the directive, while asking the unions not to picket the banks.

    NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, told reporters at a news conference in Geneva, Switzerland, that they  would engage the banks frontally and do everything within their power to protect the interest of workers in the banks.

    They accused the banks of undermining the principle of collective bargaining agreement which requires employers to engage the unions before taking decisions to lay off workers.

    Kaigama, said organised labour was ready to prove to the affected banks, that they don’t have monopoly of disobeying collective bargaining agreement and the laws of the land.

    He said: “Just like the employer has the right to hire and fire, they should also know that they must play by the rules. The rules are very clear and in every industry, there is a collective bargaining procedure in place where issues like that are addressed.

    “You are aware that while we are here, some of these banks have gone ahead to retrench their workers and the minister has made a kind of position that government frowns at that. Probably, the government cannot impose its position on the employers.

    “But you should know that the government is a referee and as tripartite partners, organised labour wants to observe the rules. But if the rules regarding redundancy are not followed, obviously, we will frown at that.

    “This thing happened while we are here and when we get back to Nigeria, we will sit down and address it. We assure you that we will do something about it. Even if it means picketing these banks, just as they disobey the laws of collective bargaining when it comes to retrenching our members, we will also show them that they don’t have the monopoly of disobedience of law.

    “If the employer feels that it is in monopoly because of the down turn, simple courtesy demands that you call for a review of some of these collective bargaining agreements so that you all jointly own up to this and make sure that this problem of retrenchment and underemployment will be addressed.

    “If these things which are in place are not followed, obviously, they should expect the wrath of organised labour”.

    Wabba said the unions will not sit back and watch the workers being treated like slaves in their own country, adding that as the umbrella body, organised labour must protect the interest of their workers.

    Wabba said: “These workers are Nigerians and they need our protection. The fact that people wants to exploit any loophole and take advantage of them is uncalled for.

    “There is difference between mass sack and the issue of hire and fire. In this case, it is mass sack and we can’t allow a situation where these workers are exploited or their rights denied. We are aware of what is happening in the banking sector because they refuse their workers from being unionised.

    “They refused unionisation and the issue is on the table and so, you can’t come back and say these workers are not unionised. We must respect our laws because that is the major issue.

    “As a union, we have human and trade union rights and it is a matter we have discussed here. It is within the context of human and trade union rights that this issue is situated. Therefore as workers, we must protect them.

    “Already, we are discussing how best to protect these workers because they are Nigerians? Do we allow employers to continue to exploit them? In one of the banks, those that they disengaged last year are yet to be paid their entitlement. Do we allow the situation to continue?

    “Was it not the same banks that got bail out from the government few years ago when they were in trouble. Was the money not from public purse? We know that the employers must protect their members and we must also defend our members.

    “We are working together and whatever it will take to protect these poor workers, we will do it because it was not their fault that they were denied unionisation. We have many of the banks that we are having pending cases with.

    “We have written to them officially that the workers wants to unionise and they were dillydally. The point now is how to protect these workers who have been thrown out of their jobs. Government should be concern about any Nigerian who will be thrown out of the job.

    “So, what the ministry did is right to say, wait, and let us discuss this issue first. How can that be an issue that will not be accepted? Except there is something hidden there.

    “Otherwise, I think the pronouncement of the minister is what is expected because when they had difficulty, it was government that gave them bailout from our collective wealth”.

    Reacting to the development, the NECA’s Director-General, said; “I have been on ground for long to fault that submission. When the current governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, was the President of the NLC, we had this issue in the banking industry with one of the very big banks which the unions had accused of de-unionisation. We were able to sit down and agree on the resolution of the matter.

    “In fact, the Ministry of Labour was involved in it. One of the options we were to consider then was to create an environment where individual workers in the banks will anonymously express whether they want to join the union or not. But we didn’t have to go that far because it was not necessary.

    “It is the responsibility of the unions to organise their members where ever they are. If the union should experience any obstacle in the course of that, they have the right to take the employer to court by making the point that the employer has denied their members being unionised. The question we should be asking them is whether they have tested this in court.

    “One would have expected them to take any employer that deny their staff the right to unionise to the National Industrial Court so that the court cam make a pronouncement on it. Until they provide that evidence, every statement they are making is an allegation which they cannot substantiate.”

  • NECA tackles Ngige over sanction threats on banks

    NECA tackles Ngige over sanction threats on banks

    The dust raised by ongoing retrenchment in the banking sector will take some time to settle.

    The Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) yesterday described as reckless a threat allegedly issued by Labour & Employment Minister Dr. Chris Ngige to sanction banks laying off their employees.

    In a statement, Ngige said: “This is as a result of the apprehension by my office of the various disputes in the sector in accordance and in compliance with the provisions of the labour laws of Nigeria.

    “Following the high spate of petitions and complaints from stakeholders in the Banking, Insurance and Financial Institutions, I hereby direct the suspension of the on-going retrenchment in the sector pending the outcome of the conciliatory meetings in the industry.

    “This is as a result of the apprehension by my office of the various disputes in the sector in accordance and in compliance with the provisions of the labour laws of Nigeria.

    “This decision is further predicated on the fact that the continued retrenchment and redundancy by the banks and other financial institutions are jeopardizing the outcome of the conciliatory and mediatory processes being undertaking by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

    “In this wise, all the retrenchments and redundancies done in the last four months and all proposed ones should be put on hold, pending the outcome of the proposed stakeholders’ summit for the Banking, Insurance and Financial Institutions’ employers and employees,  slated for the first week of July, 2016.

    “All parties are therefore advised in the interest of industrial peace and harmony to maintain the status-quo ante-belum.”

    As at the last count, more than 1000 employees have been laid off by four banks.

    There were also pockets of unannounced dismissals, with the banks hinging their action on the depressed economy.

    A first generation bank has concluded plans to ‘rightsize’ by reducing its staff strength by about 1000 workers.

    But picking holes in the threat to withdraw the practicing licence of any erring bank, NECA’s Director-General Mr Segun Oshinowo said Ngige stepped out of bounds with his comments on the issue of retrenchment.

    According to him, the minister was appropriating to himself the power which the state has not conferred on him.

    Oshinowo said: “His comment on withdrawal of licences at a global forum is a shame and embarrassment to Nigeria. It is a comment that is unministerial and it has simply painted a very ugly picture of governance and government in Nigeria.

    “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) regulate the banks   and  telecommunications sector and they are the only   institutions   that   could determine who gets a licence and who should be deprived.

    “This, indeed, is a serious and a big decision-issue, consideration of which goes beyond labour administration, which we are also sure they will not be flimsy and offhanded in taking, the way the Minister has acted.”

    The NECA chief urged the minister to focus on the bigger issue of working with his colleagues in the cabinet to reposition the economy and get the country back on the path of growth, with employment opportunities.

    He said the minister erred by taking labour relations matter as a pedestrian discipline, reminding him that it has its own body of knowledge, institutionalised practice and nuances.

    His words: “The minister has continued to miss the point. Our disposition is not ideological or sectional. We have  challenged  his  action  on the basis  of rule  of  law, structure  of  engagement,  disputer solution  procedure  and objectivity.

    “The minister’s comments and action have not demonstrated an iota of understanding of the basics.

    “We, once again, reiterate that employers will retrench if it becomes necessary and compelling. They would respect the law in doing that, by discussing with the union (where one exists) including paying redundancy benefits to affected employees.”

  • NECA backs banks on retrenchment

    NECA backs banks on retrenchment

    •’Ngige’s directive uninformed, populist’

    The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has backed banks on workers’retrenchment, accusing the government of meddling in the matter.

    It disagreed with  the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, on his directive to banks and financial institutions to suspend the exercise.

    NECA Director-General  Olusegun Oshinowo said labour laws did not empower the minister to issue such a directive, which he described as “uninformed and populist”.

    He added that the laws had envisaged redundancy, which was why provisions were made in Section 20 of the Labour Act to guide the actions of parties in the event of retrenchment or redundancy.  Oshinowo said the minister seemed not to have understood the fundamentals of industrial relations and labour laws in Nigeria and, thus, acted ultra vires.

    His words: “NECA affirms that no employer will take pleasure in declaring redundant employees which it has invested significant resources in developing over the years. Usually, redundancy exercise is foisted on employers on account of an unhealthy economy and the dynamics of the business, which often demands staff rationalisation”. Oshinowo said it was part of the inalienable right of an employer to determine the optimal staff level it requires to sustain its operations, adding that employers have rights, which include the right to hire and fire within the rules governing such employment contract.

    “Employers’ rights are employers’ prerogatives, which are not subject to ministerial directives.

    ”Where an employer has found it necessary to carry out retrenchment, it would respect the laws of the land and the laid down procedures for redundancy.

    ”Employers’ expectation from the Minister of Labour and Employment is that he will work hand in hand with other government ministries in the establishment of the desired enabling environment to ensure business sustainability, competitiveness and job creation,” he said.

    Oshinowo said the Ministry of Labour and Employment runs on the principle of tri-partism, which entails regular interactions with trade “unions as represented by NLC/TUC, the employers as represented by NECA, and government as represented by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. The ministry is expected to respect the rights and interests of employers and workers alike on issues that relate to labour and industrial relations,” he said.

    Meanwhile, NECA has written to its members to ignore what it described as the “illegal directive from the minister.”