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Tag: Ngige

  • …N27,000 is for all workers— Ngige

    The Federal Government said yesterday that the N27,000 minimum wage approved by the National Council of State and contained in the bill sent to the National Assembly is for all categories of workers in the country, both those in the public and private sectors.

    In a statement signed by the Assistant Director in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs Illiya Rhoda, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, said the figure of N30,000 recommended by the tripartite committee was a mere recommendation.

    The minister told all “those who are not pleased with the figure contained in the bill to prepare and take their submissions to the public hearing organised by the National Assembly for that purpose.

    He said the recommendations of the tripartite committee were deliberated upon by all statutory organs of the constitutions which are recognised by law as advisory bodies to the President before the final figure was arrived at.

    The statement reads in part: “The attention of the Minister of Labour and Employment has been drawn to the various misrepresentations being given to the press briefing on the new national minimum wage, given at the Aso Villa on January 22, 2019, after the meeting of the National Council of State.

    “For avoidance of doubt, the minister wishes to clarify that national minimum wage is the minimum amount of remuneration that an employer is required to pay wage earners (workers) at the lowest rung of the salary scale for the work performed during a given period.

    “At the expiration of the last National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, which was enacted in 2011, Mr. President constituted and inaugurated a tripartite committee on national minimum wage (TCNMW) in November, 2017, to consider the issue and recommend a new national minimum wage to the government.

    “The constitution of the tripartite committee was in consonance with the provisions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention Nos. 26, 99, and 131, as well as the guidance provided by the accompanying recommendations.

    “In a bid to achieve a holistic and democratic coverage, the prescribed tripartite structure went beyond the requirements of tripartism (the government and social partners) to extend to Tripartite – Plus in order to cover other stakeholders which included Nigeria Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), and National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME); in addition to the recognised employers’ Federation – the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA).

    Read also: Minimum wage: NLC puts workers on red alert

    “It is very important to note that the constituted TCNMW was mandated by Mr. President to deliberate on the issue of a review of the National Minimum Wage and make recommendations for its upward review.

    “It is of utmost importance to note that any Public or Private Sector employer who is capable of paying more than the statutory Twenty Seven Thousand Naira (N27, 000.00) should be ready to do so even without subjecting the concerned workers to a tortuous negotiation by the applicable Negotiation Councils.

    “The Federal Government has taken the lead in this direction by proposing to augment the Twenty Seven Thousand Naira (N27, 000.00) National Minimum Wage of Federal workers by Three Thousand Naira (N3, 000.00) per month to bring it up to Thirty Thousand Naira (30,000.00) for the least paid worker per month.

    “It is important therefore, to use this medium to ask the different groups who have interest agreeing or disagreeing on the contents of the 2019 National Minimum Wage Bill already transmitted to NASS, to get ready to make their views known at the Public Hearing.

    “We wish the Nigerian workers well and thank the NASS for expeditiously treating the Bill by letting it pass the first and second readings in one legislative day and also in setting up an urgent and ad hoc Committee to treat this matter in both Chambers very swiftly”.

  • FG, Labour reach truce on minimum wage

     

    Organised Labour and the federal government on Tuesday agreed on transmission of the executive bill on the new minimum wage to the National Assembly on or before January 23, 2019.

    Labour leaders and government delegation led by Minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige reached the agreement after three days of discussion.

    Organised Labour were not happy with the delay in transmitting the bill to the National Assembly  and asked the government to do so before the end of December 2018 or face mass protests, which might culminate in a national wide strike.

    Addressing newsmen at the end of the final meeting on Tuesday, Ngige said government will follow all processes leading to the submission of the bill.

    He expressed hope the processes will be concluded on time for the bill to be transmitted to the legislators.

    He said: “We have a target time of January 23, 2018 and we hope that all things being equal, government will be able to do so.

    “We will take all statutory meetings of the Federal Executive Council, National Economic Council and the National Council of State meetings to enable us transmit the bill on the new national minimum wage.

    “I thank the labour unions for their understanding and appeal to them that the threats should come down. Protests are no longer necessary.”

    NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba said having arrived at a day for transmission of the bill Labour will shift agitation and lobby to the National Assembly.

    Asked whether the protest rallies will continue across the country, Wabba said: “You will recall that our demand is for the bill to be transmitted to National Assembly.

    “We wanted a firm commitment so that we don’t come round a cycle. We wanted the agreement to be documented and signed by government representatives. With that, we can follow up on the process hoping.

    “This thing has been on the table for more than two years and having submitted the report, we expect that the bill should have been submitted.

    “The National Assembly will be back on January 16 from their recess so on or before January 23, the bill must have been transmitted.

    “We know that the National Assembly is desirous of making sure that workers in Nigeria have decent wage and so, they will also be able to do the needful.

    “We will shift our lobby to the National Assembly because once the bill is enacted, the money will be in the pocket of the workers.”

  • Ngige: APC must win national, state legislatures

    Minister of Labour Chris Ngige has said the All progressives Congress (APC) must win all legislative seats.

    Ngige spoke yesterday at the Muhammadu Buhari campaign office in Awka, while addressing stakeholders and candidates.

    Ngige, who gave out 4,000 bags of rice, 4,000 cartons of tomatoes, among others, said those who abandoned the party at the last-minute thinking the party would not win any election in the state, would regret it.

    He said the party had what it takes to win legislative seats in Anambra, adding, ‘this election is important to us in this state ‘

    “It is because we don’t make noise and that is why they feel we are not serious. 2019 election is important to APC, especially in this state and I’m telling you people that we are ready to liberate our people again “

    “We should start behaving like the Jehovah Witnesses people by going from house to house for sermons; APC must win seats in Anambra during the elections after winning the Presidency”

    He told them that soon, the President would visit Anambra to open his campaign office in Awka, given to the party by a former PDP lawmaker now with APC because of what the President did in Southeast.

    “APC is going into the election well prepared in this state and we have solid candidates in every position to win for the party”

    Some of the candidates who addressed stakeholders included Chief Sylvester Okonkwo (Anambra Central), Chief Emma Nweke (Awka North and South, House of Representatives), Chief Okonkwo Okom (Orumba North and South Federal Constituency), Rebecca Udorji ( Awka North), among others.

    They promised to deliver their areas for APC based on the achievements of Buhari in the state and Southeast.

  • Ngige: Igbo presidency now or never

    Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige has said the Igbo should give President Muhammadu Buhari support in 2019. He described the agitation for Igbo presidency as now or never.

    The former Anambra State governor, who addressed reporters yesterday in Awka, said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was not sincere with its restructuring agenda, describing it as ‘deceit’.

    According to him, it would be morally-wicked for any other group in the South to deny Igbo the presidency slot in 2023 if power shifts to the zone after Buhari’s second tenure.

    But, according to him, “power is not served ‘a la carte’, rather you must fight for it, and how do we do that, but by repositioning through giving Buhari our support in 2019”.

    He added: “PDP will never take Nigeria to the Promised Land, but APC will. Buhari does not hate Igbo as being propagated by the opposition.

    “Those talking about restructuring are jokers because they do not understand the word. The actual people holding it are National Assembly members because you can’t talk of coalising without NASS…”

  • Buhari, Fashola, Ngige storm Anambra as Obiano hosts festival

    All is set for the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari in Achina, Anambra State tomorrow for the triennial Idegwu festival. To accompany him are the Ministers of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and that of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige.  The host  is Governor Willie Obiano, while former Chief of General Staff (CGS), Ebitu Ukiwe is the special guest of honour.

    In preparation, Igwe Godwin Nnaemeka Obiora of Achina held the community’s ofala festival on Saturday. Speaking with reporters yesterday at the Achina Idegwu Day celebration, the Chairman of the organising committee, Nze Modestus Umenzekwe, said it was all about celebrating the community’s heritage and history. He said there is no fetish act attached to the festival, aside celebrating the birth of Achina, which was bequeathed to them by their fore fathers.

    Special Assistant to Obiano on Political Matters, Anayo Okpalaeke, told reporters  the’ iti omu’ and ofala before the event on Friday and Saturday respectively,  were to herald the Achina Idegwu festival.

  • Anambra Central: Ngige, APC candidate begin door-to-door campaigns

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige and the Anambra Central senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC, Chief Sylvester Okonkwo, say President Muhammadu Buhari’s achievements are enough sign posts for the party’s victory in 2019.

    Even at that, both told The Nation yesterday in Awka, the party had begun door to door campaigns in all elective positions in the state.

    Okonkwo, who is the APC candidate for Anambra Central senatorial zone, a known figure in the state, said he was battle ready for the election.

    Both said the completion of the Zik’s mausoleum in Onitsha, abandoned by previous administrations, the ongoing work at the 2nd Niger bridge among others were added advantage to the APC candidates in the state.

    Furthermore, the training and empowerment of over 5000 youths and women, in Anambra by the Buhari government had lifted the confidence of the people in the state and swayed their support for APC.

    According to Ngige, “ this administration is not playing politics like the other parties when it comes to the welfare of the citizenry, thing are tough but the administration is putting them right for tomorrow.

    “APC is fully prepared and ready to take Anambra Central senatorial zone during 2019 general elections and we are not joking about it.

    “For the candidate, there was no cause for alarm, adding that the party and its members had put everything in motion in Anambra to become victorious and that is why we are campaigning vigorously from house to house.”

  • Ngige makes case for decent work conditions

    The Federal Government has charged employers to provide decent conditions for their employees.

    Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige made the call in Abuja  when executives of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), led by Comrade Osakpamwan Eriyo, visited him.

    Read also: Negotiations with ASUU not aborted, says Ngige

    He charged the association to tailor its employment conditions on the provisions of the Decent Work Agenda of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

    The minister also encouraged the association to do a proper documentation of its employees by creating a data base, adding that it would simplify their recruitment process, as well as assist government in managing security.

    Earlier, RTEAN National President Comrade Osakpamwan Eriyo pledged the association’s continued support to government.

  • Ngige to PDP, APGA: forget Anambra Central senatorial poll

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has said nothing will stop the All Progressives Congress (APC) from winning the Anambra Central senatorial election in 2019.

    The minister advised the candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to steer clear during the election.

    Ngige, who addressed reporters yesterday in Anambra, said: “Sylvester Okonkwo is our candidate and the next senator for Anambra Central. Take it from me.

    “We are going to put everything we have to secure victory for my party, the APC, in Anambra Central. Any other person is now a political enemy. I will throw my weight behind Okonkwo.”

    On the agitations of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the minister said they were doing theirs in a suicide way, adding that some people were feeding fat on it.

    He said the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) did such agitation, which appealed to the conscience of Ndigbo, but not the IPOB style.

    “I’m disappointed in the way some of our people are pursuing our agitation. While they are chasing it the crude way, some are using it to feed fat,” Ngige said.

    The minister said the crisis in Imo APC would not affect the votes and re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari in the Southeast.

  • Ngige faults Falana’s stance on ‘no work, no pay’ rule

    MINISTER of Labour Senator Chris Ngige has faulted human rights lawyer Femi Falana’s (SAN) stance on implementation of the “No work, no pay” policy of the Federal Government.

    He said every employer has the right to withdraw pay for workers while on strike in accordance with International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions and the Nigeria labour laws.

    The minister also directed that the ongoing negotiations between the Federal Ministry of Education and the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will henceforth take place in his office, adding that all further discussions outside the ministry should stop

    The minister, in a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press, Samuel Olowokoore, said he was invoking his power as the chief conciliator of the Federation to take over negotiation between the union and the government.

    On Falana’s assertion, the statement said:  “Nigeria is a member of the ILO, a United Nations (UN) specialised agency dealing with labour issues and whose aim is to promote the right at work for employees and employers, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues.

    “It is important to state that Nigeria has also ratified and domesticated about eight core conventions of the ILO out of which two are most related in the instant dispute between ASUU and the Federal Government of Nigeria. These are the rights to freedom of association and organisation as well as the right to Collective Bargaining.

    “Based on these conventions, the ILO recognises the rights of the workers to strike. However, it also recognises the reciprocal rights of employers to withdraw wages during strike. This is the anchor for ‘No work, no pay’.

    “This has also necessitated the Nigerian Parliament (National Assembly) to legislate this into a law through the provision in section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act Cap T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.”

    On the negotiation with ASUU, the statement said:   “The minister in the exercise of his powers in Section 5 of the Trade Dispute Act has re-apprehended the dispute and invited all parties to a meeting. By this, all further discussions between the Ministry of Education and ASUU will now recommence at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

    “A meeting has been convened for Monday, December 10, 2018, at the Conference Room of the Minister of Labour and Employment by 4 p.m. prompt.”

  • Ngige: we won’t restrain organised labour activities

    THE Federal Government yesterday assured that it will not restrain the activities of organised labour, but will continue to engage them in dialogue.

    Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige spoke in Abuja, when a delegation of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) visited him.

    Ngige, in a statement signed by his Director of Press, Mr. Samuel Olowookere, said government “does not believe in curbing the activities of the organised labour union”.

    According to him, Section 40 of the constitution allows for freedom of association.

    “It is the same law that gave birth to the formation of political parties that also empowered the formation of labour unions, hence President Muhammadu Buhari will never tamper with the activities of the unions.

    “The Federal Government is committed to working in synergy with the two active labour centres in Nigeria, who are also dynamic members of OATUU with many affiliate unions,” he said.

    The minister, however, called on OATUU to work out modalities on how to facilitate the review of its relationship with the Federal Government.

    He said this was in terms of funding in view of the ongoing review of the list of international organisations and associations the country belong to.

    “The Federal Government recently decided to review the list of international organisations and associations, which the country will belong to.

    “This is because of the fact that the payments of subvention and statutory contributions to such organisations have started taking toll on the Federal treasury.”

    Mr. Valentine Udeh, leader of the delegation, and Deputy Secretary General of OATUU, said the delegation came to discuss the review of subvention to OATUU by the Federal Government.

    He expressed the appreciation of the union to the support it received from the Federal Government.

    He also assured of the commitment of the pan-African organisation to continue to cater for the well-being of the continent’s workforce.