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Tag: Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)

  • Fayose owes more than four months arrears – Ekiti workers

    Fayose owes more than four months arrears – Ekiti workers

    Workers in Ekiti State appear set for a showdown with Governor Ayo Fayose over his claim on Channels Television on Thursday that his administration is owing only four months arrears of salaries. The governor, who had earlier in the day declared his intent to run for the presidency of Nigeria in 2019, was asked on the propriety of his ambition when he was owing workers under him.

    But the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ekiti State, Raymond Ade Adesanmi, refuted the governor’s claim maintaining that “Fayose owes various categories of workers under him between five and eight months arrears of salaries. Adesanmi disclosed that Fayose’s claim of owing just only four months arrears is already causing tension and disquiet among the workforce.

    He advised government “to always come out with correct information to douse the raging tension in the system.” Speaking with reporters in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, Adesanmi said although the workers are still loyal to the government, they won’t tolerate comments about their welfare that could strain the relationship between the workforce and the government.

    Clarifying the level of government’s indebtedness to workers, Adesanmi said: “The state workers’ benefits are in different categories thus: pension, gratuity, deductions and salary. “As we speak now, the state civil servants are owed  five months’ salary arrears,  local government, eight months and institutions on subvention, like College of Education Ikere, College of Health Technology Ijero and Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, are owed seven month salary arrears.

    “One cannot but talk about the plight of the pensioners, because one day we will all retire, either on account of age or length of service. As of now, pensioners are  being owed five months pension arrears while gratuity has not been paid since 2012 when former Governor Kayode Fayemi was in the saddle. Ekiti workers are not oblivious of the economic recession that had depleted the financial strength of many states of the federation, including Ekiti.

    “Let me state that we all owe it a responsibility to contribute to the development of this state, but we need to give out correct and accurate information to the public , so that the government and workers can be on the same page, otherwise there will be friction. I want to appeal to the already restive workers to be patient, particularly those who were ruffled by the information,” he said.

  • Ortom: NLC blackmailing my government

    Ortom: NLC blackmailing my government

    • Says we inherited N69 billion salaries, Pension arrears

    Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom has said that his state inherited arrears of salaries, pensions and gratuity of about N69 billion which the bailout fund and the Paris Club refund has not been able to clear, accusing the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the national level of blackmailing his government and inciting workers in the state to embark on strike.

    Ortom who spoke at a book launch in Abuja said his state was paying the highest salary to its workers in the country and challenge the leadership of labour to contradict his claim by coming out with superior facts.

    He also challenge the leaders of Labour to drag his government to the anti-corruption agencies in the country is they feel that he was not fair to Benue workers in the appropriation of the federal government bailout fund to drag his government to the anti-corruption agencies.

    He insisted that the leadership of Labour should do a comparative analysis of remuneration of Benue workers with other states, insisting that he is paying higher than any other state in the country.

    Governor Ortom said his government was open to dialogue, urging anybody with superior programs to tackle the issue to bring it on the dialogue table.

    “I believe that the discussion is still ongoing. We will still talk even though I feel that we should not be discussing our problems in the media. I have told them to bring the issues on the table because government is ready to put all the figures on the table to anyone to see.

    “It is part of our transparency and accountability. One thing I can assure you is that we have formed a process of working towards it. It is not enough for the leadership of the labour union to incite the workers to go on strike at the National level and Benue state.

    “For me, it is not the best way of unionism and taking care of workers. Benue State has a peculiar problem. We inherited a debt arrears of N69 billion of pension, gratuity and salaries.

    “Now, the intervention from the federal government called Paris Club or bailout as they call even though it is a loan all together could not clear the N69 billion debt arrears. So, the challenge is still there and everybody knows about it.

    “The figures are on the table for everyone to see. For us, Benue is one of the States in the country paying the highest salary as at today I am talking to you. I challenge you to compare your note.

    “In other states where Permanent Secretaries are collecting N230, 000, we are paying N500, 000 because that is what we inherited. We believe in dialogue and discussion and if you have superior programs that can make things better for Benue people bring them on the table for discussion.

    “It is not just enough to go and incite people to go on strike to prove that that government is not paying. They should ask what has been the history. I challenge them to do analysis of what has been on ground.

    “The good thing is that none of the anti-corruption agency can indict us for misappropriation of bailout fund because we have been very transparent. That is where we are now,” he said.

  • Benue worst state in Salary payment – NLC

    Benue worst state in Salary payment – NLC

    • Says workers should take their destinies in their hands

    President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba has asked workers in the country to take their destiny in their hands by massively obtaining their voters’ card to be able to vote out state Governors that has refused to pay salaries and allowances of workers.

    Wabba who spoke while on a solidarity visit to workers in Benue state said it was a shame that the state government has refused to pay workers’ salaries, allowances and pension despite collecting the bailout fund and Paris Club refund, describing the Benue situation as the worst case scenario.

    Wabba said the record from Benue state which showed that the state was in arrears of salaries for seven months in ministries and parastatals; eleven months in local governments and teaching institutions, and thirteen months of pension arrears was alarming and a shame as it is the worst record in the country.

    The NLC President condemned in strong terms the refusal of the Benue State Government to pay salaries, pensions and gratuities after collecting bail-out funds and Paris Club refunds, adding that the Congress will no longer fold its hands and watch state government exploit workers and deny them their entitlements.

    He expressed shock and dismay that whereas most other states, relatively speaking, had met salary and pension obligations to workers and pensioners, the Benue State Government had been indifferent and insincere to workers and pensioners.

    He said further that the willful act of the government refusing to pay salaries was illegal (as it violates all known rules of employment), callous, morally reprehensible and a betrayal of the trust of workers and pensioners who had voted the government into office.

    Comrade Wabba said in light of the pains and indescribable suffering brought upon the workers, pensioners and their families, Congress had no hesitation in giving full support to any lawful action including a full strike action, in pursuit of their salaries, pensions and gratuities.

    He urged the workers and pensioners to remain united and not allow government or anyone else to distract them from their set objectives. 

    He told the Benue workers that experience had shown that state governments were not ready to pay salaries and pensions without a fight, adding that it was up to them to do the needful to secure the regular payment of their salaries and pensions.

    As a long-term strategy, he urged the workers and their families to ensure that they obtain voters’ registration cards and to equally vote in mass at elections as part of the process of using their numbers.

    He said most governors cling to the notion that workers do not vote, and that this substantially explains the shabby treatment meted out to them, stressing that workers must rise up and take their destiny is in their hands if they register and vote wisely.

    Comrade Wabba further said NLC could no longer fold its arms while workers in the state are grossly mistreated assured that the national headquarters was ready to offer support to workers in the states to pursue their legitimate demands.

  • NLC threatens to name, shame governors owing salaries

    NLC threatens to name, shame governors owing salaries

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to name and shame state governors, who refused to pay complete salaries to workers in the country, in spite of the bailout funds.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, NLC President said this at the National Executive Council meeting of the Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Wabba said that some state governors have refused to effectively utilise both the bailout funds and the Paris Club refund given to them by the Federal Government.

    According to him, 10 out of the 36 states are particularly guilty of the offence, while six of the ten states were in terrible situation. We have promised to name and shame them.

    “The congress has directed all states chapters whose members are owed more than three months’ salaries arrears to declare an industrial action and we have promised to name and shame them.

    “The states include Imo that has been paying workers’ salaries in percentage and has not declared utilization of the bailout fund and Paris club refund.

    “”They paid 40 per cent pension to their pensioners without their consent and provided a form for them to sign under duress. That is not allowed in law.

    “We have Bayelsa which has between five to 10 months’ arrears, Ondo is owing between four and six, Ekiti, (five to eight), Benue (five to eight) and Kogi which is the worst case scenario.

    “We have three category of workers in Kogi. We have 40 per cent that are being paid up to date, we have 25 per cent that had not been paid between eight and sixteen months.

    “We also have another 25 per cent that have not been paid between eight and twenty-one months.

    “In all the sectors, they have categorised the workers into three categories,” he said.

    The president also listed Osun, Ebonyi, Zamfara and Abia among others still owing salaries and non-implementation of the 2011 National Minimum Wage for workers.

    Wabba while speaking on the issue of increase tariff, warned the government against approving another increase in electricity tariff.

    He said that the congress would mobilise its affiliates, social partners and other Nigerians to resist any further increase.

    He noted that Nigerians were yet to get good services for the previous increment which has been declared illegal by the court.

    “The twin issue of fuel price increase and electricity tariff has made nonsense of the minimum wage. We have not been able to justify that 45 per cent increase.

    “But now, they are coming again with another increase. Let me say emphatically that NLC as an Organisation and all our affiliates will resist any attempt to increase the electricity tariff again,”he warned.

    Earlier, Mr Chris Ani, National President of NASU, said the current agitation for restructuring and fiscal federalism were attempts to divert attention from misgovernance and ineptitude the nation has been going through.

    Ani said that Nigerians should not be distracted by elements that have actively participated in the looting and mismanagement of our economy and can be found in the two major political parties.

    “What Nigeria workers need at this point in time is not whether more power should be given to states, but to know how they have managed the power at their disposal at the moment,”he said.

    He, however, urged the government to ensure improved welfare and benefits, jobs security, prompt payment of salaries, among others for workers in the country.

  • Strike Notice: UCL is blackmailing FG to get registration – NLC, TUC

    Strike Notice: UCL is blackmailing FG to get registration – NLC, TUC

    Organised Labour made up of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) Friday accused the yet to be registered United Labour Congress (UCL) led by Joe Ajaero of blackmailing government into setting aside legal requirements to register them, and declare that only registered trade union and federations has the legal right to declare a strike.

    The NLC and the TUC said at a joint news conference in Abuja that the while the United Labour Congress which is yet to be registered has no legitimate right to call for a general strike, only the various unions have the right to call for a strike, adding that at the moment, none of the existing unions who are believed to be affiliates of the ULC have not declared any strike.

    Presidents of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and TUC, Bobboi Kaigama asked workers to disregard the strike called by the ULC saying it violates the Labour of the country, pointing out that the real intention of the promoters of the ULC was to compel government to register them as the Federation of Trade Unions.

    Wabba describe the ULC ultimatum as a mere attention seeking gimmick, adding that they have also resorted to an exercise intent on blackmail with the ultimate goal of using this weapon to obtain registration, we feel constrained to making the following comments on the unfolding situation.

    He said “despite listing twelve (12) demands in their 11th September press statement, we have no doubt that those behind the ultimatum were only hoping to blackmail the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to register their association as a central labour organisation, as they stated in their demand numbers 9-12..

    “We have no doubt the officials of the Federal Ministry of Labour would deal with the situation as the laws of the country governing labour relations are very clear on the procedure guiding registrations of Trade Unions and trade union centres.

    “Against the background of persistent mischief and dragging the names of our two centres to the mud by the promoters of the United Labour Congress, it has become pertinent to once again recall the events leading to their current desperation.”

    He said the promoters of the ULC have just collected forms for the registration of dozens of “shell trade unions or trade unions without membership”, adding that rather than wait to get registration, they just proclaimed their existence, perhaps because they know very well that by the extant laws-the Trade Union Act, and the Trade Union Amendment Act, there was no way they could get recognition and registration for the dozen or so “Shell Unions”.

    “These mushroom Unions were carried out of existing industrial unions. However, the Trade Unions Act CAP T14, LFN, 2004, Section 3 (2) provided that: “But no trade union shall be registered to represent workers or employers in a place, where there already exists a trade union”.

    “These fake Unions had not being registered, and would not be registered since all the areas have effective Union coverage presently that are affiliates of the NLC and TUC.

    “We had pointed out in our January 18th, 2017 letter to the Honourable Minister of the dangers posed by the activities of these erstwhile colleagues of ours, who rather than accept the decision of Nigerian workers to reject their leadership, are bent on creating anarchy in the industrial relations system in the country, by trying to register these mushroom and member-less Unions.

    “In the same letter, we had drawn attention to the fact that under the 2005 amendment to the section 34 of the Principal Act, it was clearly stated that a (new) federation of trade union(s) may be registered if (a) I (b): “it is made up of 12 or more trade unions, none of which shall have been a member of another registered federation of trade unions”.

    “The main promoters of the so-called new federation are individuals from NUEE and NUPENG both are affiliates of the NLC. By the extant law as passed just some years ago, they cannot form another federation.”

    On his part, TUC President, Bobboi Kaigama said the Labour laws of the federation is very clear that un-registered trade unions and federation(s) are prohibited from functioning. Under this section, a federation of trade unions shall not come into existence until it is registered.

    He said “Our erstwhile colleagues are therefore trying to take advantage of the unstable security and industrial relation situation in the country to increase the tension and give bad name to trade unionism.

    “Nigerians need to know that they are not a legitimate organisation recognised by the laws of our country. They are largely a collection of individuals who find it difficult to accept the will of Nigerian workers, as very clearly demonstrated during the March 12-13 2015 election that took place at the Eagle Square, Abuja in which they were roundly defeated.

    “We wish to state without equivocation that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has acted within the confines of the law by not registering ULC and the phantom Unions they put forward. No unregistered organisations or individuals can hold our dear country to ransom.

    “We urge the Federal Ministry of Labour and workers to discountenance the threats of this illegal association. The ministry must be steadfast in upholding the laws governing trade union practice in the country.”

  • At 26, Abia still crawling – NLC chairman, pioneer NUJ chairman

    At 26, Abia still crawling – NLC chairman, pioneer NUJ chairman

    The Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abia, Chief Uchenna Obigwe, says at 26 “the state is still crawling like a baby,” in terms of development.

    Obigwe spoke in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia, on the 26th anniversary of the state and level of progress so far recorded.

    “At 26, Abia is still crawling like a baby because previous administrations failed to develop the state,” he said.

    NAN recalls that Abia was created on Aug. 27, 1991, by then military President Ibrahim Babangia.

    According to Obigwe, the extent of decay in infrastructure is enormous and that it will take time for any meaningful development to be achieved in the state.

    On the fate of workers, the NLC chairman said that it had not been easy for civil servants in the state, owing to the delays in the payment of salaries.

    “You know that this is my constituency, so I can safely say that this administration is doing well to better the lot of the civil servants in the state.

    “Today, the governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has paid workers in the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) up to date.

    “We only have issues with the local government workers, teachers in primary and secondary schools, some parastatal agencies and pensioners.

    “If the government can take care of the salaries of this category of workers like those in the MDAs then our problem is over,” he said.

    Also, the pioneer chairman of the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Ogbonnaya Iheaka, shared similar opinion that at 26, Abia had not done well in the area of development.

    Iheaka told NAN in a telephone interview that the state had come of age, but lagged behind in terms of development.

    He expressed worry that past administrations failed to put the basic things that would propel development.

    “Certain basic things that ought to be done to drive development in the state were not done.

    “For instance, it was only during the last administration that workers’ secretariat was built yet it was far below the standard you find in other states,” Iheaka said.

    He also said that the state had not experienced the required federal presence and that past administrations did not do much to attract federal and international development agencies to the state.

    He said that the state had achieved a milestone in power sharing, particularly the governorship position, among the three senatorial districts.

    Iheaka, however, said that the development of the state was seriously threatened by sectional tendencies amongst the political leaderships.

    He said: “Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, political leaders have concentrated development in their own areas and paid little or no attention to other sections of the state.

    “Governors always reserved strategic political and civil service appointments for people from their area.

    “What this means is that place of origin has taken the position of merit,” he said, adding that the “ugly trend had destroyed the state civil service.”

    To further buttress his point, he said that the administration of Sen. Theodore Orji introduced an eight-year age limit for directors and permanent secretaries.

    He said that the policy swept many people out even before their mandatory retirement age.

    Iheaka regretted that after filling the vacancies created by the policy, the administration quickly reversed the policy and returned to status quo.

    “This unwholesome sectional tendency had been the trend since 1999 to date and it is dangerous for the state,” Iheaka said.

    According to him, the attitude of successive administrations is one of “the winner takes all” to the detriment of the interest of the greater majority of the people.

  • Minimum Wage: NLC confirms submission of nominees for committee

    Minimum Wage: NLC confirms submission of nominees for committee

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it has submitted the names of its nominees for the 29 man-committee for the negotiation of the new National Minimum Wage.

    NLC President Ayuba Wabba disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

    It would be recalled that the Federal Executive Council had on May 25 approved the constitution of the National Minimum Wage Committee to kick-start the process of negotiations for new wage for workers.

    According to Ayuba Wabba, “Well the point we are now is that last week we received a letter that organised labour should actually forward the names of their nominees and you know we have eight and that we have done and dispatched.

    “And what we expect now is the formal inauguration of the committee and the unveiling of the Chairperson and then the process should start in earnest with a timeline.

    “That is what we expect but I think we have fulfilled all righteousness by making sure that we are able to submit our team.”

    Wabba said that organised labour was aware of the situation of the workers and pensioners in the country, adding that labour would ensure that workers earn a living wage and pensions.

    Wabba, however, called on all strata of government, including the private sector to be proactive in order for organised labour and workers not to be pushed to the wall.

    “That is the position we are, but I think the fact of the matter is well known due to the issue of inflation and the high cost of living.

    “This is obvious and it is also about respecting our laws and tradition. If it is said that within a circle of five years, the law must be reviewed, certainly we must find a way of doing it right.

    “I think the bottom line is, none of the parties have said that those facts we have laid are not logical and nobody has said that the minimum wage will not be reviewed,’’ Wabba said.

  • NLC: Zamfara gets 21-day ultimatum

    NLC: Zamfara gets 21-day ultimatum

    Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Zamfara state chapter, has given the government 21-day ultimatum to meet workers demands or face “total strike action.”

    The state chairman of the NLC, Malam Bashir Mafara, made the announcement on Monday in Gusau while addressing newsmen at the end of an emergency meeting.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was jointly organised by the state chapters of the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

    Mafara alleged that the government had in the last six years (since the inception of the Gov. Yari-led administration), consistently failed to address workers issues.

    He also alleged that the government had relegated workers to “second-class citizens” and failed to meet agreements it reached with labour leaders to address workers needs.

    He said that the government had also failed to implement the N18,000 minimum wage, adding that some teachers and local government staff still receive N7,000 per month.

    The chairman pointed out that despite legislation which stipulates that pension is reviewed every five years, some retirees in the state receive N4,000 as their monthly pension.

    He alleged that the government had not involved labour in the disbursement of the bailout funds it received from the federal government.

    He also alleged that the funds had been diverted by the government.

    Marafa said that though vacancies were created in the civil service as a result of deaths, retirements and transfers among others, the government failed to carry out recruitment during the period.

    He alleged that the government had not paid salary to the 1,400 graduates that were employed in 2014.

    He warned that the two unions would commence “total strike action’’ if the government failed to respond their demands at the expiration of the ultimatum.

  • Centre to sensitise MDAs to gender mainstreaming 

    Centre to sensitise MDAs to gender mainstreaming 

    The Centre for Gender Studies International is set to sensitise government’s Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to importance of gender mainstreaming in their various offices.

    Mrs Love Onyechere, Executive Secretary, Centre for Gender Studies International, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja.

    She said that there was an urgent need for the institutionalisation of gender mainstreaming in MDAs as it would promote gender equality and eradicate biases among Nigerian workers.

    Onyechere noted that the sensitisation would take place during the National Consultative Conference on Institutionalising Gender Mainstreaming in Public Service in Nigeria.

    According to her, the event which is scheduled between August 28 and 30 at Uyo is organised in collaboration with the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

    It is aimed to ensure continuous dialogue and development of acceptable modalities for the full implementation of National Policy on Gender.

    “The conference will focus on institutionalisation strategies, boosting gender knowledge, gender justice and guarantee of human rights in work places, challenges and way forward.

    “Others are technical expertise and appropriate tools and instruments for sustained gender responsiveness and effective gender equality tracking and benchmarking of progress,” she said.

    According to Onyechere, policy makers including legislatures, members of the executive and judiciary arms including representatives from all the local government areas would be in attendance.

    Others are labour unions such as Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria.

    She told NAN that the conference would be delivered by the UN office in Nigeria, the Nigeria Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International, Nigeria Office, among others.

  • Attack on EFCC sign that anti-corruption war is being won – NLC

    Attack on EFCC sign that anti-corruption war is being won – NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said Friday that the attack on the Wuse Zone 7 office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was a clear sign that the won on corruption was being won, hence the resort to violence to stop the commission from concluding vital investigations.

    In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja and signed by its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the congress asked the commission not to be deterred by the attack.

    The congress also said there was the government to give the commission the needed technical support to build their forensic capacity without which good cases are lost or drag on indefinitely, thus exposing their personnel as well as set dedicated courts to try corruption cases.

    The statement reads: “We condemn the attack by gun men on the Area 7 office of the EFCC which houses key investigation units of the Commission. The attack represents the audacity of corruption and the shifting of the battle ground from the court room to the streets and should be condemned by all those who love this country.

    “The attack, clearly, was intended to deter and compel operatives of the Commission from carrying to a logical conclusion their ongoing investigations/prosecutions. In the light of an earlier attack during which an operative sustained injuries, this cannot be a lone incident. Indeed, we see it as the new phase of corruption fighting back!

    “While we are not insensitive to the manifest danger in this new phase of corruption fighting back, we urge the Commission and its operatives not to succumb to these desperate tactics or intimidation.

    “We have no doubt the resort to Violence shows they have come to their wit’s end. Accordingly, we urge the Commission and other related agencies to do all that is necessary to secure their premises and personnel.

    “They equally need technical support to build their forensic capacity without which good cases are lost or drag on indefinitely, thus exposing their personnel.

    “We also find it necessary to call on the government to give the Commission the requisite support including the setting up of dedicated courts for speedy disposal of corruption cases.”