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Tag: Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)

  • NLC says no to VAT increase plan

    NLC says no to VAT increase plan

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is objecting to any plan by government to increase the Value Added Tax (VAT).

    The NLC declared Friday that any such move would further impoverish Nigerians.

    It said that instead of increasing VAT and thereby placing more burden on the people, government  should go after all individual tax dodgers and  multinationals that are in the habit of not paying tax, but prefer to negotiate what they want to pay.

    The NLC position was made by its President; Mr. Ayuba Wabba represented by the Head of Information, Comrade Benson Ukpah at the presentation of a book entitled “Developmental Unionism” in Abuja.

    Wabba also lamented the current division within the rank of organised labour in the country saying it is weakening the bargaining power of the Nigerian worker to the advantage of employers and government.

    Wabba said it was unfortunate that while capital is consolidating, leading to some transnational corporations far richer and far stronger than government, unions are fragmenting and doing the exact opposite.

    He said: “If you look at the social partners, whereas the government has power and resources and employers have resources, unions do not have the material resources the two other social partners have except their labour as well as strength in their unity and this should not be discountenanced.”

    He said the working class people in the country are more hit by the current economic challenges in the country because “our economy is going through challenges that are unprecedented.”

    “In fact, not even the unfortunate civil war created this kind of situation for Nigerians. When we have challenges in the economy, they directly translate into the working and living conditions of workers.

    “Thischallenges also directly affect our unions. When salaries and pensions are not regularly paid, they transmit poverty and suffering to our homes.

    “When inflation rises without commensurate rise in pay, this reduces the capacity and purchasing power of the worker and reduces the quality of food and standard of living of the worker. The present economic challenges are directly felt more by workers than any other member of the Nigerian community.
    “The other challenge we face in the world of work at the moment is that while  capital is consolidating, leading to a situation where we have transnational corporations far richer and far stronger than national government, unions are fragmenting and doing the exact opposite. So, this further weakens the bargaining power of unions because strength lies in unity.

    “The other challenge we have is that while capital is able to move, Labour is not allowed to move. Each time there is a project of Foreign Direct Investment, the government welcomes them with open hands.

    “Whenever some of our political leaders take our money and take it outside the country, nobody questions them. The billions of naira that has been taken out of this country was done with the aid of foreign collaborators.

    He stressed the need for every Nigerian to join in fighting corruption.

    “Corruption has eaten into the fabrics of this country and we must fight it and restore the integrity and honour of this country so that our children can stay back here and not be treated like dogs in South Africa.

    Author of the book, Comrade David Kayode Ehindero called for a united labour movement in the country, while government and corporate organisations should entrench welfarist policies in their day to day activities.

    Ehindero who is the Chairman of the Kwajalein state chapter Agricultural and Allied Employees Union of Nigeria said there was the need for organised labour to come together in the spirit of patriotism and value placement to achieve a realistic development and advancement.

  • Labour kicks, as El-Rufai throws up 1,990 quarters for sale

    Labour kicks, as El-Rufai throws up 1,990 quarters for sale

    The umbrella bodies of workers, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Kaduna State, have kicked against the plan by the state government to sell 1,990 government quarters public auction, based on their open-market value.

    The labour unions said, the Civil Servants working for the state government and occupying these quarters were never given option of first refusal before the extension of offer to the general public, a situation they described as unfortunate and unacceptable.

    A statement jointly signed by the Chairmen of NLC, Comrade Adamu Ango and TUC, Comrade Shehu Mohammed said, “the entire workers of Kaduna State Government were taken aback by a paid advert in the Daily Trust Newspaper, Vol.42 No. 1 of Monday 27th February, 2017, relating to the sales of government quarters in the state to the political office holders disguised in the name of highest bidders”.

    The government had said that, in order to cut the cost of maintaining the government quarters, it has decided to sell about 1,990 of its non-essential residential quarters.

    The full list of available properties is placed on the state website, indicating that, about 1,990 houses are to be sold by means of a public auction based on their open-market value.

    The government said, the decision to sell the houses was endorsed by the State Executive Council.

    Meanwhile, the labour movement in its reaction stated further that, “The decision of the Kaduna State Executive Council was without recourse to all relevant stakeholders in the state especially the workers of Kaduna State who are the creators of wealth and the legal occupants of these properties.

    “It is rather, very unfortunate that the Civil Servants working for the state government and that are currently occupying these quarters were never given option of first refusal before the extension of offer to the general public.

    “Another area of concern to the public servants of the state, who receives peanut as salaries and wages when compared with those of the political office holders of the state, was the mode of payments for these quarters after being sold to the individual buyers. That is, payment of 25% of purchase price (including 10% non-refundable deposit), must be made to the Kaduna State Government within 90 days of being declared winner. Balance of 75% must be paid by all purchasers within an additional 90 days, thus, all purchasers must effect full payment within 180 days of contract.

    “From the above condition, tell me which Civil Servant of the State can afford this payment? This condition in the first instance is contrary to the provision of the Federal Government Mortgage Bank arrangement of issuing loans to the Civil Servants from all over the federation.

    “We make haste to advice that the Kaduna State Government should borrow a leaf from the Federal Government which in its monetization progromme gave workers who are the legal occupants of government houses an unconditional right/option of first refusal, this is more so that the Federal Government policy was midwife by the selfsame Mallam Nasiru El-Rufa’i”, the statement read.

  • NLC confident of minimum wage review

    NLC confident of minimum wage review

    The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba, says the Federal Government and the organised Labour movement in the country have reached a consensus to review the National Minimum Wage.

    Wabba, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the consensus was reached during the sitting of the Technical Committee on Palliative.

    He said the committee was meant to look into the framework to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians and cushion the effect of the increase in the price of fuel.

    He also noted that the report of the committee, which was also meant to discuss the issue of the minimum wage, was ready for submission.

    “I think there is a consensus on the fact that nobody has said that the minimum wage should not be reviewed.

    “The palliative report is ready and it would be submitted before the end of the month.

    “At the last palliative meeting, labour leaders had requested that they needed to look at the main report of the committee before submission.

    “So, the technical committee will have to submit its report to Mr President and not to the Minister of Labour and Employment,” he said.

    Wabba said that after the submission, the Presidency would then set up the tripartite committee that would involve the government, private and public sector.

    The NLC President said that labour was hopeful that the minimum wage committee would be constituted soon.

    He said that labour had also received positive response from the National Assembly, saying that the Senate had promised to pass the bill.

    NAN recalls that the labour unions had submitted a proposal to the government demanding for N56, 000 as minimum wage.

  • NLC president urges calm over inauguration of parallel union

    NLC president urges calm over inauguration of parallel union

    The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba, has sued for calm among members of the union in the face of the latest threat to its unity.

    Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Monday, Wabba promised that the leadership of the union would do all within its power to preserve the unity of the country’s labour movement.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wabba spoke in reaction to an attempt by some labour leaders to form a parallel body known as United Labour Congress (ULC).

    Promoters of the ULC, who announced their plans in Lagos on Saturday, elected an executive with Mr Joe Ajaero, General Secretary, National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), as President.

    Wabba said that Ajaero and Igwe Achese, the President, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Worker (NUPENG), who emerged Deputy President of ULC, were behind the breakaway attempt.

    “ The congress will like to assure our members across the country and the general public that the leadership of the NLC is committed to the unity of the working class in the country notwithstanding the latest declaration by Ajaero and Achese.

    “We shall do everything within our power to preserve the unity and coherence of the labour movement which was handed down to us by our forebears in the movement.

    “ The congress wish to assure all our members including those of NUEE, NUPENG and others listed as having attended the alleged launch of the new centre that the NLC will continue to provide protection for them.

    “We will ensure that their leaders do not, out of their consuming ambition to be leaders of a ‘national centre’, lead them into the wilderness,’’ he said.

    The NLC president also vowed to ensure that no member was pulled out of the congress without their consent.

    He said that the relevant organs of the NLC would soon meet to review the latest challenge posed to the unity of the congress.

  • Sack of 23 FUNAAB staff is vindictive, malicious – NLC

    Sack of 23 FUNAAB staff is vindictive, malicious – NLC

    … Demands immediate recall of affected staff

    Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the unconditional recall of the 23 staff of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) who were sacked by the management of the Institution.

    In a letter to the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, dated November 15, 2016 and signed by the NLC National President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the NLC described the actions of the management as bordering on “impunity, lawlessness and violation of the workers’ rights.”

    The apex Labour union said the anti – corruption crusade of the present administration would not succeed if whistle blowers are not protected from victimisation as was the case with those in FUNAAB.

    Many were sacked in FUNAAB following a petition against the Pro – Chancellor and Vice Chancellor, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe and Professor Olusola Bamidele respectively to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The letter reads in part: “we have it on good authority that between November 8 and 11, 2016, twenty three staff have been relieved of their appointments maliciously and in a vindictive manner.

    “Do permit us to observe that the actions of the Council and Management of FUNAAB do not only constitute impunity and lawlessness but a violation of the fundamental human rights of these workers as enshrined in Section 39 of the 2009 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Honourable Minister Sir, in order for the war on corruption to succeed, whistle blowers must be protected by all means and not victimized as is presently the case of FUNAAB.

    “Accordingly, we request you to cause an investigation into what is going on at FUNAAB as well as ensure that the affected workers are recalled unconditionally.”

  • Fuel Price Hike: Don’t test our resolve, NLC warns FG

    Fuel Price Hike: Don’t test our resolve, NLC warns FG

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned the federal government against testing the resolve of Nigerians by contemplating an increase in the prices of petroleum product when Nigerians were yet to overcome the earlier increase.

    The congress also backtracked on its earlier support for the plan that the Buhari administration to borrow about $29 billion, saying the government should instead pursue and recover government funds stashed away and use same to fund infrastructural development

    Speaking at the opening of its National Executive Council meeting in Sokoto, President of Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba expressed concern over ongoing media campaign and contradictory statements from the NNPC and government official on the rumoured price increase of petrol.

    He said the congress was totally opposed to any form of increase in prices of petrol as such an act will further increase the suffering of Nigerians, adding that congress will mobilise Nigerians to resist any such increase.

    Wabba said: “While Nigerians are still struggling to cope with the severe hardship imposed on them by the last increase in the price of petroleum products, there are ongoing media campaigns and contradictory statements by the NNPC and government officials on yet another plan to review the template for the pricing of petroleum products.

    “We are totally opposed to any further increases as we are yet to seeing the benefits of the last increase even as the current Minimum Wage Act has not been reviewed. It would amount to unleashing further hardship on workers and the poor if any further price increase is allowed.

    “The government must not take us for granted; indeed the patience and perseverance of the entire populace must not be taken for granted as we will sure mobilise the entire citizenry for mass protests in addition to other legitimate actions to resist any further increase.

    “What is urgently required of government is not another increase but a downward review of the current pump price of petroleum products.

    “The current National Minimum Wage Act has long elapsed and as you are already aware, we have long submitted our proposal for a review but Government seems not in a haste to recognise the urgency in attending to our demands.

    “Nigerian workers and pensioners are as important to the growth of the economy and must not be allowed to continue to suffer further hardships. We therefore reiterate our call on government to treat the review of the minimum wage and pension with the utmost urgency they deserve.”
    While commending the Federal Government in its sustained battle against corruption and determination to ensure good governance in our country, Wabba said the battle should be more systemic and institutionalised with strong laws and institutions strengthened enough to sustain the battle, adding that “our country has been seriously harmed both in image and resources by the impunity with which public funds were looted for decades such that what we need is beyond a flash in the pan approach.

    “We will support government in all areas that will promote good governance at all levels and all facets of the Nigerian society as long as it sustains its commitment to delivering people driven governance that will promote decency and growth in all spheres of our socio economic and political endeavour.

    “But we will not support the plan by the Federal Government to borrow more money from anywhere as we obviously have enough to attend to our immediate needs.

    “For instance, if the government vigorously pursues those in possession of our collective wealth, especially multinationals who have refused to remit funds meant for corporate Nigeria, we would have enough to rejuvenate the economy and the quality of the lives of our people.

    “NEITI has already been quoted to have discovered that $22billion (Twenty two billion dollars) has not been remitted by multinational firms to the federation account. This amount alone can take care of some of the areas any new loan is expected to be expended on.

    “If we must borrow, perhaps such borrowings, on terms strictly not against our collective interests and in particular not designed to deepen our debt burden, it should be directed towards revitalising rail transportation and roads and not for servicing remunerations or tastes of public office holders. Loans must have specific targets in public interest and strictly directed to their original uses; that is if we must take any at all.

    “We are also opposed to the idea of giving public funds to bail out commercial banks or interests, especially the recent proposal to give out $7 billion as bailout funds to commercial banks without any repayment schedule whatsoever.

    “While we also support the need for budget reform, we urge the government to ensure that the process is all inclusive, transparent, accountable and in line with the principle of good governance.

    “Once more, we urge government to be very careful with the process of economic reforms and development as it has become clearer around the world that neo liberal prescriptions handed troubled economies has not been of any help but rather further unleashed mass poverty and infrastructural decay on recipient countries and their citizens.

    “The prescriptions only generate massive wealth for the tiny few rich while devastating the quality of lives of the citizens. Indeed, a prominent report by Forbes has alarmed that “unless it changes, capitalism will starve humanity by 2050”.

    “We should not be seen to be accepting alien economic recovery policies that have been proven to be responsible for our problems in the first instance as all previous prescriptions from the Breton Woods institutions have only ended up destroying our economy and impoverishing our people.

    “We have enough intellectual capacity in our country that can develop people driven policies that is truly rooted in our specific circumstance for the recovery of our economy.”

     

  • NLC accuses FG of evading talk on minimum wage

    NLC accuses FG of evading talk on minimum wage

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday dismissed as misleading, speculations that talks between it and the Federal Government on new national minimum wage had collapsed.

    Comrade Ayuba Wabba, President of the NLC said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, that the talks had not even started.

    According to him, the government is foot dragging on the issue.

    He said that the tripartite structure that should consider the modalities for the implementation had not been inaugurated.

    “Uptil now, government is still dragging its feet on talks about the minimum wage; the tripartite structure has not been put in place.”

    He said that the speculation that talk on minimum wage had collapsed was misleading, adding that the talk had not even started.

    “The point we are making is that we have only agreed on the structure, but the structure has not been formed.

    “We have agreed on the membership and the structure of the negotiating team which is going to be tripartite, so this is the point that we are now.

    “But at the last meeting of the tripartite team which was held a day after the Sallah break, it was agreed that at the next meeting, all these issues will be sorted out.

    “What happened was that government could not form a quorum at the last meeting of the palliative,” Wabba added.

    According to him, apart from the Minister of Labour and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation that were at the meeting key ministries were absent.

    “Legitimately, we have a demand that is still pending with them including that of minimum wage and the palliative; therefore at the next meeting, I am certain that we will give government notice.”

    Asked if the government was reluctant in setting up a team for the implementation of the minimum wage, Wabba said he would not speak for the government.

    “Well, I can`t speak on the side of the government, but we are committed in making our demand, it is left for them to tell Nigerians whether they are committed to it or not,” he said.

    According to the NLC president, the union would pursue the issue of the minimum wage to its logical conclusion.

    NAN reports that the composition of the tripartite committee was announced on May 26, by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.

    The Wabba faction of the NLC had put forward a demand of “N56, 000 as a realistic minimum wage,” while that of Joe Ajaero is asking for N90, 000 as minimum wage.

    NAN reports that the government on its part has proposed N45, 000 as the new minimum wage.

    The joint committee is meant to iron out the differences in the various submissions.

     

  • NLC protest Killing of colleagues in Nassarawa

    NLC protest Killing of colleagues in Nassarawa

    Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described the killing of two of their colleagues in Nasarawa State as barbaric and uncalled for, stressing that an injury to one is an injury to all‎.

    Comrade Aliyu Abdullahi Umbugadu and Rabiu Mohammed Hamza were killed by police bullets on July 29, 2016, while waiting to hear the outcome of their negotiation with government over the unlawful reduction of their salaries.

    In a solidarity protest on Tuesday in Ibadan, the National President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said their colleagues were killed in cold blood, while others sustained various degrees of injuries of the senseless shooting of the police.

    The Chairman of NLC in Oyo State, Comrade Waheed Olojede, who read the speech on behalf of Wabba said ‎their murder and injuries violate every known decent code of condu‎ct, sanctity of life, rules of engagement and the laws of the land to which they are all subjected to.

    “Today, their family members and loved ones have been deprived of their love, protection and cover. When these comrades were alive, or hale and hearty, life was not exactly rosy for their families because of the policies of the government. With their death or incapacitation, it is better imagined what they could be going through. Our hearts bleed.

    “We must say it loud and clear that these deaths and painful injuries represent not just systematic attacks on the rights of workers in Nasarawa State but all workers across the country. Indeed, these deaths represent the dark variant of this assault and must be resisted by all workers,” he said.

    The union therefore demands that:” full justice for the injured and the dead by way of unbiased investigation, appropriate punishment and full compensation for the victims. The government of Nasarawa State‎ must take responsibility for the education and training of the children of the dead and medical bill of the injured. The government of Nasarawa State should immediately release to the families of the dead all their entitlements to enable the families cope.

    “The government of Nasarawa State must commence immediately the full payment of salaries and pensions as at when due. Government of Nasarawa State, and indeed, all governments, should desist from unleashing the police or any other security agency on peaceful protesting workers or citizens. The systematic attacks on workers right across the country must stop. State Governors should live up to their responsibilities or resign.”

    Wabba said they have resolved on a peaceful protest until the government of Nasarawa and Nasarawa Police Command account for their actions.

  • Kebbi NUT declares support for new labour leadership

    Kebbi NUT declares support for new labour leadership

    The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in kebbi State has declared their strong support for the new leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Umar Halidu Alhassah kebbi state council.
    This is following the removal of the  chairman Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Kebbi State council Comrade Murtala Usman from office last week.
    According to a statement  singed by the NUT Acting chairman  Comerade  KakaleDan- Ashibi made available to newsmen  stated that the State wing of the NUT has join other Union in the State in  recognising Alhassan as the new NLC Chairman in Kebbi State.
    Pointing out that  after  a serious meeting with the standing committee of the NUT they have finally resolve to  give 100% of  their support to the new chairman of the NLC.
    Comrade Dan-Ashibi therefore called on all members of the NUT to give their loyalty to  the New Leadership of Comrade Umar Halidu Alhassan  in other  move both the NLC and NUT in the State forward and to a greater height.
  • Unpaid salaries: TUC issues five-day ultimatum to Oyo govt

    Unpaid salaries: TUC issues five-day ultimatum to Oyo govt

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC), in Oyo State has issued a five-day ultimatum to the state government to immediately offset a back log of unpaid salaries and arrears which now hit eight month mark.

    The Chairman of TUC, Comrade Andrew Emelieze issued this warning in Ibadan while briefing journalist following the expiration of a grace period offered to the government.

    The union who described the alliance between the Oyo State government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), as unholy further emphasised that a ‎recent agreement signed to end the industrial logjam was not a true reflection of the yearnings of the various unions.

    “We condemn in strong term the agreement between Oyo Governmnt  and  NLC. ‎ It is totally condemned and vindictive. We shall not accept all this condition. It is fraud  and we will not be part of such agreement that is inimical to the future of workers.” he said

    Emelieze said:” That an extra five days ultimatum be given to the state government to pay all outstanding arrears with interest. That the people should start preparing for a mass action to occupy the state secretariat on August 8, 2016 should the government refuse to meet our demands.

    “‎you will recall that the Oyo State Government and the NLC entered into an unholy alliance by signing a lactiferous and satanic agreement that is inimical to industrial harmony in the state. The agreement is illegal, illegal, illegitimate and unacceptable to the TUC.

    “We condemn it in strong term as we see the sophisticated and nonsensical resolution which allows government to sack workers‎ and reduce work-force. The agreement is baseless and callous; we reject it in all its form and entity. It is a product only good for the dust bin.”

    He also condemns the recent pronouncement by the state government to restrict the public service aimed at sacking workers in the state.

    Similarly, the Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Comrade Emmanuel Ogundiran‎ said that there was a subsisting Memorandum of Understanding signed between the government and all the unions in the state‎ but noted that the leadership of the public service JNC was not carried along in the present agreement that was signed.

    “Our jurisdiction has been encroached. All stakeholders must come together to put an end to all this shortcoming. Government should do the needful,” he said.