Tag: Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)
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Govt to NLC: return to negotiation table
The federal government said yesterday it will return to the negotiation table with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the increase in the price of petrol.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige said in a statement that it expects Labour back after NLC President Ayuba Wabba walked out of a meeting on Tuesday night.
The statement said: “The Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige is constrained to respond to a number of issues which were raised today by the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba after he led the NLC to withdraw from the negotiation between the Federal Government and organised labour yesterday, Tuesday, May 17 2016.
“It is instructive to note that most Nigerians have shown great understanding of the fact that the current problem is not a subsidy removal issue, but how to deal with the non-availability of foreign exchange, a situation that leaves the federal government with no other choice than to deregulate the downstream of the petroleum sector which resulted in rise in pump price of petroleum.
“In view of the above, the Federal Government is fully committed to the quick implementation of the palliatives in the 2016 budget, while developing other ways to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.
“The federal government appreciates all the important issues raised by the labour unions and has taken them into consideration. Government is resolute in making sure that the economy is not only strong, but able to provide jobs and opportunities for all Nigerians.
“The federal government went to court to seek an injunction restraining labour from embarking on strike because there is a clear process of declaring labour strike under the law. It is therefore the view of government that those processes were not complied with before the NLC called the strike.
“I wish to further state that series of meetings and consultations were held between the federal government through the Minister of State Petroleum, the Office of the Vice President, the Minister of Labour and Employment and organised labour unions.
“It bears putting on record that on the 4th of May 2016 while discussing the template put forward by the Minister of State Petroleum, the NLC, TUC, NUPENG, PENGASSAN and other major stakeholders even advised that the NNPC pricing should be same with that of the Independent Petroleum Marketing Companies at N140 per litre.
“There was another meeting on May 11, 2016 where Governors, National Assembly leadership and some ministers were in attendance with NLC, TUC, PENGASSAN and NUPENG promising to take the decision of the meeting to their respective organs for further necessary actions.
“It was therefore surprising that the NLC, at the maiden meeting, put forward the issue of non-consultation as a major non-compliance issue on the part of the government but was out rightly debunked by the NNPC and Ministry of Petroleum.
“Hence, I wish to use this forum as the major conciliator in this critical national issue to appeal to NLC to return to the negotiating table to conclude the negotiations that have been kick-started.
“Other brother federation unions, TUC, NUPENG, PENGASAN, NUEE! NUBUIFE and other sensitive unions have signed a memorandum of understanding with the government negotiating team on the modalities for the implementation of the palliatives, needed to cushion the adverse effects of the increase in the pump price of petroleum.
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Petrol price: Group wants FG, NLC to dialogue
Alhaji Abubakar Yabo, a group leader, has called for dialogue between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to resolve the issues surrounding the increase in the pump price of petrol.
Yabo, who is the Secretary Aliyu Magatakarda Advocacy Group (AMAG) in Sokoto State, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that embarking on a nationwide strike could not resolve the issue.
He said that rather than protest, the organised labour should discuss with the government in order not to put Nigerians through any further suffering in the name of strike.
The group leader explained that marching innocent workers out for a protest might pose a great threat to their lives, considering the present security challenges facing the nation.
Yabo lauded Nigerians for their patience and understanding by demonstrating maturity before and after the removal of the subsidy.
He called on the Federal Government to come out with a strong economic policy that would develop the country.
Yabo expressed optimism in the President Muhammodu Buhari administration in fashioning out laudable policies and programmes that would improve the living condition of all Nigerians.
He called on Nigerians to continue to exercise patience, as the 2016 budget would address their yearnings and aspirations.
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I’ve never received double pay – Ngige
Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige said Wednesday that since leaving office as governor of Anambra state in 2006, he has never received any money from the state as salary or any form of emolument for former governors and deputy government in the state as enshrined in the state laws.
Ngige became the first former governor to react to the claims by the Nigeria Labour Congress recently that some former governors and deputy governors currently occupying public offices were still receiving double salaries and emoluments.
In a statement he personally signed and made available to The Nation, the Minister said he was compelled to respond to the issue in the public interest and in view of several calls from his friends and organised labour on the master.
The statement reads: “It is my considered opinion that I respond in the public interest, to the issue of double emoluments to former State Governors, which has drawn sustained media discuss, and no less negative reactions from a cross section of Nigerians.
“I am doing this, being fully aware of the relevant sections of the law, public morality and the prevailing ethos of honest and transparent leadership, which the Federal Government of our great Party led by Muhammadu Buhari GCFR is battling to enthrone.
“It therefore becomes imperative for me to explain my own circumstance as I neither draw from nor have at any time drawn double emoluments, having been elected or appointed into public service positions at different times.
“I wish to put on record that since I left office in 2006 as Governor of Anambra State; through the four years I spent in the 7th Senate (June 2011-2015) and currently as the Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment with effect from November 11, 2015, I have never drawn a dime even in the intervening period that I was not in public office, as salary, emolument or pension from the Anambra State government coffers.
“In fact, I have not received any severance benefit as prescribed in the Anambra State House of Assembly law on pensions and other welfare and benefits for former Governors and Deputy Governors, 2006, and amended 2013. Aside the two utility vehicles given to me some years ago, I have not accessed any of the privileges and other lawful trappings due to the office.
“It is worth stating here that the Supreme Court affirmed that I was entitled to these benefits in their landmark judgment in Mike Balonwu and others Vs Anambra State Government, which declared me Governor, defacto and dejure between 2003-2006.
“This explanation has become more necessary because of the calls and enquiries I have been receiving from so many quarters especially my friends and even from my new constituency, the labour.
“The ultimate aim of public office is service to the people and putting the public conscience in mind is the only way to achieve it. This I will continue to pursue”.
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Bayelsa NLC, government reacts to plight of civil servants
In his reaction, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Bayelsa State, Mr. Ndiomu George-Diepre, said the congress was not happy with the development.
Regretting the econonic situation in Nigeria, he begged the governor to pay the workers to enable them meet their personal and family obligations.
He disclosed that the workers’ strength was about 45,000.
George-Diepre said: “The Congress as usual is still on the struggle. Right now, we are on the air, calling on the government to pay the unpaid salaries.
“While we understand the economic situation in the country and how it also affects the states, we are still asking that the government should pay all the outstanding salaries of workers, particularly the pensioners and of course, the local government workers.
There are also a lot of scams and ghost workers suspected in those areas, and the governor is saying he wants to do verification and after that they will pay. But the Labour is saying that they should be paid because they have suffered for a long time.”
But an official in the Governor’s office said Bayelsa State was not the only state that was owing salaries, saying that there are states owing between seven and eight months.
The official, who spoke in confidence said: “So, why is Bayelsa State so peculiar that journalists want to do a report on it.
“The Federal Government is owing. You heard the Secretary to the Government of the Federation saying the FG is owing N6bn every month. Is that not scandalous for a nation like Nigeria? Is it no more newsworthy than workers resorting to begging? Check the fact, we are owing just three months.”
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APC to NLC: You are anti-workers
The Ondo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted the encomiums passed on Governor Olusegun Mimiko by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The party noted that it was ironical that the commendation came at a time workers in the state are currently groaning through the insensitivity of the same government that has failed to pay salaries for four months.
NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, in a letter applauded Governor Mimiko over what he described as his sterling leadership qualities in the transformation of Ondo State to a modern and one of the leading states in the country.
This he hinged on provision of physical infrastructure and services and other landmark achievements, which according to him have impacted on the lives of the people of Ondo State.
APC in a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro said it did not denying the present leadership of NLC its right to opinion and decisions
It however expressed concern on the “injury of inept” leadership foisted on the state in almost eight years of misgovernance which ironically found commendations from an organization that should indeed show empathy towards the challenges faced by the people.
According to the statement”what should readily have been a succour to the civil servants in Ondo state through the Federal Government’s bailout intervention of over N15 billion has neither been accounted for nor have the workers been paid. Yet the NLC leadership believes such commendations at this struggling time for civil servants is in good faith.
“Our concern is the obvious disconnect between the realities being faced by residents of Ondo state, who have not experienced pipe-borne water in seven years but are told to celebrate the error of a water fountain which obviously the NLC leadership must have found awe-inspiring in its ill-fated commendation”.
The party however advised the leadership of the NLC to always seek the truth from the people it represents before putting undue commendations on rejected governments.
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NLC ultimatum: Ajimobi dares workers
Following the industrial action threatened by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter over five months unpaid worker’s salaries by the state government, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has disclosed that he is not disturbed by the threat, vowing that any workers that goes on strike will not be paid his salary.
He promised not to review the 90 per cent income that is dedicated for the payment of workers salary from Federation Account.
He said the call by the NLC to add the Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) with the 90 per cent income from the federal allocation to pay the workers’ salary will not be possible at the moment.
Ajimobi spoke on Monday at the stakeholders meeting between the state government, Chairman Caretaker committees of 33 council areas in the state and traditional rulers on the economic diversification project held at House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.
The governor said: “It was agreed that about 90 per cent of income accruing from the State’s monthly allocation from the Federation Account should be dedicated to the workers while the remaining ten percent would be deployed to the running of other aspects of governance.”
He noted that till date, the state government has not reneged on the letter and spirit of that agreement, adding that the ultimatum issued by Labour is not only surprising but unnecessary and uncalled-for in the prevailing circumstance.
According to him, government cannot be paying only the 62,000 workers in the state with the money that ought to be used to maintain over 10 million citizens in the state.
“Modern day labour union and government relationship has listed steps that must be taking. Step one is that if you have any concern about anything, there is a joint negotiation committee that is made up of government and workers, you first go there to discuss with them and if after the discussion it does not work then you can go to the next level where the head of service and government will now appoint some people to discuss. It is when negotiations have broken down that labour can give notice of strike actions and not this old time labour government relationship where without discussing you will issue ultimatum to go on strike.
“It is illegal because this is a government where law must be followed and obeyed, not this culture of impunity. It is wrong to give an ultimatum to go on strike without reaching a consensus with the government. We have an agreement, there was a time we use to get close to N5 billion from federal government and our IGR was like N1 billion, now everybody is aware of the Nigeria situation, and now we are having N2 billion plus from federal government.”
He urged the labour leaders to sit down and negotiate with the government, vowing that worker that goes on strike without following due process will not be paid his or her salary.
Speaking on the need for agrarian revolution in the state, Ajimobi said the state is blessed with 28,544 kilometre per square of land, adding that the state has the most fertile land in Southern Nigeria.
He said:” The only way out of the present economic meltdown in the state is through agricultural revolution and that is why we need the support of the traditional rulers, local government chairmen and all the citizens of the state. We shall embark on massive mechanize farm in 28 local government areas with arable lands in the state.
In his remarks, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji appealed to labour leaders not to embark on strike but should be considerate and embrace the condition of the state government.
“The economic situation in the country is not only affecting Oyo State but th country at large. This is why the governor is also going into economic diversification by venturing into agricultural revolution. We shall support him and it will be a success.
Similarly, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III also pledged his support for agricultural development in the state.
Oba Adeyemi also used the opportunity to appeal to labour leaders in the state to avoid industrial action that could lead to confrontation with the state government.
“The government has tried his best allocating 90 per cent of the federal allocation to pay the worker’s salary. The labour leaders only need to be patient and considerate,” he said.
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Labour to El-Rufai: publish names of those aiding ghost workers
The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Kaduna State has urged Governor Nasir El-Rufai to substantiate his claims and publish the names of the workers aiding and abetting ghost workers.It said the call became imperative, considering the huge sum of money alleged to be involved monthly, which was big enough to assist the government in its developmental programmes.
In a statement issued yesterday by Comrades Adamu Ango and Shehu Mohammed, chairman of NLC and TUC, the leaders said union membership was a constitutional issue, which was above the jurisdiction of any state government. “Labour unions will resist any attempt to polarise and create disharmony among their members.”
The leaders said: “No amount of campaign of calumny from any quarter will deter us from demanding our right.”