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Tag: Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)

  • NLC cautions Fed Govt over delay in new wage

    THE delay in the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage, rising insecurity and Federal Government’s plan to divest its 40 per cent stake in the electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), were among the issues discussed on Monday by organised Labour.

    Officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) rose from their National Executive Council (NEC) meeting with a call on the government at all levels to immediately implement of the new national minimum wage.

    They said the government can no longer hide under the protracted negotiation with workers on consequential adjustment to delay the implementation.

    In a communique by its President, Ayuba Wabba and outgoing General Secretary Peter Ozo-Eson, the NLC expressed concern that no tier of the government has implemented the national minimum wage since it was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    According to the congress, the payment of the new wage should commence immediately, effective from the day the New National Minimum Wage was signed by the President.

    On rising insecurity, the Congress resolved to organise a national security summit to discuss and proffer solution.

    The communique reads: “As part of Labour contribution to finding solution to the security challenges in the country, the NLC would convene a national security summit to dispassionately engage the current challenge of insecurity in Nigeria and proffer sustainable solutions.

    “Prior to the proposed Security Summit, the NEC resolved that NLC would hold rallies across Nigeria to sensitise government and citizens on the need to urgently arrest the current drift in security.”

    The NLC noted that the recent confession by a bandit that helicopters dropped weapons for criminals was suggestive of possible collusion between criminal elements and big-time financiers of criminality.

    It also decried the upsurge in insurgent attacks in three local government areas of Gubio, Magumeri and Konduga in Borno State and the villages of Dille, Lassa, Ngurthlavu, Dagu, Yaffa, Maikadiri and Kidlindila in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

    Read Also: NLC begs FG to release Sowore, 26 others

    According to the NLC, the victims of the renewed security breaches have always been workers and defenceless citizens, warning that the trend could impact negatively on the economy if not checked.

    The primary responsibility of government, the NLC said, “is the security of lives and property”. It called on the government at all levels to rein the resurgence in criminality and brigandage.

    “We call for improvement in the quality and quantity of policing deployed for the security of citizens and property and emphasized the need for improved intelligence gathering and the use of technology as being of utmost importance as effective measures in the fight against crime, brigandage and terrorism”, the communique added.

    On electricity, the NLC expressed concern over media reports that the government plans to divest 40 per cent of its shares in DisCos and GenCos, even as it decried persistence power outages.

    Restating its opposition to increase in electricity tariff, the NLC said: “It’s the conviction of the NEC that continuous hike in electricity tariff and persistent power outages present huge financial burden for businesses thus making goods and services produced in Nigeria not to be competitive as goods cum services produced elsewhere.”

     

     

  • Kogi: Labour demands N2.8b outstanding workers’ salary

    CHAIRMAN of the Kogi State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Onuh Edoka, has said that the state government was yet to release the 10 percent of the fund kept aside to offset arrears of state workers’ salary. The arrears, he said, stood at N2.8bn

    Edoka, who doubles as National Vice President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), disclosed this on Saturday in Lokoja, the state capital, during the 14th edition of the North Central zonal conference of the union.

    He said that despite the use of the N30.8 billion bailout for the settlement of salaries by the state government, the union “stands aside” until government fulfills agreements it entered into with labour, adding that the government was yet to release the 10 percent to offset arrears of workers’ salary.

    According to him, “We must appreciate the state government over the bailout. The bailout was effectively used by government. Anyone who harbours contrary opinion should engage the government personally.

    “However, we have declined to make a categorical statement on the usage of the fund, as we should do, because government has not fulfilled all aspects of negotiations it entered with labour before the release of the fund by the CBN.

    “Ten percent of the money was reserved to tackle arrears of salaries, when percentage salary were paid to the state workers.

    “The government promised to pay in instalment from the 10 percent reserved, but they have not commenced. When that is done, we shall come out to make a definite statement.

    Read Also: Head hunter, son killed in Kogi

    “We have computed those months when percentage salaries were paid. What is needed now to offset all arrears of state workers is N2.8 billion,” he said.

    Edoka lamented that local governments were paid 85 percent for three months, contrary to the governor’s directive for complete payment.

    “The percentage payment to council workers was carried out by some of his appointees who are working internally to bring down the government. They have turned local government areas to their handbag, which they carry about, and pick what they want”, he added.

    The Secretary to State Government (SSG), Dr. Folashade Ayoade Arike, assured civil servants of the government’s readiness to implement the minimum wage across board, as soon as the resources of the state improve.

  • Minimum wage: no worker should be cheated, says Wabba

    THE President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba has assured workers, especially those in the states and local government, the group will do everything to ensure that they are not short-changed in any way in the payment of the new national minimum wage.

    Wabba who spoke in an interview in Abuja  on Thursday also lashed out at the Chairman of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, Chief Richard Egbulue for deliberately stirring controversy that labour leaders were delaying the implementation of the minimum wage.

    Wabba who was reacting to media reports quoting on the implementation of the minimum wage wondered how workers and their leaders who have been agitating for the implementation of the wages would be the ones delaying its implementation.

    He said: “Despite the fact that the NLC and TUC are not directly driving the process of consequential adjustment, the process is ongoing. This morning, the report I read from the joint Public Service Negotiating Council is that they are meeting and if there is any stalemate, we will be informed and we will step in to assist them.

    “I think they have also made the details of their discussions public. So, for anybody on that table to come out and say Labour is delaying the process is not saying the obvious.

    “Workers are becoming more concerned and we are becoming concerned because a process must have an end for workers to benefit from the system. How can a worker or union who is at the receiving end be said to be delaying the process? For us, we wanted this money to be in the pocket of workers long before now.”

    He said he got across to the unions and they have told him what the process is on and that they have not delayed the process in any way. According to him, what they want is to ensure that it is a win-win situation and that what is added is not just peanuts, but should take into consideration some of the challenges the workers are  passing through in the last eight years, especially the cost of goods and services.

    “Let the increase be commensurate with the challenges. That is what the Joint Councils is trying to do and if they have challenges, they will revert to us,”he said.

    Read Also: Minimum wage battle is not over, says Wabba

    On arrears of the minimum wage will be paid to workers when the implementation finally commences, he said the effective date remained the one signed by President Muhammadu Buhari. “I am not aware of any change in that. What I am aware of is that it become effective the day it becomes a law and that is what we rely on,” Wabba said.

    Reminded of the concerns from workers in the state as a result of the attitude of some of the stage governors, Wabba said: “From the perspective of labour, we will work assiduously with all our state councils and all our structures to make sure no worker is surcharged in any way.

    “That is the commitment that we will all try to make. People would want to conserve resources, but I think that we must realise the centrality of the challenge the workers have passed through especially with the high cost of goods and services and the lack of purchasing power.”

    He however described the youths of any nation as its assets, stressing that more opportunities should be created for them by the government to excel

    He said: “Most times, we complain that we are not doing well because our youth population is on the high side. But we have seen many countries around the world that have population more than our own and are doing well. So, what I think is lacking is for us to plan the more.

    “We know that our population growth is around three per cent. That means that we have to plan to accommodate the population increase. We should not lament and use that as an excuse.

    “In fact, the population should be seen as an asset. I just came back from Japan where they are complaining of an aging population and are praying to have a youthful population. That is to tell you that it is the youthful population that will be able to make the difference.”

  • NLC/TUC: We have no plan for mass action

    Nigeria’s two registered Labour centers, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, have disowned any plan by groups to embark on mass action, saying no issue had arisen to warrant such action.

    President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, and his TUC counterpart, Quadri Olaleye, said in separate press statements made available to newsmen in Abuja that before any action is embarked upon, any issue in contention must first be discussed by the various organs of the Congress.

    Wabba said while congress respect the right of individuals to freely protest against any policy they disagree with, appropriate organs of the Congress were yet to discuss any issue of mass action.

    The NLC statement reads: “We would wish to inform our members/affiliate unions, civil society allies and the general public that the Nigeria Labour Congress is neither organising nor getting associated with any mass action or street protest over any issue  in any part or every  part of the country in the days ahead.

    “Before we embark on any mass action or street protest, the issue(s) in contestation must first be thoroughly debated by the appropriate organs of the Congress.

    “Similarly, the decision to do a mass action or any form of protest is usually taken by those organs.

    “Accordingly, we wish to state unambiguously that neither has such an issue arisen nor a debate for a mass action taken place, let alone a decision to proceed on a mass action.

    “We are therefore not involved in any street protest. Nonetheless, Congress respects the right of the citizenry to freely associate and hold an opinion, and to peacefully protest against any policy or policies with which they disagree.”

    On its part, the TUC said it was not in any league with any group for a mass action in any part of the country, adding that it was not aware of any issue with any government agency that has not been subjected to social dialogue that would warrant a mass action.

    Read Also: NLC seeks power sector privatisation review

    The TUC said: “The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) wishes to inform the general public that it has no planned mass action or street protest in the country for now. It also states unequivocally that it is in not in league with any group whatsoever for any mass action in any part of the country.

    “It further states that there are no issues in contention with any public authority that has not been subjected to social dialogue that will now require extra ordinary means or action to resolve.

    “The Congress further states that if such issues arise, the Labour Centre will go through its internal mechanism to procure authority for such an action, bearing in mind that its organs must be properly briefed and thorough debates will be undertaken before the organs can give approval.

    “In this case no issue has arisen, no organ has been summoned, and no debate has been undertaken, therefore no such decisions has been taken.

    “TUC however holds the opinion that any group or groups reserve the right to express themselves in any manner they deem fit taking into cognisance the laws of the land.

    “TUC remains committed to the corporate existence of this country in which all manner of people enjoy the right of citizenship”.

  • Fed Govt, Labour minimum wage talks deadlocked

    The minimum wage battle is far from being over, despite the signing of the bill into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have not agreed on the implementation of the wage structure.

    Workers on levels 01-06 will automatically enjoy the N30, 000 minimum wage, but the Federal Government is yet to accede to Labour’s demands for workers from levels 07-17 and above.

    A fresh negotiation, which was held yesterday in Abuja, got stuck as both parties failed to agree on wage percentage.

    The deadlock  has also delayed the payment of the N30,000 to junior workers in the Federal Civil Service.

    But workers in the 36 states have to wait a little longer to benefit from the new wage because the outcome of national negotiation will serve as a template for  bargaining with governors.

    The two parties have, however, decided to reconvene for talks on August 14 and 15.

    The Federal Government only asked labour to come with “an open mind”  to the next meeting.

    President Muhammadu Buhari on April 18, 2019 assented to the new National Minimum Wage Bill.

    Barely four months after, the implementation of the wage policy has been stalled because the government and labour could not reach a compromise at the negotiation table.

    Investigation by The Nation revealed that  the Federal Government and labour’s Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council resumed negotiation behind closed doors for about four hours yesterday in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

    The government’s 10-man team was led by a Permanent Secretary in OSGF, Adekunle Lawal. Labour’s 10 negotiating leaders were headed by Comrade Simon Achebe, who is the acting chairman of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council.

    Read Also: New Minimum wage: Katsina to engage state NLC

    It was gathered that the basic disagreement centred on the percentage of wage increase for workers on levels 07-17.

    Labour insisted on  29% wage increase for those on levels 07 to 14 and 24% for top civil servants on levels 15-17.

    The government’s team insisted on 9.5% to 10% for workers on levels 7-14 and 5% to 5.5% for levels 15 to 17.

    A source, who who pleaded not to be named, said: “Again, the negotiation by the two parties was not far-reaching at all. Labour only made 1% concession from 30% increase for levels 07 to 14 to 29%. Also, it shifted from its demand for 25% wage increase for workers from levels 15- 17 to 24%.

    “The Federal Government stuck to its offers of 9.5% to 10% for workers on levels 7-14 and 5% to 5.5% for levels 15 to 17.

    “After about four hours, there was no headway. The government’s team advised labour to “come with an open mind” to the next meeting.

    “The meeting was deadlocked. The two parties will reconvene on August 14 and 15 for resumption of negotiation.”

    Asked of what becomes of the negotiation at the state level, a labour source said: “Nothing concrete can be done now because the outcome of the talks at the federal level will serve as a template for negotiation in the 36 states.

    “It is after the conclusion of our negotiation that the Joint Negotiating Council in each state will have to open discussions with state governors on percentage increase across board.

    “labour has directed its state chapters to await the final outcome with the Federal Government before beginning talks with state governments. So, no implementation of minimum wage yet in the 36 states.”

    Workers on levels 01-06 at the Federal Level have not been paid the new wage.

    “Junior workers with the Federal Government have not been paid N30, 000 minimum wage, “a member of the negotiating council said.

    Item 34 of the Second Schedule gives the National Assembly powers to “prescribe a national minimum wage for the Federation or any part thereof.”

    The struggle for a new minimum wage has been a major issue since 1978.

    The past minimum wages are: N125 (1981) by ex-President Shehu Shagari; N250 (1989/1990) by ex-President Ibrahim Babangida; N3, 000 (1998) by ex-Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar; N5, 500(2000) by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo; and N18, 000 (2011) by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the N30,000 minimum wage.

    The Labour Act of 2004 states that any establishment which employs fewer than 50 workers does not have by abide to the National minimum wage.

  • Nigeria seeks Uniglobal’s support for new minimum wage implementation

    Organized Labour is partnering the global labour body, Uniglobal, for the implementation of the new minimum wage.

    Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Ayuba Wabba, made this known at the opening ceremony of the 21st Uni-Africa executive committee meeting in Lagos.

    He said the major problem facing workers was the government’s refusal to implement the new wage.

    Wabba, represented by NLC General Secretary, Peter Ozo-Eson, lamented that it took members of the labour movement three years to negotiate the minimum wage, which implementation was being stalled by the adjustment of the salary scales.

    Wabba, who is also the International Trade Union Congress (ITUC), said: “We must be ready for the struggle ahead and would require the support of Uniglobal in that struggle.”

    Trade Union Congress (TUC) President, Comrade Quadri Olaleye, urged Uniglobal to make issues affecting workers in Africa their major concern.

    “The world of work is taking a new shape and workers’body like Uniglobal needs to impress on government and employers to have human face in their policies,” he said.

    The Secretary-General, Uniglobal, Christine Hofman, who said the meeting was her first in Africa after her election last year and her first time to visit Nigeria, condemned the fact that workers had continued to struggle to win at the bargaining table or bargain at all.

    Hofman, who said membership of the global union cut across all spheres of human endeavour, also lamented what she described as shameful inequality of income and wealth.

    Read Also: TUC rejects FG circular on minimum wage implementation

    “In fact, did you know that only 28 people own half of the world’s wealth?  It will take all of us pulling together to fix these problems. And at UNI we are doing our best to play a role to turn the tide for workers,” she said.

    She stated that Uniglobal was committed to the International Labour Organisation declaration, which sees a future with social justice, human centered future, with workers and social dialogue at the core.

    She maintained that it was through organising and union power that workers’ groups can break the resistance of the multinationals and other local companies in the protection of workers right.

    “It is on all of our shoulders to safeguard dignity at work, to hold big employers accountable, to win our fair share, and to make the world a better place. We are stronger together. Together we can change the world,” she said.

    Earlier, Oyinkan Olasanoye, the  Association of Banks Insurance and Financial Institutions(ASSBIFI) President, who is also a member of the executive committee of Uniglobal Africa and the convener, said Nigeria was hosting the event for the first time in 21 years.

    She reasoned that some African countries and others outside the continent had the misconception that Nigeria was bedeviled with insecurity, which was the more reason they were invited to the country to correct the views.

    “Now that you have been here and seen things for yourself, the next time you come into the country, we will be able to shower you with more Nigerian hospitality and take you around to places of cultural interest,” she said.

  • NLC tasks lawmakers on quality representation

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ondo State council, has urged lawmakers in the newly inaugurated 9th Assembly in the state to enact bills that would bring  quality representation to their people.

    This  appeal is contained in a press statement issued on Sunday in Akure by the  state Chairman of the NLC, Mr Sunday Adeleye to congratulate the lawmakers.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 9th Assembly was inaugurated last Monday.

    Adeleye said that  the lawmakers as the direct representatives of the people should  work hard to give quality representation through the  passage into laws of  bills that would impact positively on the people of the state.

     

    “NLC believes that the re-election of the Speaker, Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun and his Deputy, Hon. Ogundeji Iroju as presiding officers of the Assembly is a clear indication that they will act as the  bridge between the government and the people.

    “The Congress urges the lawmakers to regularly visit and interact with their constituents for them  to understudy  their challenges and how government can address such,” he said.

    Adeleye also  urged  the 9th assembly to always  interface with  the relevant stakeholders, including the organised labour unions  on how to move the state forward.

    “It  stressed the need for the new parliamentarians to pay more attention to their oversight functions as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    Read Also: NLC accuses Ngige of intimidating Organised Labour

    “It is the opinion of the NLC that such will put the executive arm on their toes to implement laws and budgetary provisions passed by the Assembly for the benefit of the masses.

    ” The  union also  appeals to the  lawmakers to take labour friendly decisions that will motivate and enhance the productivity of the state workforce.

    “The Assembly should give maximum support to Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to implement the new minimum wage of N30,000 in the state.

    “The workers’ union also advises the Assembly of the need to develop a smooth working relationship with Gov. Akeredolu and be guided by the principle of checks and balance in government.”

    It  wished  the new lawmakers a successful tenure.

  • NLC accuses Ngige of intimidating Organised Labour

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the Minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige of intimidating and harassing Organised labour with a view to running them under ground in the country.

    Its President Comrade Ayuba Wabba said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja that it was aware the NLC was aware of a directive from the office of the Minister to officers of the Ministry to look for ways of dealing with organised labour as a result of its recent confrontation over the board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

    Wabba said as part of the plan to deal with organised Labour, the ministry has asked the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) to submit its statement of account for the year 2018 to the Registrar of trade unions within 72 hours in contravention of the law which stipulate 30 days for such request.

    Wabba said the Congress was the initial target of the directive, but when they failed to get anything to hold down the leadership of the NLC, the Ministry turned its search light on NUPENG who were party to the fight to validate the appointment of Frank Kokori as chairman of the NSITF board.

    “The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), an affiliate of the NLC has intimated us of the continued harassment, intimidation, victimization and persecution of its members and the leadership of the union by the Ministry of Labour under the watch of Dr. Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment.

    “NUPENG received a letter from the Office of the Minister of Labour dated 13th May 2019 with Reference No: ITU/FR/45/VII/15 requesting NUPENG to submit its 2018 Annual Financial Return within seventy-two (72) hours to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

    “We wish to state that the directive by Dr. Chris Ngige for NUPENG to submit its Annual Financial Return within seventy-two (72) hours is in gross violation of Section 40 of the Trade Union (Amendment) Act 2005 and therefore an exercise in illegality and lawlessness.”

    Wabba said that section 40 of the Trade Union (Amendment) Act states that “Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this Part of this Act, the Registrar may at any time call upon the treasurer, the committee of management or any other official of a registered body to prepare and submit to him within A PERIOD OF THIRTY DAYS from the date of the call letter detailed accounts of the funds of the body in respect of any particular period; and any accounts submitted under this section shall show in detail such information as the Registrar may direct, and shall, if the Registrar so directs, be audited by the duly appointed auditor before being submitted to the Registrar”.

    According to him, “In view of the above quoted provisions of the Trade Union Act which the Minister of Labour and Employment is under oath to protect and defend, we wish to unequivocally posit that the cruel urgency communicated in his letter suggests only one thing – unveiled desperation to disorganize and destroy trade unionism in Nigeria.

    Read Also: ‘NLC invasion of Ngige’s home criminal’

    “It is also not a coincidence that this is coming on the heels of our recent protests against the activities of the Minister of Labour and Employment to undermine organized labour and trade unions in Nigeria.

    “We wish to remind the Minister that the right to protest and picketing are guaranteed by Section 40 of the Nigerian constitution, Section 43 of the Trade Union (Amendment) Act and Conventions 98 and 78 of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

    “Article 2, part 1 of the ILO Convention 98 explicitly forbids government and employers from meddling in the affairs of trade unions, providing that ´Workers’ and employers’ organizations shall enjoy adequate protection against any acts of interference by each other or each other’s agents or members in their establishment, functioning or administration.´

    “We are privy to the fact that shortly after our last protest, a directive was issued from the office of the Minister of Labour to officers in the Ministry of Labour and Employment to fish for grounds on which to deal decisively with organized Labour. We understand that the Nigeria Labour Congress is the primary target in the current overdrive to run trade unionism in Nigeria underground.

    “It was only when the fishing expedition failed to grab anything against the Nigeria Labour Congress that the hunters turned their barrels on NUPENG. This attitude of vindictiveness is not only unbecoming of “the only competent Authority on Labour matters” but also uncivilized, ungentlemanly, undemocratic, uncut and unpolished.

    “Unfortunately, even the most despicable dictators in global annals have never descended to this low of shameful abuse of public office and trust to hound, persecute and terrorize innocent workers, national labour centres and their affiliate unions.

    “It is highly disgusting that this behaviour is coming from a so-called democrat who has had the privilege of seeking public acquiescence especially the votes of workers while contesting for the position of the governor of a state.

    “Given that the intention of the Minister’s recent directive is aimed at achieving narrow, petty and selfish ends, we demand the withdrawal of Dr. Chris Ngige’s letter to NUPENG dated May 13, 2019, Ref. No. ITU/FR/45/VII/15. We also call for a public apology from the Minister of Labour for yet another round of assault on organized labour in Nigeria.

    “Furthermore, we demand that the Minister of Labour and Employment publicly guarantees that he would desist from further harassment, victimization and persecution of workers, our trade unions and the two labour centres in Nigeria. We do not wish that the current fragile industrial peace in our country collapses completely on the account of endless provocations by the Minister of Labour and Employment.”

  • ‘NLC invasion of Ngige’s home criminal’

    The National President of the National Complementary and Alternative Medical Association (NACAMA), Prof Peter Katchy, has condemned the recent attack on the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, by officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    He described the invasion on the minister’s home and threat to his life as illegal and criminal.

    Speaking in an audience participatory programme on Anambra State Broadcasting Service, Katchy argued that the approach was not only alien to labour laws but was an front on the nation.

    According to him, the NLC’s threat to subject Ngige to international ridicule is a wrong step towards achieving its goals.

    He said: “The NLC’s attacks on the minister, including the recent invasion of his private residence in Abuja, which was supposedly to pressure the minister to inaugurate Chief Frank Kokori as the chairman of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), was a lawless action.”

    Katchy urged relevant authorities to call the NLC and its President Ayuba Wabba to order or face the wrath of patriotic citizens who would no longer tolerate what he called labour’s endless impasse.

    The NACAMA president argued that Wabba had no power to query any appointment by Mr. President on the recommendation of the minister.

    He said: “The NLC action is unknown to extant Nigerian and international labour laws guiding trade disputes and grievances.

    “The illegal invasion in the guise of picketing the private residence of Dr. Ngige at 2 a.m, blocking his entrance gate with petrol-laden tanker, is highly condemnable and should not be allowed in the country.

    “The appointment of any qualified Nigerian into a political office at the Federal level is the prerogative of the President or by the recommendation of the supervisory minister; in this case, the Minister of Labour and Employment.

    “The provision of Section 4(1) (a) of the 1993 NSITF Act vests the sole power to make recommendation for the appointment of the chairman of the board of NSITF on the President on the advice of the Minister of Labour and Employment.

    “The NLC invaders claimed that they were beaten by security operatives during the protest. But I will tell them that they deserved more than mere beating because their action was illegal and criminal.”

  • ILO to work out just transition for workers

    Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba has said the challenge technology poses to workers has made it expedient for labour to negotiate just transition for workers across the globe.

    Wabba, a member of the Governing Board of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), spoke at a preparatory conference for Nigerian delegation to the 108th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

    The labour leader noted that conventional workers were daily facing a major challenge of job loss, hence the need to find a soft landing for workers and a middle way to ensure social protection for those who may lose their jobs.

    He said this challenge is one of the major issues that will be discussed during the conference which is expected to be attended by delegation about 180 countries of the world.

    According to him, the report of report of the global commission on the future of work which chronicled these challenges is one of the major report that will be discussed as part of the centenary initiatives.

    He said: “Whether we like it or not, there are new changes in the world of work. Apart from the issue of climate change, there is the threat of technology with many people working from their houses. They don’t need to go the office any longer.

    Read Also: ILO to work out just transition for workers

    “There are so many things happening in the world of work and so, we must canvass for just transition from where we are going into the digital world. Therefore, workers will certainly be affected. These are the issues that we want our people to be involved in and gain knowledge and share experience because these committees are going to be tripartite. “

    “They will hear from other countries and governments. With all these, we will be building the capacity of Nigerian workers and trade union movement to be able to fit into the future of work. Importantly is look at what will be the future of work in the context of Nigeria.

    “We can clearly see the changing demography in Nigeria, we can also see the informal sector expanding by the day and the shrinking of the formal sector. So, we need to provide some social security cover for this category of workers especially for them to be unionised. The only panacea for decent work for them is for them to unionise.”