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Tag: Nigeria Labour Congress

  • NUPTE expresses concern over proliferation of labour unions

    The Nigerian Union of Postal Telecommunication Employees (NUPTE) on Thursday expressed concern over the proliferation of labour unions in the country, saying that the Federal Government allowed.

    NUPTE President, Mr Sunday Alhassan, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the Ministry of Labour and Employment should be blamed for the proliferation.

    Alhassan said that it has been observed that more unions are springing out of the sector whereas the same unions already exist and this was causing problems in various unions.

    “The Trade Union Act, Cap 1, Cap. T, 14, of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004, Section 3, 2, provides, that no trade union shall be registered or represent workers or employers in a place where there already exist a trade union. That is the law.

    “What we have discovered is that as at today the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment for whatever reason, is busy registering other unions in the sector where unions already exist.

    “The labour leaders are supposed to have seen this as a calculated attempt to weaken the system of the labour movement.

    “Because there are a lot of unions that have applied for registration and already, they exist.

    “I do not understand what somebody mean by Senior Staff Association of Road Transport Workers. But these are applications before the registrar of Trade Union, ” he said.

    Alhassan, however, noted that the proliferation of the labour unions was a calculated attempt to weaken the system of the labour movement in the country.

    He said that the Trade Union Congress and the Nigeria Labour Congress were strongly against the development.

    “Every serious minded labour leader in this country, who has the interest of the Nigerian workers and the masses at heart will not canvass for the proliferation of industrial unions and labour centres.

    “Why, because, in unity, we can stand with strength but when we are divided the government knows how to use the tool of divide and rule,” he said.

    The NUPTE president noted that the lack of cooperation in labour movement had delayed the new minimum wage.

    Alhassan also appealed to labour leaders to have a rethink by ensuring that personal interest, ego, among others should be put aside in order to achieve the struggle for workers’ welfare.

    However, a reliable source, who spoke on condition of anonymity from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, told NAN that the allegation of proliferation of labour unions was not true.

    She said that the NUPTE president was complaining due to a fresh registration right that was given to the Private Telecommunication and Communication Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.

    She said the association was given the registration to manage the affairs of the senior staff in the sector, while NUPTE would continue to take charge of the junior staff.

    “What initiate this move was that there were two unions vying for the membership in that sector, so they went to court and the judge rule against the unions.

    “The judgment was that another union should be registered to take care of those categories of workers, so that is how the registration of that union came about.

    “I want to assure you that we followed the rules and regulations of the Trade Union Act of 2004 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she added.

    Dr Peter Eson-Ozo, General Secretary, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), also told NAN that the process of registration should take cognizance of the category of workers in a particular sector before any resgistration.

    Eson-Ozo said that this was imperative as any attempt to register another union would lead to unnecessary proliferation.

    “Well as of today, all we have canvassed for is that, the rule should be applied in the process of registering any new union,” he said.

    He said that the labour movement would continue to work with the ministry to ensure that aspect of the law was not violated.

  • NLC to collaborate with Amnesty International

    NLC to collaborate with Amnesty International

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), says it will collaborate with Amnesty International to promote the rights of vulnerable groups across the country.

    President of NLC, Mr Ayuba Wabba, stated this during a solidarity visit to the Amnesty International in Abuja on Monday.

    Wabba said this had become imperative as rights of Nigerians, especially vulnerable groups such as women, children and the less privileged, were being trampled upon.

    “I want to assure you of the support of NLC and the working class because as workers, our rights have been trampled upon several times.

    “You are aware of the fact that across the states, salaries, pension and gratuity are not being paid as at when due. This is a violation of the rights of workers.

    “Therefore, we need to stand side by side with organisations like Amnesty International to continue to protect the most vulnerable groups against the powerful and the rich in the society.

    “We have documented some of these challenges that our people have gone through’’, Wabba said.

    Wabba added that NLC would continue to partner with them in the fight for social justice, corruption, good governance, accountability and in the dignity of the human being.

    Wabba condemned the protest by the Global Peace and Rescue Initiative (GOPRI), at the office of the Amnesty International in Abuja on March 21.

    He said Amnesty International was an organisation known globally and had worked extensively on human rights in many countries.

    “For such issues to arise, especially the hiring of people to come and protest in this office is something that we condemn as organised labour.

    “I really sympathise with you on what has happened, certainly Nigerians are already aware that this was a sponsored protest.

    “It is something that is condemnable, we should not allow those business persons that have actually privatised protest as a means of getting money to continue in the business’’, he added.

    Wabba urged them not to relent in ensuring that human rights, social justice for the less privileged, among others, were continually promoted.

    He said there was need for the organised labour and its civil society allies to continue to build a strong network with the Amnesty International.

    “It is very clear that the people who came were on a very destructive mission. They want to destroy the image and the credibility of civil society organisations, but I am happy none of them was associated with that scam.

    “It is actually a scam, a rented group; that is why they ended up fighting themselves over the small amount of money promised by their sponsors.

    “They want to institutionalise the culture of impunity and they are getting worried that the era of impunity is over, they will account for their actions’’, Wabba said.

    Wabba assured that the NLC would not stop the struggle to ensure better living for the workforce adding that it would continue to collaborate with the organised labour to carry out humanitarian services.

    Mr Auwal Rafasanjani, Chairman Trustee, Amnesty International Nigeria, commended the NLC for the solidarity visit.

    Rafasanjani said Amnesty International was a reputable organisation that worked on accountability.

     

  • Amputate those who stole our money – NLC

    Amputate those who stole our money – NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has  asked the  government to cut off the hands of those found to have stolen public funds to serve as deterrent for others while also naming and shaming them.
    Addressing a protest rally for good governance at the Unity Fountain in Abuja, President of Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said it was unfortunate that a few individuals have stolen the nation’s common wealth, while nothing has been done to bring them to book.
    Wabba said government must take concrete steps to prove to the world that it was serious win the fight against corruption and recover all stolen money, including the 22 billion dollars not remitted to the federation account from sale of oil and gas.
    He said when the hands of such people are amputated, Nigerians will be able to identify them as those who stole public funds and who are responsible for the current economic recession in the country.
    He said: “We must not allow a situation where few, because of their interest will hold the system to ransom. We are demanding increase in electricity supply and they are saying pay more tariff. We are demanding increase in minimum wage and they say they are going to be paying in percentage. We should not be tired.
    “Why should somebody steal one billion naira and walk the street free. We are demanding that they should be named and shamed. We are also demanding that one of their hands be cut off so that when we see them, we will know that they are people that has stolen our money.
    “So, let us not be tired. Not to pay salaries  and pensions is criminal. Not to increase our wages in this condition is corruption  and so, we must demand good governance and support the fight against corruption.”
    According to Wabba: “It is obvious that what we are doing today is in our collect interest. As working class and our families and as Nigerians, we must always make our voice know and heard very clearly.
    “Today, with what is happening in our system, we are actually at the receiving end because there is near absence of good governance and corruption is also fighting back very badly and we have been at the receiving end. Instead of addressing those challenges and paying salaries, what the are doing in some states is paying salaries in percentages.
    “The height of this challenge is the absence of good governance, accountability, transparency and the rule of law, any system that does not have those ingredients, the first group that will suffer is the working class and their families and the citizens.
    “That is why we are matching to canvass for good governance and also to lend our voice to saying that the fight against corruption must continue. If you look at the NEITI report, it states clearly that unremitted fund from the sale of oil and gas amount to another 22 billion dollars.”
    Vice President of Industrial Global Union and General Secretary of National Union of Textiles, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, comrade Issa Aremu said everything Labour warned Nigerians against during the fuel pride increase in 2016 has come to pass, but expressed happiness that Nigerians have decided to come out and demand accountability from the government.
    Aremu said the only way to get the country out of the current recession was for the government to reflate the economy and pay adequate salary to workers, pointing out that without payment of salaries and allowances to workers, the fight against corruption will not succeed.

  • Ortom debunks rumour of workers retrenchment

    Ortom debunks rumour of workers retrenchment

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has dismissed widespread rumour that his administration was planning to downsize the state’s workforce because of economic constraints.

    Governor Ortom who stated this while fielding questions from journalists at the end  of the meeting he held with officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE  and affiliate unions at Benue Peoples House, Makurdi, said the  meeting addressed the problem of non-payment of salaries.

    Governor Ortom said the difficulties he has faced in paying salaries arose as a result of the dwindling allocation to the state which dropped to N1.3 billion and explained that the allocation was too meager to meet the challenges confronting the state.

    He maintained that Benue workers contributed immensely to his emergence as governor, and reiterated that he has no intention to downsize the workforce even in the face of economic challenges.

    “I am not thinking of downsizing the workforce for now, we are thinking of industrializing the state so that even civil servants can go into the industries and forget about civil service; workers in Benue state are part of me, they contributed immensely in making me governor, and there is no way I will toy with their welfare,” he added.

    He said, the only way the state can wriggle out of the quagmire is to borrow money to offset the backlog of unpaid salaries of workers who are the ‘drivers of the economy’.

    In separate interviews, the state Chairman of NLC, Comrade Godwin Anya, as well as his NULGE and TUC counterparts, urged the state governor to obtain more loans to clear workers’ salaries.

    “I support the idea that the governor should borrow money again to clear workers’ salaries because as long as we live, we cannot die because there is no money, so, if it means borrowing one hundred times, NLC will agree that government should go ahead and borrow”, Anya said.

    On his part, the state NULGE Chairman, Mr. Terungwa Igbe, also supported the move to obtain another loan to pay workers, stressing that local government workers needed to be paid.

  • Full text of President Buhari’s May Day Speech

    Full text of President Buhari’s May Day Speech

    SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER – IN – CHIEF, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE 2016 NATIONAL MAY DAY CELEBRATION HELD AT THE EAGLE SQUARE, ABUJA ON SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2016

    Great Nigerian Workers!
    Great Nigerian Workers!
    I bring you greetings.

    It is with great pleasure that I honour the invitation by the two Federations of Trade Unions, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to attend the 2016 National May Day celebrations. As you all know, this is my first outing in this forum which has a long and historical tradition that are noble and progressive. The efforts of all the heroes past who had fought for the workers of all nations to have a ‘voice’ in determining the course and direction of both national and international issues affecting the state of their being, are commemorated today, the first day of May all over the world. Labour remains unarguably an important element in any policy, programme and project propagated for national development.

    This year’s celebration is significant in a number of ways. First, it marks the first May Day celebration under the All Progressive Congress (APC) Administration which brought an end to the sixteen (16) years of national squander, bad governance, unbridled corruption and economic woes by the previous administration. Second, it is coming at a time when the whole world is experiencing some form of economic crisis or the other.

    For us whose main foreign exchange comes from oil, the global decline in the price of oil has further exacerbated our economic crisis. The resultant effects of this are noticeable in government dwindling resources, reduction in operational capacities of most companies especially in the Oil and Gas Sector, threats of workforce reduction by multinationals and the escalations of volatility amongst others. These developments no doubts, have socio-economic implications for the economy as well as the working class. I therefore appreciate the theme you have chosen for this year’s National May Day celebration – The Working Class and the Quest for Socio – Economic Revival. A quest it is, and the realization of the revival is not far fetched. It only requires a reasonable time to remedy the mal-administration and put forth a change so desired by all of us.

    I make no excuses as this Government of the APC is determined to tackle headlong all socio – economic ills that have troubled our nation and we shall evolve solutions to emerging threats to our well being and the realization of sustainable development as well as growth anchored on equity and social justice.

    Development must be sustainable for it to benefit society in general. It is therefore the responsibility of those in the citadels of power to align themselves with the working class who make development possible by generating and sustaining the momentum of positive change. That is why the present Administration has sought and will continue to seek the hands of Labour so that together we can attain the enviable heights of progress in our beloved country.

    It is for this very reason that I aspired to become President which the Nigerian people have now made a reality. This Administration shall effect positive Change in the lives of average Nigerians, to ensure that the downtrodden are elevated and most importantly to fight the intense pain of corruption which has enriched the very few to the detriment of the majority of Nigerians who groan under the overwhelming weight of poverty and all the superstructural and infrastructural maladies resulting from corruption.

    In this fight against corruption, I need you all to be very willing partners. Fighting corruption in the Public Service in particular, requires the workers to play major roles by cooperating with the Government.
    I have listened to the speeches made by both the Presidents of the TUC and NLC. By the speeches, you have without any equivocation affirmed your faith in the greatness of Nigeria as a nation. The challenges facing Nigeria have been highlighted and I assure you that they shall be accorded due consideration. It is worthy to note that solution to some of those issues and requests are already being considered and would be made public in the near future. The times may be tough, but we Nigerians are by nature resilient and strong and it is that nature that propels us to overcome adversities and still thrive as a nation.

    Let us use this National May Day to celebrate the workers and Nigeria as a Nation. There will always be challenges in the life of a man and what defines greatness is the way and manner such challenges are tackled and overcome. I assure you, great Nigerian workers that this Administration is able and willing to constructively handle the challenges.

    In so doing, I request your cooperation and understanding, as partners in progress. The need to ensure a conducive atmosphere devoid of incessant industrial actions becomes paramount to ensure no loss of man – days and accordingly promote high productivity, which is perquisite for sustainable development based on increased investments, creation of jobs as well as protection of jobs. I further assure you that working together, this Administration protect workers’ rights and shall promote incentives for great productivity and hence greater prosperity.

    Thank you and I wish you all happy May Day celebrations.
    God Bless.

  • Minimum Wage: Labour urges FG to set up tripartite committee

    Minimum Wage: Labour urges FG to set up tripartite committee

    Nigeria’s organised labour on Sunday in Abuja called on the Federal Government to constitute a tripartite committee for the upward review of the proposed N56,000 new National Minimum Wage.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) made the call at the 2016 May Day celebration with the theme: “Working Class and The Quest for Socio-Economic Revival’’’.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) had on Tuesday submitted a formal proposal of N56,000 new National Minimum Wage to the Federal Government.

    Wabba said that the tripartite committee should comprise government; Federal and State, NECA, the organised private sector, and labour to begin the negotiations.

    “During the last May Day, we had stated that as soon as the new government to be sworn in on May 29, 2015 settled down, we would table a proposal for a new National Minimum Wage demand.
    “The National Minimum Wage Act which former President Jonathan signed into law in April 2011 has a five year re-opener clause for new negotiations to review the new minimum wage.

    “In fulfillment of the above provision, we recently submitted a N56,000 proposal as new minimum wage to the Federal Government.

    “Our proposal of N56,000 is just N4,000 more than the figure we put out for negotiation in December 2008, which was N52,000.

    “This represents our awareness about the prevailing economic situation in the country,’’ he said.

    Also speaking, the TUC President, Mr Bobbio Kaigama said the present economic hardship and its attendant effects on workers had made nonsense of the National Minimum Wage of N18,000.

    He said that the N18,000 National Minimum Wage had been operational for over five years and called for an upward review of the existing minimum wage to N56,000.

    “This has become necessary as the present one formally lapsed on 24th March, 2016.

    “Indeed, even before we submitted our proposal, we had expected the Federal Government to appoint a committee to handle the issue.

    “We anticipate that no state governor would dare claim that his state cannot afford the increase.

    “Each state government should be proactive and look inwards to the state’s bountiful alternative sources of income rather than relying only on statutory monthly allocations from the federation account.”

    He called on the Federal Government to start the negotiation for a new National Minimum Wage, adding that any further delay would be counterproductive.

  • NUEE to FG: Expose sponsors of pipeline vandalism

    The Nigeria Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), have tasked the federal government to fish out sponsors and masterminds behind pipeline vandalism in the country.

    Comrade Joe Ajaero, factional President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said this Thursday at the 3rd Triennial Conference held at Wallan Hotel, Ibadan.

    According to him, power plants in Nigeria are gas-fired thermal plants and inadequate gas supply has largely been responsible for the suboptimal performance of the plants.

    “30 years ago till now we are still talking about vandals and no solutions to it. Who are those people breaking pipelines?, and when they do the government will award contract for it to be fixed again. Why can’t government identify who is breaking it and how much is been used to repair it again?

    “Let government come out to tell us how much they are using to repair broken pipelines and who are the sponsors of pipeline vandalism? When these questions are answered then there will be solution to it. Nigeria is one of the countries that is suffering from power poverty because the international best practice is that for where you have one million you must have 1,000 Megawatts, but here we have 3,000 Megawatts for 170 million people.”

    The union boss said he has great respect for President Muhammadu Buhari and believes he will not play politics with the power situation in the country.

    He described the promise by President Buhari to generate 10,000 Megawatts of electricity generation as unrealistic.

    Ajaero said:” Does he take 10,000 Megawatts as a figure or it was base on what was on ground?, because the gestation period for any power plant is between three to four years and if they have not started building anyone now how will that be possible?.

    “I have not seen construction of power plants to the tune of 10,000 Megawatts, even if it is been built I have not see the transmission network and half of the transformer are bad presently.

    “I have once challenged the Minister for Information, Lai Mohammed to a debate as the spokesperson of the government to address Nigerians on how why we are not having power and how they aim to solve power problem in the country. We need to know their policy base on power, because Nigerians needs to know how the government intends to resolve the problem.”

     

  • Workers in Taraba commence 3-day warning strike

    Organised labour in Taraba on Wednesday, commenced three-day warning strike over illegal salary deductions, omissions and non-payment of primary school teachers.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Solomon Obaji, Secretary, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Alhaji Tukur Taji, Secretary, Trade Union Congress (TUC), and issued to newmen in Jalingo.

    The statement criticised the state government for being `insensitive’ to the sufferings of its workers and pensioners.

    “Government has failed to address the abnormalities, ranging from underpayment of salaries, omission of genuine workers from salary vouchers, removal of approved allowances and non payment of teachers salaries,” it stated.

    When contacted, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Anthony Danburam, said that government was holding meetings with the labour leaders with a view to resolving the matter.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) checks showed that workers complied with the directive of their leaders on the issue as all the offices in the state secretariat in Jalingo were locked.

     

  • Photo: Rally against corruption

    Photo: Rally against corruption

  • Osun workers end strike, resume work today

    Osun workers end strike, resume work today

    •Government begins payment of salaries
    •’Protests politically motivated’

    OSUN State workers yesterday ended their six-week strike after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government.

    Labour leaders at the end of the meeting at the Governor’s Office in Osogbo  called on civil servants to resume work today.

    The government yesterday began paying backlog of salaries. State workers are to receive January and February while local government workers will be paid March and April.

    Other payments include those of primary school teachers’ balance of November pensions, outstanding pensions for January and February for retired primary school teachers and March pensions for retired local government workers.

    The MoU was signed by the government, Joint Public Service Negotiating Councils (JPSNC), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

    NLC Chairman Jacob Adekomi, who spoke on behalf of other labour leaders, said Organised Labour ended the strike when it considered the state’s parlous financial situation.

    The NLC chairman added that the government and labour agreed to sign an MoU, following efforts put in place to end delays in salaries.

    He said the strike was suspended to  appreciate   government’s commitment to workers’ welfare.

    Adekomi said committees would be set up to screen workers  and pensioners.

    “Committees will be set up to screen, determine the wage bill, the number of workers, the number of pensioners and their wage bill.”

    The NLC chairman called on workers to be more diligent and committed, saying government could only progress when its workers are productive.

    Adekomi assured workers that the government and labour leaders would fashion out the modalities of payment for the remaining four months.

     

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    Organised Labour dissociated itself  from the protests over unpaid salaries.

    The unions condemned the protests and described them  as “politically-motivated”.

    JPSNC Chairman Bayo Adejumo said the protests were sponsored by some fifth columnists, who used the opportunity to tarnish the government’s image.

    He added that none of the known labour unions participated or sponsored any of the protests.

    “We were not part of any protests neither did we sponsor one. As an organised workforce, we are aware of the constraints of government.

    “As at the time we embarked on the industrial action, it was assumed that we had no other choice than to embark on the strike, despite our understanding of the state of funds in the state.

    “All the purported protests were aimed at tarnishing the government’s image.

    “They were sponsored and the workforce did not participate or organise any. All we did was to order our members to embark on an industrial strike and at no time did any of the unions called its members out for a protest rally.”