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Tag: Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC)

  • Health workers may resume suspended strike soon

    Health workers may resume suspended strike soon

    Health workers under the auspices of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has given indication that they may resume their suspended strike action any moment from now as the government was yet to respond to their terms of settlement two months after signing the agreement leading to the suspension of the strike.

    National Chairman of the JOHESU and National President of the Medical and Health workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Biobelemoye Josiah who dropped the hint while speaking with newsmen after a reception organised by Association of Medical Laboratory Technicians and Assistants of Nigeria (AMELTAN).

    He said the health workers suspended their strike based on government promise to address their demand within five weeks.

    He said “We suspended our strike action following the Federal government’s promise to approve the adjustment of the salary in 5 weeks. We as health sector workers love the health of Nigerians, and on our own, we are doing our best. Count from the 4th of October 2017 till now, it is well beyond 5 weeks. So if we do not get that adjustment, Nigerians should bear with us”. 

    Josiah also warned against further delay in the negotiation of the new national minimum wage, pointing out that organised Labour will resist any delay by the tripartite committee to renegotiate a new minimum wage for the country, as any reasonable government will not waste time on the issue of welfare for the citizens.  

    He  said the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has been consistent on its earlier  demand for N56.000 as minimum wage in her proposal to the federal government, saying “We have a trusted leadership that will not allow government to use the minimum wage issue as a means of scoring political points. We are certain that should government try to employ delay tactics for any self-gain, our leadership will pull out”.  

    “NLC earlier made it clear that it want N56.000 for new minimum wage. And as a responsible body, it is not required of NLC to continually change its position because it is not a chameleon. And if the political class is demanding to be paid like their counterparts in the United States, they should also consider paying the working class like their counterparts abroad too.

    “Presently, the minimum wage in U.S.A is $1600 and here in Nigeria our current minimum wage is less than $40. They should be more reasonable to know that the more they put in us, the more productive we will be and the less for anybody to loot.”

    “Every right thinking government ought not to delay such issue as minimum wage, because the wellbeing of the citizens is among the constitutional responsibilities of government. So if the government want to actually move the economy of this country to the next level, it certainly must give the people a proper earning power.

    “If the government is not willing to empower the working class, who then will purchase the high cost commodities that you brought into the society. So for the economy to run well, and  for the manufacturers, industrialists and what have you to function well, the society needs a well-paid workforce. Government needs to know that the population of the working class is the one that runs the local economy especially in non-industrialised economies like Nigeria.”

    He condemned the allocation to the Health Sector in the 2018 Budget, saying, “The health sector is not funded properly. And if government want us to give world class health services are they are requiring us to give, it should do well fund the health sector since we already have the required skills. How do we put our skills to practice when they don’t fund the health sector proper?”

  • Umahi approves payment of two years leave allowance for Ebonyi workers – NLC

    Umahi approves payment of two years leave allowance for Ebonyi workers – NLC

    The Nigerian Labour Congress ( NLC ) in Ebonyi, says the approval given by Gov. Dave Umahi for the payment of workers’ 2016/2017 leave allowances will enhance productivity.

    The state NLC Chairman, Mr Leonard Nkah, on Friday in Abakaliki, said that the approval was a welcome development.

    “We have been negotiating with the government on the issue of the payment of arrears of workers’ leave allowances and other statutory workers’ entitlements; and we are happy that the governor has graciously approved the payment.

    “The action will not only motivate the workers to greater productivity, it will also enhance more service delivery.

    “Workers have been subjected to more hardship with their families and other dependents, suffering excruciating pains under the present economic recession.

    “The payment of the leave allowances will no doubt alleviate the sufferings and ensure that they put in their best.

    “We commend and congratulate the governor for keeping to his promises to better the welfare and wellbeing of the Ebonyi workers, ” Nkah said.

    Nkah, who is also the President, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees ( NULGE ), Ebonyi chapter, said NLC would continue to engage the state government in constructive dialogue on matters concerning workers’ welfare.

    He said that payment of workers’ promotion arrears and lifting of embargo on promotion were being discussed and would soon be addressed by government.

    The chairman urged workers to be more dedicated to their duties, promote work efficiency and avoid acts that could impact negatively on service delivery.

    Workers in Ebonyi were yet to receive entitlements accruing from their annual leave since the inception of the present administration on May 29, 2015.

    NAN

  • Bello proscribes JAC, trade union activities in state institutions

    Bello proscribes JAC, trade union activities in state institutions

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Wednesday announced the ban on the activities of Joint Action Committee (JAC) of trade unions and all forms of trade unionism in state-owned tertiary institutions.

    Bello, who made the announcement in a broadcast in Lokoja on Wednesday accused trade unionism in tertiary institutions of impeding government holistic reforms.

    He said he had respect for the rights of all citizens to responsibly associate and pursue their welfare within the ambits of the law and norms of a democratic society.

    The governor said his administration had made tremendous progress in resolving all issues relating to adequacy and frequency of remuneration for all categories of Civil Servants in the State.

    He reiterated his respect for the rights of labour unions in relations to the responsibilities of the owners and proprietors of tertiary academic institutions.

    Bello, however, regretted that the state-owned tertiary institutions’ trade unionism had let itself to impeding government’s efforts to carry out “holistic reforms in the civil service through its unjustified industrial actions.

    “The branch of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) in Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has proceeded on yet another strike for alleged non-payment of salaries and emoluments irrespective of clear evidence of government’s good faith and efforts contradicting JAC’s position,” he said.

    The governor said there was evidence of massive embezzlement at Kogi State Polytechnic’s earnings in excess of N157m committed under JAC’s nose.

    Bello assured that his government remained committed to meeting its obligations to all genuine employees of the state as promptly as available resources would permit.

    “Government will work to ensure uninterrupted academic calendar, henceforth, in all basic education, secondary and tertiary academic institutions in Kogi State.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, and except where specified otherwise, references herein to the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Trade Unions of Tertiary Institutions owned by Kogi State are referred to:

    “The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU). The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP). The Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU). The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) and The Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN).

    “Others are the National Associations of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and any other Union operating in any tertiary Institutions owned by the Kogi State Government,” he said.

    NAN

  • NLC against proposed amendment of Pension Reform Act 2014

    NLC against proposed amendment of Pension Reform Act 2014

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday kicked against the proposed amendment of the Pension Reform Act 2014 to exclude some agencies of government from the contributory pension scheme.

    Mr Issa Aremu, NEC member of NLC, made this known on Thursday in a statement issued in Kaduna.

    Aremu urged stakeholders on pension matters to reject the proposed controversial bill seeking to exclude members of the Nigeria Police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Prison Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from the Contributory Pension Scheme.

    He said the bill is sponsored by Rep. Oluwole Oke and has passed its second reading.

    “Pension reform Acts of 2004 and 2014 were outcomes of executive bills, which addressed the delicate interests of the pensioners, government and the economy.

    “In principle, a private member bill informed by narrow and vested interest consideration cannot do justice to all.

    The labour leader also said that any private member bill, which seeks to erode the gains of the 13-year-old Contributory Pension Scheme in terms of coverage and resource pool is “counterproductive” and should not be encouraged.

    Aremu said pensions of the nation’s working men and women in security services are better secured in a national contributory Scheme than the old “unfunded and unsustainable discredited ‘Defined Benefits Scheme’ ( DBS ).

    According to him, until the recent contributory pension reform “all stakeholders bore witness to ugly features of corruption, inefficiency and share looting”.

    He added that this characterized the old Defined Benefits Scheme ( DBS ), adding that to return to the old era would mean bringing back corruption to pension administration through the National Assembly.

    Aremu advised the National Assembly against what he called “the pitfalls of frequent self-serving out sourced amendments” of the Pension Act.

    He observed that the pension Act has just been amended through executive and all inclusive review two years ago.

    The labour leader said with all its globally acknowledged successes, the contributory pension covers only 7 million workers.

    Aremu lamented that to ask for exclusion of the security agencies will undermine the scheme with all the attendant negative implications for Nigerian economy just coming out of recession.

    He, therefore, called all members of the Assembly to reject the private bill, which will return pensioners to the bad old days of non-payment of pensions.

    Aremu urged legislators to through their oversight ensure appropriate budgetary appropriation for the accrued benefits arising from the old unfunded scheme is paid.

    He also said that 60 million workforce in both informal and formal private sectors and states civil services are covered in the compulsory Contributory pension scheme.

  • Sallah: Banks urged to improve ATM services during festival

    Sallah: Banks urged to improve ATM services during festival

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Kano State Chapter, has called on Banks operating ATM Machines across the state to improve their services by providing adequate funds.

    This is contained in a statement by the NLC chairman in the state, Mr Kabiru Minjibir and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Kano.

    He said there was need for them to improve their services in view of the high demand for cash arising from the forthcoming Sallah celebration

    He said, “Banks are hereby strongly advised to note that the Congress would not fold its arms and watch workers being helplessly frustrated unnecessarily due to the inability of the banks to discharge their responsibilities”.

    Minjibir noted that such can deny the workers to enjoy their hard earned and legitimate income paid by the government or their employees.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, we can no longer tolerate any deliberate action or inaction by any bank that causes hardship to workers and pensioners in the process of collecting their income”, he said.

    “We would also like to use this opportunity to reiterate our call on all those in charge of our affairs at whatever level of authority to reflect on the current hardship experienced by the populace”.he said.

    He called on the workers to remain committed and punctual in service and prayers for the return of the nation’s lost economy’s glory.

    He assured workers, pensioners and all labour stakeholders that the Congress would remain committed in its duties and responsibilities as an advocate of social justice and frontline actors in the struggle for the emancipation of the working class.

    The NLC chairman expressed his felicitation to the state government, Emirate Council, State Assembly, workers, pensioners and the entire people of the state on the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir festival.

  • Less than 5% of Nigerians covered by NHIS – Official

    Less than 5% of Nigerians covered by NHIS – Official

    The Acting Executive Secretary  of the National Health  Insurance Scheme (NHIS) , Malam Attahiru Ibrahim, on Thursday said less than five per cent of Nigerians  had  been covered by the scheme.

    Ibrahim said this in Abeokuta, Ogun, at a one-day sensitisation workshop for uniformed officers and men in Ogun.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop has as its theme: “Enrollee Satisfaction: A Pathway To Universal Health Coverage’’.

    The Acting Executive Secretary was represented by the South-West Zonal Coordinator of the scheme, Mr Adelaja Abereora, at the occasion.

    Attahiru said he had been disturbed by the fact that the scheme had only captured “a small number of Nigerians” who are public servants at the federal, state and local government levels.

    According to him, the scheme is being operated with only the contributions from employers listed above.

    He urged the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to prevail on its members to remit their employees’ contributions to the scheme.

    “Basically for now, we are covering public servants working in federal establishments and that is quite limited.

    “But what we have also done in recent time is to encourage the state governments to establish their own agencies that will cover their staff both at the state and local government levels.

    “Again, when you add together all those working in federal, state and local government parastatal  agencies, that is still a small percentage of the entire population,’’ he said.

    Attahiru said the NHIS had other programmes that could take care of other segments of the population.

    “For instance, the Community-based programme has the capacity to cover people from the informal sector who can organise themselves into communities.

    “Community is not just by geography. You can organise people by geography in a particular community; you can also organise them along occupational lines.

    “You can organise artisans, “Okada’’ riders and all of that. By the time you do that we will have put a large population into the data-base.

    “And we think in this way, we can enroll quite a number of people because the ultimate goal is to attain Universal Health Coverage at the earliest time possible,” he said.

    Attahiru  said that the NHIS would not condone any Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) or Healthcare Provider which renders unsatisfactory service.

    He said the HMOs  and HCPs  should report hospitals not  rendering quality services to their patients to the NHIS for sanctions.

    “Some hospitals will just collect money and go to sleep, but people are dying. We will not take that from any HMO or HCP,” he warned.

    The  Ogun State Coordinator of NHIS, Mr Lekan Olabode, in his address  said enrollees were  “kings and queens” who deserved satisfactory healthcare services in line with the objectives of the scheme.

    Olabode identified treatment denial, out of pocket payment, poor referral, delayed treatment and discrimination against public enrollees as challenges confronting the scheme.

    “If all stakeholders could unanimously agree on providing excellent services as and when due, more than the sky will be the limit for all.

    “With that and in no time, we will achieve the Universal Health Coverage”, Olabode said.

    Speaking on Health Facility Perspective of the theme,  Dr Ogunbunmi Kayode , who represented Mercy Group Clinic, observed that HCPs must prioritise enrollees’ satisfaction through services rendered.

    He also said that doctors and nurses must ensure good communication with patients.

    Kayode said enrollees’ satisfaction would be determined based on their age, gender, and education, health status of patient, hospital system performance, and system usage / utilisation.

    Oke Kehinde  from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Akaise Vivian from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) expressed satisfaction and commended NHIS over the scheme in their reactions.

    NAN reports that some of the participants included men of the Nigerian Police; the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, NSCDC, the Nigerian Immigration Service , FRSC and NDLEA.

  • Kano approves N578m for payment of teachers

    Kano approves N578m for payment of teachers

    The Kano State Government said it had approved N578 million for the payment of 44, 654 primary school teachers and other non-teaching personnel‎ under the state’s Universal Basic Education Board. ‎

    The Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, made this known on Tuesday in a statement by the Press Secretary to the state Governor, ‎ Malam Ameen Yassar‎.

    He said the amount would cater for those who had been notionally promoted in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.  ‎‎‎
    ‎
    He stated that the State Executive council, under the chairmanship of the Deputy Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, approved the payment, which takes effect from June 2017, following negotiations with representatives of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT).

    “After series of deliberations between the government and the unions, especially in view of the financial situation, it was unanimously agreed that the workers would forfeit their arrears.

    “As at May, 2017, the state government was paying the primary school teachers N2. 33 billion, but with the new development, their salaries would rise to N2. 91 billion,” he said.

    According to him, the council has directed the Ministry of Finance and Office of the Accountant General to ensure that implementation of the increased salaries from the month of June, 2017 begins immediately,” he said.

  • I will increase wages when monthly IGR hit N2.4bn, Obiano tells workers

    I will increase wages when monthly IGR hit N2.4bn, Obiano tells workers

    Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra has said that he would increase salaries of civil servants in the state when the monthly Internally Generated revenue hits n2.4 billion .

    Obiano said this while addressing the state workers at the 2017 May Day celebration in Awka on Monday.

    This was after the labour movement in the state had in a joint address called for the declaration of state of emergency on increase of workers’ pay in Anambra.

    Obiano who pointed out that the current IGR of the state was between N1.4 and N1.5 billion said he was reiterating the promise because of his administration’s commitment to welfare of workers in the state.

    He recalled that he had earlier made the promise when he assumed office in 2014 that when he said that he would increase salaries when it IGR improved from the then N500 million to N1 billion.

    He said he effected the increase in 2015 automatically when the improvement came.

    The governor said he had directed the chairman of the state civil service commission to commence the process that would lead to promotion of those due before the end of the year.

    He commended labour in the state for their support for his administration and enjoined them to continue to do so.

    Earlier, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade union Congress (TUC) in the state had urged Obiano to declare State of emergency for upward review of salary of workers.

    In the joint address delivered by Mr Jerry Nnubia, chairman of NLC, the workers commended the governor for prompt payment of salaries but pointed out that it was now grossly inadequate.

    He said some of the injustices against labour which gave birth to the struggle in the 19th century during which lives were lost were still seen today especially as it concerned the Nigerian worker.

    He said the celebration which was themed “Labour Relations in Recession an Appraisal” was to make it relevant to the extant economic realities in Nigeria.

    One will feel sorry for the Nigerian woorrker because they are the worst hit by the present economic situation in Nigeria.

    “Inflation is at the highest level of 17.26 per cent with prices of goos ad service hitting the roof while the wages of workers remain static at N18, 000 minimum wage.

    “Remember when the N18, 000 minimum wage was approved in 2011 dollar was below N160 and now dollar is about N400.

    “Your Excellency, in as much as we appreciate your kind disposition towards workers, it is still very clear that we are passing through untold hardship, what we receive cannot scratch our basic need at the surface.

    The organised labour also listed other challenges facing them as delay in promotion, disparity in implementation of health workers salary structure between local and state government workers.

    Decreasing number of teachers following massive retirement, payment of pensions to local government workers who retired between 2014 and 2017, training for workers and low cost housing.

    The labour movement also honoured Obiano with the award of most labour friendly governor in Anambra and endorsed him for second term in the Nov 18 2017 elections in the state.

  • Corruption: Bauchi to introduce whistle-blowing

    Gov. Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State said the state government would introduce whistleblowing in the state to fight corruption in its local government councils.

    Abubkar made this known when he addressed workers at May Day celebration in Bauchi on Monday.

    He described corruption at the local government level as “endemic”, and said that something must be done to check it.

    Abubakar said that some top officials of councils in the state were still harbouring ghost workers in spite of several staff verifications conducted by his administration at the third-tier of government.

    “Any worker that reveals to me in secrecy how many ghost workers are being harboured by some top functionaries will be rewarded.

    “To rid the councils of corruption, we must stand up since the staff verification has failed to yield fruits while millions of naira is being siphoned through dubious act.

    “Workers who reveal such shady deals will be rewarded with money and immediate promotion,” he said.

    Abubakar said that his administration had set up a committee to review the 60-year-old state civil service rules and other regulations on labour.

    He said that his administration was committed to prompt payment of salaries and other entitlements to workers in the state.

    He assured that hardworking workers would be rewarded while indolent ones would be punished, saying that the government was committed to workers’ welfare.

    The governor urged the workers to rededicate themselves to the services of the state and promised to introduce innovations that would better the life of workers in the state.

    Earlier in his address, Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Mr. Hashimu Gital, had called on the Federal Government to hasten the approval of a new minimum wage.

    Gital said that the N18, 000 National Minimum Wage achieved through tripartite committee in 2011 was no longer tenable because of prevailing recession.

    He said that the purchasing power of Nigerian workers was greatly diminishing due to high inflation.

    Gital, therefore, urged the National Committee on New Minimum Wage to hasten its work and ensure that it was guided by current economic realities in its recommendation.

    He called on the state government to settle over N15 billion gratuity arrears owed public service, including local government, retirees in the state.

    The chairman also called on the state government to restore other charges to agencies and leave transport grant for the benefit of the workers.

    He commended the state government for settling the salary arrears of workers in the state.

  • NLC, TUC protest rising cost of living

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Thursday staged a protest at the National Assembly complex, Abuja over the rising cost of living in Nigeria.

    The NLC Chairman, Mr Ayuba Wabba, said that the groups were protesting the delay in the upward review of minimum wage amidst increasing cost of items in the country.

    “We are here to demand for good governance and express our support in the fight against corruption.

    “More importantly, we demand for respect for rule of law, greater accountability and transparency in governance,’’ Wabba said.

    He expressed worry that Nigerian workers had been the major victims of the fall-out of corruption and bad governance.

    “Today the dollar rate is one Naira to 500 dollars and the salaries of Nigerian workers have remained the same.

    “Therefore, we are here to urge the National Assembly to play an important role to ensure that life is made better for Nigerians.

    “We cannot succeed if the fight against corruption does not succeed.

    “We appreciate the efforts by the National Assembly to ensure financial autonomy for the local governments and this must be sustained because money meant for the local governments does not get there.’’

    The NLC chairman further expressed concern that in spite of the bailout funds to states for workers’ salaries, “the living condition of workers have not been improved because many are not paid’’.

    He explained that pensioners in the country were owed up to 77 months and called on the National Assembly to synergise with other arms of government to pay them.

    Contributing, the TUC President, Bobboi Kaigama said that the inflation rate in the country was growing astronomically.

    Kaigama said that it was time for governments at all tiers to go back to the drawing board to revive the country’s economy.

    “Whatever it takes, we must review the structure of our economy.

    “If we must kill corruption, the laws have to come from the National Assembly.

    “Nigerians are hungry, the cost of living is high, no houses, no light and factories have gone comatose,’’ Kaigama said.

    Responding, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said it was time to go into action towards addressing the numerous challenges confronting Nigerians.

    According to him, we need to sit down and work out how to make necessary adjustments.
    “It can’t continue this way, the exchange rate is high, cost of things in the market have gone high but only the workers’ salaries remain the same.

    “By the next time we will meet, I will tell you what the National Assembly has done to improve the living condition of Nigerians,’’ Saraki said.