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Tag: Nigerian Labour Congress

  • Buhari greets Oshiomhole at 65

    President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the All Progressives Congress family in congratulating party stalwart and former Governor of Edo State, Comrade  Adams Oshiomhole on his 65th birthday.

    The President felicitated with the foremost labour leader, his family, friends and colleagues on the milestone, which has been lined with awards and recognitions for courageous and selfless service to humanity, the nation and his community as a former leader of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and a governor.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President extoled the vision, bravery and forthrightness of Comrade Oshiomhole in instituting long lasting changes in Edo State for eight years, particularly the investments in people by enhancing the health, educational and physical infrastructure standard of the state.

    As a unionist and labour leader, President Buhari acknowledged the vocal and frontline roles Oshiomhole played in ensuring a return to democracy and the entrenchment of democratic principles in governance by continually challenging the norms and emphasizing the rule of law, people friendly policies, probity and accountability.

    The President affirmed that the nation has benefitted a lot from the robust and responsive leadership style of the former governor, believing that as he grows older, his invaluable wisdom will be most useful for the growth of the nation.

    He prayed that the almighty God will grant Oshiomhole longer life and good health to keep serving the nation he loves so much.

     

  • AfCFTA: MAN urges FG to examine trade conditions

    The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria ( MAN ), has urged the Federal Government to renegotiate trade conditions that will impede economic growth in its review of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA ) Agreement.

    The MAN President, Dr Frank Jacob, gave the advice in an interview with the News men on Tuesday in Lagos.

    According to him, MAN is apprehensive that the Rules of Origin in the AfCFTA cannot be adequately enforced to guard against influx of European Union ( EU ) goods into the Nigerian market.

    The Rules of origin are used to determine the country of origin of a product for purposes of international trade.

    The News men reports that the AfCFTA is part of Africa’s plan to promote Intra and Inter-regional trade, economic cooperation and partnership on the continent by 2063.

    AfCFTA seeks to make Africa the largest free trade area, improve its economies and strengthen its position in global trade.

    “We are afraid that the Rules of Origin cannot be adequately enforced because goods from the EU can find their way into one of the African countries that have bilateral agreement with the EU.

    “When the goods get into the African country, they can repackage them, change the label from Made in Europe to that of the African country.

    “That same goods will surely find its way to Nigeria which is the main target market for the EU,” Jacob said.

    Jacob also noted that the market access of the agreement was a concern to manufacturers, as it leaves low protection to locally produced goods.

    “The agreement says that 90 per cent of the tariff plan would be liberalised, leaving only 10 per cent to protect manufacturers, and that 10 per cent is too low.

    “That means the rest of the 90 per cent is open, duty free, people can import.

    Read Also:  FEC okays agreement on African Free Trade in Kigali

    “What we are saying is that the 10 per cent is too small, even at the current Common External Tariff ( CET ) regime, we enjoy more than 10 per cent.

    “How can they now expect us to accept only 10 per cent as the only protected tariff line. That is an area that is of great concern to us,” Jacob said.

    He noted that the AfCFTA would impede the growth of the manufacturing sector, lead to dearth of many businesses, increase the country’s unemployment rate, and incapacitate local technological advancement.

    The MAN boss commended President Muhammadu Buhari for canceling his scheduled trip to Kigali, Rwanda, to sign the framework agreement for establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area.

    Buhari on March 18, canceled his scheduled visit to Rwanda to attend an Extra-Ordinary Summit of the African Union on March 21.

    The President was to sign the framework agreement for establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area during the Summit that would host leaders of African countries.

    According to a statement from the Presidency, the trip was canceled to allow for more consultations with stakeholders in Nigeria over the trade agreement.

    It would be recalled that the Nigerian Labour Congress ( NLC ) and the Organised Private Sector ( OPS ) had kicked against AfCFTA.

    NAN

  • Govt set to negotiate minimum wage with Labour, says minister

    Govt set to negotiate minimum wage with Labour, says minister

    Negotiations that will lead to increased minimum wage will  commence this month, Labour Minister Chris Ngige has said.

    The minister’s assurance followed the announcement of the members of the national minimum wage negotiation committee.

    Ngige also allayed the fears of the Labour movement over the move by the National assembly to repeal the law on minimum wage by taking it away from the exclusive list to the concurrent list.

    Speaking with reporters at the ongoing 106th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, Ngige said though employers had said they were not in a position to pay the N56,000 minimum wage being demanded by Labour, all parties involved had agreed that the N18,000 minimum wage is no longer realistic.

    NLC President Ayuba Wabba told the ILC delegates that the situation of the working poor in Nigeria continued to be dire because of the high and increasing cost of living and rising number of dependents given the deepening unemployment situation; low social protection coverage, delayed payment of salaries among others.

    The minister said: “The issue of minimum wage is a tripartite thing involving the employers, workers and the government and the three of us are talking and have agreed that there is the need to review the issue of minimum wage in Nigeria.

    “The government also agreed that there is the need to pay for short fall of salary arrears, promotion arrears and other earned allowances and they can also attest to that. That is why they have not reported us here of subjugation because we have taken bold steps and initiated payment in that same direction.

    “Before I left home, N10 billion was already being processed for the promotion allowances arrears. Also, the sum of N14.6 billion had been expended in the area of salaries. If we go back home, we have other machineries and plans to go into the bond market and get some funds to offset all these arrears in one full swipe.”

    Asked when the issue of new minimum wage will be resolved, he said: “You cannot fix a time limit for the new minimum wage because it is a negotiation that is ongoing. But we are sure and we have seen the reason there must be an increase.

    “Some people have taken their position. The workers have demanded N56,000 and the employers have said we cannot pay N56,000. But everything being said now is outside the orbit of the negotiation table.When the committee comes into force, then actual discussion will start and that committee will come into force in the a forthright.”

    Speaking on the Bill before the House of Representatives seeking to remove the Labour matters, including minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list, the minister said: “bill has just been presented and if you understand the process of law making the way I do, you will not have any course to worry.

    “The real stage where law making begins is the second reading because that is where the argument starts and you have to convince your colleagues in the chamber in question, either in the House of Representatives or the Senate that the bill must be advanced further and there must be concurrence.

    “The bill in question has just passed first reading and I reiterate that the issue of Labour matters, minimum wage and arbitration are things that are on the exclusive federal legislative list, second schedule of the constitution, item number 34.

    “Therefore, even if that passes a second reading and third reading and is passed, it will still require a constitutional amendment for it to be allowed to pass into a law. So, it is almost like an impossibility. But anything is possible. It is like looking for a needle inside a sack. So, there is no cause for alarm.”

    Wabba said while organised labour were worried about the delay in the commencement of negotiation, they have gotten commitment from all level, including the National Assembly that they are ready to make sure that the issue is addressed once and for all.

  • NLC, TUC picket firm over 19 month’s unpaid salaries

    NLC, TUC picket firm over 19 month’s unpaid salaries

    The Nigerian Labour Congress, (NLC) Trade Union Congress (TUC) and United Action for Democracy (UAD) have picketed Galba Nigerian Plc., for its failure to pay its workers over a period of 19 months.

    The protest which was organised in  Port Harcourt  by staff members of Automobile, Boatyards, Transport Equipment and Allied Senior Staff Association, was to press down the demand for the payment of the salaries of the workers.

    Staff members of the company accused the firm of negligence, noting that the firm had money and running contracts but had refused to pay their workers.

    Speaking, the General Secretary of UTOBATE, Mr. Sola Olorunfemi, said every effort made to bring the company to the dialogue table for discussion failed.

    Olorunfemi said “We came all the way from Lagos after all efforts to engage the Galba management in meaningful discussion proved abortive. They owe the workers since 2015 November. We have made the TUC in River State to dialogue with the company over this matter.

    “But the management has been playing pranks for over 18 months now in order not to get this salaries paid. The union check-up dues deducted from the salaries of the workers since 2010 have not been remitted to the union and it’s a criminal act.

    “We have recorded about five persons dead over the level of suffering inflicted on the workers by the company. We sent a message to the owner of the company, T Y Danjuma about the wickedness of the management; we are yet to get reply.

    “We will hold this company hostage, there will be no practical operation in this premises until our demand are met. The company has money, they even have an on-going contract but they don’t want to pay the workers.”

    Similarly, the branch chairman of AUTOBATE, Galba, Innocent Udongfo, called on the management of the firm to meet their demands for operations to resume at the company.

    Udongfo said, “Several negotiations with Galba management could not work because they always want to play over our intelligence. They don’t even listen to us. Anytime we have opportunity to meet with the management they will walk us out.

    “We are working for almost five oil giants in this country yet they owe us. Each time we go for our salary it is a problem. Federal Ministry of Labour Port Harcourt is aware of this issue. We had agreement with the Federal Ministry of Labour since 2013 till now we are still suffering.

    “We can no longer pay our rents and our children are out of school. We are calling on the management to pay our salaries from 2015 till today. And to remit all our union dues from 2010 till date. They should implement our total emolument of the condition of service duly signed in the employment manual.

    Also, Mr. Eric Akaninwo, the TUC State Administrative Officer, said the labour unions are behind the staff of Galba and promised that the needful must been down before the company would be reopened.

    Akaninwo said, “We have invited the Galba management for a meeting, unfortunately, the only person we saw there was the Personnel manager, we asked him questions about why they don’t want to pay their worker. He said that they don’t have money and that they have a running contract.

    “When we engaged the Galba staffs they said they have a running contract that they even finished one two months ago. After our investigations we understood they don’t want to pay the workers.”

    Efforts to speak to the Manager of Galba Nigerian Plc, Mr. Mike Appia, proved abortive as calls made to his phone were neither picked nor returned, but the Personnel in charge of Administration, Mr. Dan Adi, stated that he had nothing to say in respect of the claims of the staff of the company.

     

  • NLC in Kebbi calls for improved working conditions

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Kebbi, on Monday, presented a ten-point demand to the State Government, as part of the workers’ efforts to improve service delivery.

    NAN reports that the theme of the 2017 workers’ day celebration is, “Labour relations in economic recession: an appraisal’’.

    The chairman of the congress, Umar Haladu, who addressed workers at the event in Birnin Kebbi, said the fulfillment of the demands would rejuvenate the civil service and improve standard of living.

    He demanded for the provision of modern equipment to the state owned media house to enhance wider and effective coverage and dissemination of information on government policies and programmes.

    The NLC called for the training and retraining of workers to improve performance, upward review of pension to reflect current salary structure and disbursement of agricultural loan to workers to facilitate farming.

    The union also stressed the need to improve financial allocation to ministries, departments and agencies.

    It called for the payment of the 2017 leave bonus as well as the settlement of outstanding leave bonuses to primary school teachers and the introduction of the housing scheme to workers, similar to the Federal government’s scheme.

    Haladu, however, lauded the government for its prompt payment of salaries, training of personnel and the settlement of 10 years promotion arrears.

    The Deputy Governor, Alhaji Samaila Yombe, who represented Gov. Atiku Bagudu, said the present administration would improve the living condition of the people and implement policies for rapid development.

    He called on the NLC to always adopt dialogue as the best form of dispute resolution.

    A cross section of the workers, expressed the determination to support government’s implementation of policies and programmes and called for improved workers’ welfare.

  • Nigeria Labour Congress falls into crisis

    Nigeria Labour Congress falls into crisis

    These are not the best of times for the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC). Things seem to be falling apart for the workers’ umbrella body with the emergence of the United Labour Congress (ULC) of Nigeria as another apex union for workers. TOBA AGBOOLA writes on the crisis that has pitted two NLC factional leaders Ayuba Wabba and Joe Ajaero against each other

    •Wabba, Ajaero exchange words

    WHICH of the unions is the apex umbrella body for Nigerian workers? The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) used to be the sole umbrella for the various affiliate unions before the formation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC). But now, there is another apex union – the United Labour Congress of Nigeria (ULC)
    Until the debut of ULC as the third force, the NLC and TUC championed the cause of the workers.
    The development has further deepened the two-year-old leadership crisis rocking the NLC. The leadership tussle was caused by the supremacy battle between two factions led by Ayuba Wabba and Joe Ajaero.
    Ajaero, a factional President of the NLC, had refused to step down for Wabba, in wake of the crisis that followed the disputed outcome of the March 2015 National Delegates Conference (NDC) in Abuja.
    All interventions made by those sympathetic to the labour movement, including former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and other past labour leaders, yielded no positive results. The gulf between the Wabba-led and Ajaero-led factions has not reduced.
    Despite appeals from several quarters, including industrial unions, the recommendations in the report of the reconciliatory committee, headed by the former NLC President Hassan Sunmonu was never implemented.

    Division over the
    2015 strike/protest

    The disagreement between the factions played out in failure of the organied labour to mobilised Nigerians to protest the withdrawal of petrol subsidy by the Federal Government in 2015.
    Ajaero led his faction to collaborate with the government in finding solution to the issue. But, the Wabba-led faction opted for a nationwide strike, which was anything but successful. In fact, when the government invited the factions to a meeting over the subsidy removal, Wabba was quoted as saying that he would not hold meeting with government alongside the Ajaero faction. That forced the government to hold separate meetings with the factions.
    As Wabba and Ajaero continued to battle for the soul of the NLC, their members remained at the mercy of the government as the organised labour lost its common voice on issues affecting workers’ welfare.

    Ajaero group floats
    new union

    The leadership crisis in the NLC got the climax on December 17, when the Ajaero faction broke away from NLC. It announced the formation of ULC as a new labour centre. In the new body are some unions affiliated to the TUC and NLC as well as some industrial unions that were hitherto, neither affiliated to the NLC, nor the TUC.
    About 25 unions were said to have joined forces with the new association.
    Some of the affiliates of the ULC include: National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Nigeria Union on Electricity Employees (NUEE), Nigeria Union of Mine Workers, National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Employees (NUBIFFE), Nigeria Union of Rail Workers, National Union of Lottery Agents, & Employees, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).
    Ajaero, who was elected unopposed to lead the new body, said that the ULC would fight for workers’ interest and ensure a more equitable Nigeria where workers’ dignity and the work place would become less prone to impunity.
    According to him, ULC’s emergence would strengthen the labour movement and bring on board aggrieved elements to chart a new cause for the workforce.
    “The new labour centre, instead of weakening the movement, will present labour as a creative partner that has strategic benefits for the public, especially the employers and the government”, he said.
    The ULC leader said the new centre’s focus was to restore hope to the Nigerian workers, the oppressed, the victimised, the neglected and other relegated members of the society.
    Explaining that the new body has no plan to contest with anybody or faction, Ajaero said ULC will remain an independent centre, adding that “the issue of faction is over.’’
    Ajaero also said the new congress was emerging because of the exigency of the moment where people work without salaries for months and were being denied their rights by their employers.
    NUPENGs President Igwe Achese was elected ULC’s deputy president. Three vice presidents, a treasurer, an auditor and a financial secretary among other officers, were elected to run the affairs of the centre.
    The officials promised to stand for victims of unfair labour practices and those being owed months of salary arrears.

    Implications of
    ULC’s emergence

    One obvious implication of ULC’s emergence is that the unions in critical sectors of the economy, including NUPENG, NUEE, NUBIFE, ANAP and NAAPE are among its affiliates.
    Impliedly, the ULC would wield influence in the petroleum industry, power sector, financial, aviation, education, manufacturing and telecommunication sectors among others.
    The name ULC is not new to the labour movement. It was the umbrella body for progressive unionists before the 1976 merger of unions following the restructuring of trade unions by the then military government under the late Gen. Muritala Mohammed\Olusegun Obasanjo.
    Incidentally, the new ULC relies on the Trade Union Amendment Act of 2005, by the Federal Government headed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to come into existence. But how far will the ULC go? Only time will tell.

    Labour leaders reacts

    Labour leaders across the country have been reacting to the new development in the NLC. They believe that labour, as a house divided against itself would lack cohesion to engage government policies. They are pushing for fence mending.
    The National President, National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Oladele Hunsu, described the move as unfortunate and a big blow to labour movement.
    According to him, labour movement needed to be more cohesive at this time rather than disintegrating, adding that the only gainers in the ongoing dispensation were government and employers.
    The garment workers’ president, while lamenting the development, further said that workers, who look up to labour for protection from employers’ anti-labour activities, would be disappointed in their leadership.
    He said: “There is something we always say in labour movement that ‘United we stand, divided we fall’. This is not the best time for this to have happened because workers look up to the movement for protection.
    “We need a strong movement to confront government and employers, now that it is divided, how can we achieve that. Some of us are not happy.”
    Hunsu said the challenges facing Nigerian workers required a strong labour movement to battle it, listing minimum wage, rising inflation and job losses as some of the issues requiring a virile and formidable union to address.
    “The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) confirmed recently that about four million Nigerians have lost their jobs. That is not even true; they are being economical with the truth. These are areas that should be confronted. So, division at this time is saddening,” he said.
    The labour leader, who expressed hope in the ability of a united movement to tackle government and employers’ anti-labour activities, advised both parties to come together for the sake of the workers.
    “It is government that profits from this division; it is the class enemy that profits from the system,” he said.