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  • NLC pickets MTN office in Kano

    The Nigerian Labour Congress ( NLC ) on Monday picket MTN office in Kano , following the hostile working environment for the workers.

    The picketing that started at about 6.30am which led to the total grounding of activities at the office.

    Kano NLC Chairman Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir said the picketing was a directive from the union headquarters and is a nationwide exercise

    “ The picketing became inevitable as the company has refused to heed advice to stop its inhuman treatment of workers. About 80% of the staff are casuals and they are not allowed to unionized which is against the International Labour Organisation treaty,” said Kabir Minjibir.

    The NLC Chairman said the union has being in discussion with the company for over a year to correct there ways of addressing workers issues which are mostly slavery like.He insisted that they would not leave the frontage of the MTN office until they are directed from the NLC headquarters.The labour union was supported by civil society organizations that included Centre for Awareness and Justice (CAJA) .

    Speaking to Reperters at the MTN office, CAJA Executive Director Comrade Kabir Saidu Dakata said the picketing is supported by the CSOs considering that NLC is the only mouth piece of the masses in Nigeria as the government has failed to protect the common man.

    All efforts to speak with the company representative was not successful as a staff said they are not authorized to talk to the media.

  • NLC rejects 500 per cent tariff on local alcohol

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the recent policy of 500 per cent increase in tariff on locally produced alcohol, spirits and tobacco, saying the policy will be counter-productive, while leading to job loss and the possible relocation of some affected companies.

    In a letter to the Minister of Finance, President of the Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said the implementation of the policy is capable of resulting to massive job loss as well as relocation of affected industries.

    Wabba said: “While NLC commend and support the laudable efforts of government in increasing revenue and diversifying the economy in order to meet its obligations to the people, which is already yielding positive results, we, however, observe that the Federal Government’s recent policy of 500 per cent  increase in tariff on locally produced alcohol, spirits and tobacco will be counter-productive.

    “This policy will eventually lead to job losses and possible re-location of affected companies to neighboring African countries as was the case with Dunlop and Michelin.”

    Wabba said this astronomical increase in tariff will “lead to huge price disparity between locally produced alcohol, tobacco and spirit and the ones produced outside Nigeria or imported. It will also increase the cost of production and reduce profit margin. It will lead to the closure and possible relocation of those industries to neighboring countries within the West African sub region.

    “We also wish to draw the attention of the Honourable Minister to the threat that the current hike in tariff on locally produced alcohol and tobacco poses to Nigeria’s position as the choice investment destination in the food, and tobacco industry in Africa.

    “Currently, the British American Tobacco Company (BATC) has its largest manufacturing concerns in Nigeria and actually services other markets in the sub-region from Nigeria.

    “The leadership of our union in the sector, NUFBTE, has been informed by manufacturers in the sector that they are seriously considering moving their businesses elsewhere if government goes ahead with the current hike in tariff.

    “The BATC which retains its highest manufacturing presence in Nigeria is seriously considering moving out a significant portion of its production lines out of Nigeria to other African countries. Also, many distiller companies, and Guinness Breweries which invested billions in distilling have decided to divert investments running into billions of naira to other neighboring African countries.”

  • NLC rejects 500% tariff on alcohol

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the recent policy of 500 per cent increase in tariff on locally produced alcohol, spirits and tobacco, saying the policy would be counter-productive and lead to job loss.

    In a letter to the Minister of Finance, President of the Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said the implementation of the policy is capable of resulting to massive job loss as well as relocation of affected industries.

    Wabba said: “While NLC commend and support the laudable efforts of government in increasing revenue and diversifying the economy in order to meet its obligations to the people, which is already yielding positive results, we however observe that the Federal Government’s recent policy of 500 per cent increase in tariff on locally produced alcohol, spirits and tobacco will be counter-productive.

    “This policy will eventually lead to job losses and possible re-location of affected companies to neighboring African countries as was the case with Dunlop and Michelin.”

    Wabba said this astronomical increase in tariff would “lead to huge price disparity between locally produced alcohol, tobacco and spirit and the ones produced outside Nigeria or imported.

    “It will also increase the cost of production and reduce profit margin. It will also lead to the closure and possible relocation of those industries to neighbouring countries within the West African sub region,” he added.

  • 350 Nigerians owing banks N5.8tr, says NLC

    THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday urged the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to justify its anti-corruption crusade and recover the over N5.8 trillion presently in the hands of about 350 people.

    According to NLC, the concerned individuals borrowed the money from the banks and refuse to pay back.

    It asked the President to order the arrest of the 350 persons in possession of the N5.8 trillion and recover the money from them.

    The NLC said it was rather unfortunate that conflict across the continent was hampering growth efforts.

    Its President, Ayuba Wabba, said there was no basis  for the government to look for money to borrow from outside the country to fund its capital projects, when the bulk of money were taken away from the banks and public funds had to be used to save the banks from collapse.

    Wabba, who spoke at a public lecture to mark the 70th birthday of the NLC General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, said it was an irony that despite its abundant human and material resources, Nigeria is today regarded as the poverty capital of the world.

    He said for the last 30 years, Nigerians have been lamenting the issue of bad governance and bad policies, adding that the Nigerian system has become less accommodating for the interest and rights of the citizens.

    He said: “If not, how can 350 Nigerians out of almost 200 million people be allowed to borrow N5.8 trillion from our banks, which they could not pay. In fact, that money is enough to fund both recurrent budget of 2017 and 2018. There is no situation that should warrant this.

    “It is hard-earned money of the people that was used to salvage those banks, yet that money is in the hand of only 350 people and yet we are lamenting that there is no money and yet this money cannot be recovered from them.

    “We must work together and not allow these few swallow what belong to all of us. We will continue to challenge and be on the streets. But importantly, we must realise where the challenges lies.

    “Therefore, I urge government to do everything possible to recover that money because Nigerians will not sympathise with any person who has borrowed that money and still living in their comfort zone. They should be arrested and that money should be recovered because it is our common wealth.

    “We cannot continue to subsidise for the rich. There is no reason why we should go borrowing money when that money is there lying fallow. For more than 30 years, we have been lamenting and things have not changed and so, we should find a way out of this situation.”

    Wabba said what is happening in the country was definitely not an act of God, but an act of human beings.

    He said: “Underdevelopment in Africa, particularly in our country, cannot be the act of God because God has so richly blessed us. In all facet of human life, be it natural or human, we are blessed.

    “The population we have is an asset and not a liability. You can see what China is doing with their population and so, we have every reason to continue to give thanks for the enormous resources that our country has been endowed with.

    “But the central issue is actually the issue of leadership and policy option. Other groups and other countries have continued to manipulate our policies. We cannot on our own fashion out policies that can change our situation. That is why those of us born in the sixties, we can remember the good old days.

    “We can continue to say that those days are better than now. But in terms of resources, we have more resources now than in those days. But what are the issues. The issues are bad policies and bad governance.

    “Therefore, for Nigeria to move forward and for Africa to move forward, we must change these policies. Here we are with abundant resources, but these resources are sold and the money stolen. It is an irony and sometimes, I wonder whether it is because of our skin or what is the problem with us in Africa.”

    He added: “In fact, it is a challenge that require certain answers because there is nothing on earth that God has not made to favour us. If you look at our land across Africa, there is nothing we cannot grow. If you go the Europe, the period they have for agriculture is just about three to four months, but here in Africa, we can farm all year round and yet we cannot feed ourselves. These are the issues we must continue to engage.”

    According to him, “the provision of security and the regulation of the economy are central to the development of Africa as a continent and Nigeria in particular. We cannot achieve more if there is conflict everywhere in Africa. Today, there is hardly any country in Africa where you don’t have conflict and these conflicts are man-made.”

    Former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission Prof. Julius Okojie, who was chairman of the event, said the country’s resources were not being well-managed because of the lack of strong institutions.

  • It’s senseless, says NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described as senseless and barbaric the renewed killings by suspected herdsmen.

    NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said: “The Nigeria Labour  Congress  is deeply  saddened by  the renewed violence in Barkin-Ladi and Riyom Local Governments  of Plateau state and their environs leading to the killing of over 86 persons (as per police  report) by suspected  killer-herdsmen at the weekend.

  • Plateau killing senseless, barbaric – NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described as senseless and barbaric the renewed killing of innocent Nigerians by suspected herdsmen, saying such act if left unaddressed poses potential threat to the bond of brotherhood and peaceful coexistence in the country.

    President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja that reprisal attack and the taste for revenge may however not be the solution to the issue, and appeal to those involved to engage in dialogue and peaceful reconciliation.

    He also asked the government to take immediate steps to rebuild communities affected by the crisis which several people dead and a vast majority homeless across the country.

    The statement reads: “The Nigeria Labour Congress is deeply saddened by the renewed violence in Barkin-Ladi and Riyom Local Governments of Plateau State and their environs leading to the killing of over 86 persons ( as per police report) by suspected killer-herdsmen at the weekend.

    “We are disturbed by the range of targets, the duration of these attacks and the scope of casualties and destruction. Even in a full scale war with another country,the statistics are numbing. ‘Therefore, for the umpteenth time we condemn these killings in their entirety.

    “They are senseless and barbaric and threaten to shatter once and for all the bonds of brotherhood and peaceful co-existence.

    Read Also: Plateau killing: PDP blames Buahri, APC

    “Accordingly, our security, though stretched, must be seen to do more to restore the confidence of the civil populace. If the emerging allegations are true that the attacks went on unchecked for hours, then something needs to be done about the reaction time of our internal security operations in the state.

    “Beyond this, the Federal and Plateau State Governments in consultation with the parties to this bloody conflict should design a frame work for an enduring peace.

    “The governments should quickly move to rebuild these communities and restore shattered lives as well as put and end to this anarchy.

    “In spite of the fact that emotions understandably run high at the moment, it is important to appreciate the fact that reprisal attacks cannot bring the much needed peace. Peace lies in dialogue and in squarely addressing the underlying causes of the problem. Time to frankly talk to ourselves is now.“

  • NLC gives candidates ultimatum on salaries

    The Ekiti State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged candidates vying for the governorship seat to prepare to pay all salary arrears within three months of inauguration.

    The state NLC Chairman, Comrade Ade Adesanmi, made the declaration on yesterday during an interactive session with the candidate of Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN), Chief Adebisi Omoyeni.

    He said the condition of workers in the state having months salaries arreas was deplorable.

    Adesanmi stressed that the workers would only support candidate who takes their welfare  as priority.

    Adesanmi said the entire labour force in the state would mobilize against any government after three months of inception, if such government failed to clear the eight months salaries currently being owed the workers in the state.

    He added that the NLC had started series of interface with governorship candidates ahead of the July 14 election, presenting the body’s position paper to them.

    Adesanmi said: “We are giving whoever wins the forthcoming governorship election in Ekiti State three months after inauguration to pay the outstanding salaries or we will rise against such government. Let it be cleared now.

    “The current state of workers now where we are being owed between five to eight months of salaries is worrisome and we are determined to put a stop to it, we can’t continue like this.

    “We have been telling all candidates our position and let it be on record that, after three months we want our arrears to be cleared otherwise we will mobilize against such government.”

    He explained that the position paper of the union which was prepared by team of experts and professionals cut across major areas of governance such as health, education, agriculture, public service, and private sector.

    The NLC chairman stressed that the incoming government would be given six months to implement the position paper in the interest of the state, saying that workers would not hesitate to stand against such government who failed to consider the document.

    Omoyeni assured labour leaders that his government would make the welfare of workers a top priority.

     

     

     

     

     

  • NLC seeks cenotaph for ‘unknown’ June 12 backers

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday asked the Federal Government to identify fully with the ideals and lessons of June 12 by removing all obstacles to free, fair and credible elections in the country.

    In a statement, the President of the Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, advised the government to erect a cenotaph in honour of Nigerians and foreigners alike who participated in the June 12struggle.

    The NLC said that beyond declaring June 12 as a national holiday, the government should do everything possible to institutionalise the lessons learnt from the June 12 experience.

    According to the congress, one of the “lesson of June 12 is our capacity as a people to organize free, fair and credible elections. The National Electoral Commission headed by Professor Humphrey Nwosu designed a very unique system of electioneering known as Option A4.

    “This dealt a mortal jab at numerous infractions in our electoral process. Nigerian workers expect that with the introduction of technology in our electoral process, elections in Nigeria should be freer, fairer and more credible than the June 12 outcome.

    “Unfortunately, this is not so as politicians have shown from their conduct in recent elections that violence, vote buying, fraud and abuse of the power of incumbency, and not the will of the electorate, are the most critical success factors in electoral contests.

    “There is more to June 12 than the symbolic commemorations. We urge the Federal Government to identify fully with the ideals and lessons of June 12 by removing all obstacles to free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.

    “This can be best achieved by evolving the needed political will for the deepening of popular democracy and fully implementing the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Report especially aspects that recommended the setting up of Election Offences Commission, representative cum non-partisan recruitment of INEC leadership and INEC unbundling for increased professionalism.

    “We also call on the government to also enforce relevant provisions in our Electoral Act that place a ceiling on political campaign financing and criminalize violence, vote buying and sundry fraudulent acts.”

    The statement reads: “The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on behalf of Nigerian workers celebrates and congratulates all Nigerians on the 25th Anniversary of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. President Muhammadu Buhari has already declared June 12 as a national holiday in commemoration of our democracy.

    “He has also conferred the highest honour in the land to the arrowhead of the June 12 struggle, Chief MKO Abiola. This confirms June 12 as a muster point of our democratic aspirations as one people united by the quest for wellbeing, dignity and prosperity.

    “We salute the working class, civil society activists, the trade unions, women and student groups for their roles and sacrifice in defending the sanctity of June 12 and enthroning our current democracy.

    “Nigerian workers celebrate not just the day – June 12 – but the ideals and the progressive credentials of the icons behind the day. The mast of Chief MKO Abiola’s campaign was “Hope 93”. The core of his campaign message was the promise to eradicate poverty.

    “Not a few political commentators believe that Chief Abiola’s towering image as a foremost international philanthropist and humanist rubbed a lot of credence on his promise of hope.

    “The results of June 12, 1993 elections showed clearly that Chief MKO Abiola’s personality and promise of poverty eradication united millions of Nigerians who defied religious and ethnic boundaries to elect him as the President of the aborted Third Republic.

    “Out of the then 30 states, Chief Abiola won 19 states. A significant feat of great political value was that Chief Abiola won at least a state in all the geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

    “Though from Ogun State in Southern Nigeria, Chief Abiola defeated his only rival, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, in both his ward and in his home state of Kano State. Such a feat has never been recorded in Nigeria’s political history. June 12was simply epochal.

    “When the June 12, 1993 elections was annulled by the military junta led by General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, it was like dusk at sun rise. Nigerians from all walks of life were united in condemning the annulment and demanding the inauguration of Chief MKO Abiola as the President of the Federal Republic.

    “Perhaps, apart from Labour’s struggle against neo-liberal tendencies of successive governments, no other struggle has resonated with Nigerians as the June 12 struggle. For this reason, at an occasion like this, we must all be sobered and tempered by the ideals and lessons of June 12.

    “The first lesson of June 12, is the capacity of our people to rise above ethnic and religious sentiments to recruit political leadership solely on the basis of antecedence, performance and ability to deliver desired developmental goals. This credits our ability as a people to build a modern nation state.

    “The fact that Chief MKO Abiola and his running mate, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe; both Muslims, enjoyed popular acceptance across the geo-political zones of Nigeria deals a cruel blow on the aspirations of many politicians of today to acquire political capital on ethnic and religious premise.

    “Abiola’s politics had content – freedom from poverty. He walked the talk. Nigerians trusted him with their votes. We can hardly say the same of today’s politician who though adorned in the garb of ethno-religious pretensions yet impoverishes the rest of us with mindless looting and dubious perks of office.

    “The second lesson of June 12 is that of the nobility of democratic values and struggles. June 12 represents the struggle for the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria. June 12 also epitomizes the values of freedom, respect for the rule of law and social justice for all.

    “June 12 teaches us that there is lasting reward for every genuine effort to dare injustice. Chief MKO Abiola did not give up on the mandate freely given to him by Nigerians. He dared. Today, he has truly won.

    “We can say the same of other Nigerians such as the legendary Senior Advocate of the Masses, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who was mercurial in his fight for democratic rights. There is also the slain wife of Chief Abiola, Alhaji Kudirat Abiola, who soldiered on like a true amazon behind her persuasion on the sanctity of June 12, and amidst very horrifying odds.

    “The 25th Anniversary of June 12 grants us a good space to reflect on our role as organized labour in the promotion and defense of democracy in Nigeria. The Nigeria Labour Congress was proscribed by the military dictatorship of General Sani Abacha on the account of our principled rejection of the annulment of June 12.

    “Many of our comrades and labour leaders suffered extreme persecution in the hands of the state because of their persuasion on Jun 12.  Comrade Frank Kokori was incarcerated in Bama Prisons on the account of June 12. Space will fail us to list the names of labour leaders, academics, activists and other patriotic Nigerians including NADECO leaders who were tortured, imprisoned, exiled or even killed because of June 12.

    “The NLC has consolidated these efforts by championing national campaigns for electoral reforms. The most prominent milestone of our modest strive are fruits from Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Committee, which NLC was part of. We are also making efforts to reposition the Labour Party. As we said at the 2018 May Day celebration, Nigerian workers will continue to dare and to win.

    “Nigerian workers enjoin the Federal Government to honour Nigerians and even foreigners who suffered enormous discomfort, endured state persecution and even paid the supreme price on the account of their unwavering commitment to the June 12 struggle.”

  • Minister accuses NLC of undermining national interest

    •Labour explains position

    Minister of Labour and Employment  Chris Ngige has said   the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)’s decision to report the country to the Committee on the Application of Standard of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) was done in bad faith and against national interest.

    The NLC had written to the committee reporting both Kaduna and Kogi state governments and asking the ILO to send a high-powered delegation to Nigeria to investigate infringements of the right of workers by the states.

    The report by the NLC against the two states was one of the issues discussed by the Committee on Application of Standard at the just-concluded 107th session of the ILO and the decision of the committee is expected to be ready in November.

    The NLC is asking the ILO to send a high-powered delegation made of experts to visit the country on a fact-finding mission, but the Federal Government delegation said there was no need to send experts as the issue was already being handled.

    The minister, in an interview in Geneva, Switzerland, said the retrenchment of unqualified teachers in Kaduna State, which the NLC stated in its petition, was being tackled at home and needed no mention at the international labour forum.

    He said: “We don’t need to wash our dirty linen in the public. My ministry summoned both the Kaduna State Government and the Nigerian Union of Teachers and they presented their cases. We know the truth and don’t need to bring such to the ILO. Some of the people disengaged by the Kaduna State Government from the records tendered to us are not qualified teachers.

    “They don’t have the prerequisite certificate and competence. They got smuggled into the system, but we don’t need to come here tell the world that Nigerians get jobs with fake certificates. We don’t need to engage in such de-marketing of the nation.”

    The minister said based on agreement with the Kaduna State Government, about ten thousand out of the number that failed the qualification test have re-applied, and the Kaduna State has re-absolved some of them.

    The state government, he said, promised to move others to another jobs.

    It has besides recruited more qualified teachers into the system.

    However, NLC Deputy President Comrade Peters Adeyemi, who represented the congress at the proceedings of the Committee on Application of Standards, said the congress took the matter to the ILO because the governors were behaving more like untouchables.

    He said: “This arbitrariness needed to be checked. We had to come here because, if we cast our mind back, President Muhammadu Buhari, out of pain, looked at governors and asked them, how you can sleep when salaries of workers remained unpaid.

    “The problem has to do with the fact that the states have become lords to themselves to the extent that all our President can do is to lament, because he is not able to make them do what is right. Some of these bailout funds were not used for the purpose they were used for. We know that at some point in time, the Economic and Financial Crimes commission (EFCC) was trying to follow up some of those who misused these funds, but we have not gotten any result.

    “What we are saying is that the ILO should send a high-powered mission to Nigeria to ascertain some of these claims. Clearly, we had to put some of these things before the international community because if, despite his efforts, the president has not been able to do what is required, maybe if it is brought to the international community, people will have reason to begin to think more reasonably that this is a disgrace to our country.”

     

  • ILO: Ngige accuses NLC of undermining national interest

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has said that the decision of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to report the country to the Committee on the Application of Standard of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) was done in bad faith and against the interest of the country.
    The NLC had written to the committee reporting both Kaduna and Kogi State governments and asking the ILO to send a high powered delegation to Nigeria to investigate infringements of the right of workers by the state governments.
    The report by the NLC against the two states was one of the issues discussed by the Committee on Application of Standard at the just concluded 107th session of the International Labour Organization and the decision of the committee is expected to be ready in November 2018.
    The NLC is asking the ILO to send a high powered delegation made of experts to visit the country on a fact finding mission, but the Nigerian government delegation said there was no need to send experts as the issue was already being handled by the Nigerian government.
    The Minister said in an interview in Geneva, Switzerland that the retrenchment of unqualified teachers in Kaduna State which the NLC stated  in its petition was being tackled at home and needed no mention at the international labour forum.
    He said “we don’t need to wash our dirty linen in the public. My ministry summoned both the Kaduna State Government and the Nigerian Union of Teachers and they presented their case. We know the truth and don’t need to bring such to the ILO. Some of the people disengaged  by the Kaduna State Government from the records tendered to us are not qualified teachers.
    “They don’t have the  prerequisite certificate, competence. They got smuggled into the system but we don’t need to come here tell the world that Nigerians get jobs with fake certificates . We don’t need to engage in such demarketing of the nation.”
    The Minister said based on agreement with the Kaduna State Government, about ten thousand out of the number that failed the qualification test have re-applied, and the Kaduna State has re-absolved some of them, promising to move others to others jobs. It has besides recruited more qualified teachers into the system.
    However, Deputy President of the NLC, Comrade Peters Adeyemi who represented the congress at the proceedings of the Committee on Application of Standards, said the congress took the matter to the ILO because the governors were behaving more like untouchables.
    He said: “This arbitrariness needed to be checked. We had to come here because if we cast our mind back, President Buhari, out of pain looked at governors and asked them, how can you sleep when salaries of workers remained unpaid.
    “The problem has to do with the fact that the states have become lords to themselves to the extent that all our president can do is to lament. Because he is not able to make them do what is right. Some of these bailout funds were not used for the purpose they were used for. We know that at some point in time, the EFCC was trying to follow up some of those who misused these funds, but we have not gotten any result.
    “What we are saying is that the ILO should send a high powered mission to Nigeria to assert in some of these claims. Clearly, we had to put some of these things before the international community because if, despite his efforts, the president has not been able to do what is required, maybe if it is brought to the international community, people will have reason to begin to think more reasonably that this is a disgrace to our country.
    “How could possibly defend a situation where somebody work for about seven months or more and they are not paid. This report had to take place now because the rascality of these governors and politicians will go haywire anytime from now.
    “They are not going to think of paying salaries again and every money that comes in is going to be channeled towards political campaign. So, if you don’t get salaries paid now, it is not likely that it will be paid when campaigns hots up. So, we needed to cry beyond the shores of Nigeria because we are all part of the ILO and they have roles to pay,” Adeyemi stated.