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  • Minimum wage: NLC warns against excuses, says states should cut down spending

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned states and the organised private sector against coming up with excuses why they cannot implement the new national minimum wage currently being negotiated for Nigerian workers.

    The congress said the minimum wage was implementable the government can cut down on its numerous expenses and extravagant spending which many state government have embarked upon.

    President of the Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba who spoke at a public hearing on the new national minimum wage organised for the north central zone in Lokoja said implementation of whatever is arrived at by the committee is implementable if state governments across the country will cut down on their excesses and large number of political appointees they parade.

    The warning became necessary as some state government within thr zone who were supposed to present their position to the committee stayed as well  the organized private sector led by the Nigeria Employers Consultatice Association stayed away from the public hearing.

    The Nation noticed that the employers body was conspicuously missing both at the Abuja and Lokoja public hearings while Benue, Kwara and Niger states were also not represented at the event organised by the Tripartite Committee on the new national minimum wage to collect from Nigerians into the work of the committee. 

    It was not immediately clear if the states and the employers body has submitted any written submission to the committee for consoderation.

    However, while Kogi state government pledged to abuse by the outcome of the committee recommendations, Plateau state said there has to be a corresponding increase in both internally generated revenue and allocation from.the federation account for the state to be able to implement the new wages that will be recommended.

    Wabba who is a member of the committee said utvwas unfortunate that some of those who are supposed to make their input into the work of the committee through the public hearing choose to stay away, adding that they should not turn round later to complain of not being carried along.

    He said further that states and employers of labour jave always complain of the inability to pay new wages, adding that the problem of the country was not  lack of resources by the ability to manage available resources.

    He stressed that government at all levels will reduce the large number of political appointees and the mismanagement of available resources, there will be enough resources to take adequate care of workers welfare, stressing that while States with huge allocations have been able to manage their resources and pay workers adequately, others have nor been able to do so, thereby owing workers salaries.

    He said states like Jigawa which did nor access the bailout fund have been able to pay salaries of their workers as and when due and also made one of the highest proposal on the new minimum wage to the committee.

    While pledging his state’s willingness to implement the new wages that will be arrived at, Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello wants to consider increasing distributable revenue in favoie of states and local government in other for them to have money to implement the new wage.

    Represented by his Deputy, Elder Simon Achuba, the Kogi governor said “Government earnings still depend principally on the Federation Accounts allocation. That is why we will continue to require the special assistance of the Federal Government for greater impact. To this end, we wish to commend the efforts of the Federal Government in assisting states with funds to settle their financial obligations to workers. This has greatly given respite to the states. 

    ” However, in view of the enormous burden of the obligation occasioned by huge and accumulated debts, we wish to appeal to the Federal Government to consider granting such relief regular intervals to enable states meet their obligation to workers in particular.  

    “We also urge the Federal Government to increase the distributable amount of the Federation Account to all tiers of government especially the States and Local Governments. We want to reiterate that Kogi State Government will always support the efforts of the Federal Government at alleviating and ameliorating the deplorable conditions of service of workers through enhanced salary packages. It is a statutory responsibility we intend to fulfil with zeal and commitment.”

    In its presentation, the Plateau state government said it was proposinf three different salaries of N25,000; N30,000 and N57,000, stressing however that ability to pay any of the recommended wages will depend on commensurate revenue both from the federation account and infernally generated revenue.

    According to the government, if there is no corresponding increase in revenue, the state may be compiled to down size the state work force, pointing out that despite the huge vacancies existinf in the state, the government has not been able to employ new workers because of the lack.of resources.

  • Attack on Senate threat to democracy, says NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described Wednesday’s invasion of the Senate by suspected hoodlums as a violation of the nation’s security and threat to the current democratic dispensation.

    In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the congress said the episode was an unfortunate reminder of the dark says the nation should do without.

    The statement reads: “The invasion of the hallowed chamber of the Senate on Wednesday by hoodlums and miscreants who carted away the mace and other paraphernalia of authority is a violation of the sanctity of the Senate and constitutes a threat to our democracy.

    “It represents a throw-back to those dark old days we are better off without

    “It is equally a sad commentary on the quality of representation. We therefore condemn it in its entirety.

    “We similarly invite all who love Nigeria to rise and condemn this crude and sordid act or conduct.

    “The Senate, from the days of the Greeks and Romans from whom the world borrowed this concept of democracy, has always been a sacred arena for the nobility (in carriage, thought or mind), the best and the brightest, the gifted in oratory, a hatchery of the supremacy of ideas delivered in the most sublime and profound language in furtherance of the interest of fatherland.

    “As a house packed full of representatives from different parts of the Republic, there are bound to be differences (of opinion, tactics, strategy) and even conflicts, but these are expected to be resolved in a dignified manner befitting of men and women of character and learning!

    “It is for this reason there are rules of engagement that every member is made to understand as a precondition to swearing in.”

    Describing the incident as “a big anomaly”, he said the National Assembly’s security apparatus should be called to question for laxity or compromise.

    “Whereas they have often distinguished themselves by keeping at bay constituents and peaceful protesters from the precincts of the National Assembly, these thugs seem to have walked on a laid red carpet.

    “Could these agencies have been acting alone? What is the degree of their complicity?

    “Whichever way, we condemn this primitive conduct and demand sanctions. Let it never happen again. There are better methods, no matter the issues.”

  • Senate invasion a threat to democracy – NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said on Friday that Wednesday’s invasion of the Senate Chamber by suspected hoodlums was a violation of the nation’s security system and threat to the current democratic dispensation.

    In a statement signed by its president, Ayuba Wabba, NLC said the episode was an unfortunate reminder of the dark days which the nation should do without.

    The statement reads: “The invasion of the hallowed chamber of the Senate on Wednesday by hoodlums and miscreants who carted away the mace and other paraphernalia of authority is a violation of the sanctity of the Senate and constitutes a threat to our democracy. It represents a throw-back to those dark old days we are better off without.

    “It is equally a sad commentary on the quality of representation. We therefore condemn it in its entirety. We similarly invite all who love Nigeria to rise and condemn this crude and sordid act or conduct.

    “The Senate, from the days of the Greeks and Romans from whom the world borrowed this concept of democracy, has always been a sacred arena for the nobility (in carriage, thought or mind), the best and the brightest, the gifted in oratory, a hatchery of the supremacy of ideas delivered in the most sublime and profound language in furtherance of the interest of fatherland.

    “As a House  packed full of representatives from different parts of the Republic, there are bound  to be differences (of opinion, tactics, strategy) and even conflicts but these are expected to be resolved in a dignified manner befitting of men and women of character and learning! It is for this reason, there are rules of engagement that every member is made to understand as a precondition to swearing in.

    “It is in consideration of this that we consider what has happened as a big anomaly. We do also believe that the National Assembly Security apparatus should be called to question for laxity or compromise.

    “Whereas they have often distinguished themselves by keeping at bay constituents and peaceful protesters from the precincts of the National Assembly, these thugs seem to have walked on a laid red carpet.

    “Could these agencies have been acting alone? What is the degree of their complicity? Whichever way, we condemn this primitive conduct and demand sanctions. Let it never happen again. There are better methods no matter the issues.”

  • NLC disowns new coalition

    THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has denied ever endorsing the newly formed coalition,  Grand National Coalition of National Intervention Movement.

    In a statement,  its National President,  Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said: “I have found it necessary to issue an immediate and emphatic rebuttal to the story by the Sahara Reporters that I, Ayuba Wabba, mni, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress has endorsed or was part of a meeting that endorsed the Grand National Coalition (GNC) of the National Intervention Movement.”

    He said there is a clear procedure for affiliating, endorsing or consorting with any social or political group outside the NLC.

    “To the best of my knowledge, the issue of affiliating, endorsing or consorting with NIM was not debated in any of our organ meetings or the Labour Party.

    “This is without prejudice to the right of any individual or individuals to exercise in their favour, the right of freedom of association as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended),” Ayuba said.

    Ayuba said  in spite of his respect for the individuals, who attended the said meeting, he has not been attending the meetings of NIM.

     

  • NLC kicks against continental free trade agreement

    NLC kicks against continental free trade agreement

    • Urges Buhari not to sign document

    The African Continental Free Trade Agreement Policy will cripple the economy and leave more Nigerians unemployed, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned.

    The agreement, it said, will expose the economy to unbridled foreign intervention, allowing many foreign companies to operate in the country without employing Nigerians.

    The congress asked President Muhammadu Buhari not to sign the policy document by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, saying it lacks the inputs of relevant stakeholders, including Organised Labour.

    NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, in a statement argued proponents of the document were supposed to consult stakeholders, including Labour and the local business community because of its likely implication on the economy.

    Wabba dismissed the policy document as extremely dangerous and radioactive neo-liberal policy initiative, warning it will have a creeping effect on the economy if it comes to effect.

    He said: “This policy initiative, for instance, will make it possible for a foreign airline to directly do local scheduled flights without employing Nigerians.

    “We are more worried by the probable outcome of this policy initiative if it is given life because of its crippling effect on the local businesses and attendant effects on jobs.

    “We find it confounding at a time nations, including the United States are resorting to protectionism in defence of their local businesses and protection of jobs, we have the audacity to want to fling open our doors, windows and roof tops.”

    He added:  “We have no doubt that this policy initiative will spell the death knell of the Nigerian economy.

    “Accordingly, we urge Mr. President not to sign this agreement either in Kigali or anywhere.

    “We believe our national interest is at stake and nothing should be done to compromise this.”

    Wabba explained further:  “The African Continental Free Trade Agreement rather than unite Africa will only divide it the more.

    “Rather than enrich Africa, it will only pauperise it the more. Those pulling the strings of this radioactive agreement are somewhere, well concealed and protected in the metropolis of the world. They have had this all thought-out and profits computed well ahead.

    “There is no doubt we have need of foreign investment. But in our view, such investment should not be a poisoned chalice. So, once again, we urge Mr. President not to sign the agreement.”

  • What future for NLC?

    What future for NLC?

    •Labour still has a long way to go, 40 years after

    Last week, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) commemorated the fourth decade of its establishment as Nigeria’s most prominent, influential and resilient central labour centre. The history of the NLC since its creation on February, 28, 1978, has been one of grand ironies. It was the military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo that engineered the coalescence of the four central labour centres that existed prior to February, 1978, namely the Nigeria Trade Union Congress (NTUC), Labour Unity Front (LUF), United Labour Congress (ULC) and Nigeria Workers Council (NWC) into one central organisation, the NLC. This restructuring resulted in the streamlining of the over 1,000 trade unions that existed prior to the establishment of the NLC into 42 more manageable industrial unions.

    Ironically, however, it was also under the military that the existence of organised labour as a vibrant component of Nigeria’s civil society was most seriously threatened. The military regime of President Ibrahim Babangida banned the NLC for its vigorous role in the opposition to its Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) while the succeeding General Sani Abacha dictatorship also proscribed the union along with the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) as well as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) for their active participation in the struggle for democratic restoration in the country.

    No less interesting is the fact that it was President Obasanjo as civilian President in this democratic dispensation whose administration took deliberate steps to destabilise, factionalise and weaken the NLC that his military regime had brought into being about two decades earlier. In order to hobble the NLC which, several times, led the resistance to the administration’s incessant increases in the prices of petroleum products, the Trade Union Amendment Law was pushed through the National Assembly by the Obasanjo presidency resulting in the emergence of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) as a rival labour centre to the NLC.

    In addition to often being at the forefront of struggles by civil society groups for human rights, democracy, and humane economic policies over the years, the NLC can count among its achievements, compelling of government to increase the national minimum wage periodically to reflect the cost of living as well as the recognition, since 1981, of May 1 as a national public holiday in honour of the dignity of labour.

    Yet, it is also true that the quality of the organisation’s leadership steadily declined since the golden era of its pioneer National President, Hassan Sunmonu and his successor, Ali Ciroma, with dire consequences for the efficacy and credibility of the congress.

    The 2015 election of the NLC that brought the present Ayuba Wabba-led national executive of the congress into office almost resulted in the disintegration and further fractionalisation of the NLC. Alleging that the elections had been manipulated, some of the aggrieved aspirants left the NLC to form a new labour centre, the United Labour Congress (ULC), which is still seeking registration by government. This kind of unrestrained and indecorous struggle for power within the NLC is widely perceived as a function of the utilisation of these offices by union leaders to accumulate wealth and curry favour with public and private employers at the expense of workers.

    Today, most state governments owe workers several months’ arrears of salaries and allowances. In the private sector, the rights of workers are violated with impunity. There is certainly no way the leadership of labour can meaningfully protect the interest and rights of workers if they are themselves steeped in corrupt and unethical practices, including opportunistic careerism. While we congratulate the NLC for its resilience and survival over the last four decades, its continued efficacy and relevance in future lies in its rediscovering the pristine values of the founding fathers of Nigeria’s labour movement, such as the legendary Pa Michael Imoudu.

  • NLC at 40: So far, so good

    NLC at 40: So far, so good

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is 40. It rolled out the drums to mark the anniversary. Its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and some of his predecessors have been speaking on how the Congress will remain relevant in fighting  workers’ cause and holding those in power accountable. TOBA AGBOOLA reports

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has clocked 40 having been established in 1978. To mark the anniversary, it began a five-day event on Monday at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

    At the event, past and present presidents, secretaries and other officials, including workers relived some of the sad and happy moments of NLC.

    It was a journey down memory lane as speaker after speaker took turns to reminisce. Not only that, the celebration offered a platform for the Congress to address the challenges facing workers and chart a new course for Labour movement.

    First to mount the podium was its former President, Adams Oshiomhole, who also  chaired the occasion. To him, the NLC has every reason to be happy with and celebrate its existence in the past 40 years.

    He said the pioneer President, Alhaji Hassan Sumonu, laid a solid foundation for the labour movement. He said but for Sumonu, the labour movement would not be where it is.

    Speaking on the delay in the emergence of a new national minimum wage, Oshiomhole insisted that what determines the quality of workers is not only the wages, but also the trust in the leadership that their interest is protected.

    He called on the leadership of the Congress and other labour movements to not only improve on the skills of negotiation, but also strive to acquire political power.

    NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, in a keynote address, said the NLC wanted to opportunity provided by the occasion to engage in self-examination of the past, the present and project into the future.

    “We need to celebrate our modest achievements and learn from our mistakes. We need to know if we have adhered to or deviated from the fundamental principles of our organisation. In celebrating these achievements, we need to think of ways of reinvigorating, revitalising and transforming the organisation to a formidable one that can stand the test of time,” Wabba said.

    He traced NLC history to 1974, following the Apena Cementary Declaration, where the leaders of the then four labour federations agreed to bury their political and ideological differences in favour of the formation of a united labour organisation called the NLC.

    According to Wabba, “the understanding was implemented in 1975. But this development in the labour movement ran counter to the thinking of the then military regime of General Murtala Muhammed, who became uncomfortable with the remarkable achievement of the movement for the amiable resolution of differences within the working class movement. This auto-transformation of the movement outside the framework of government meant the growth of an organisation, which she will not be able to control”.

    “Since our formation in 1973, we believe that the NLC has lived up to its mandate as a trade movement which is, the protection and defense of its members. We have also tried to play the role of an advocate for Nigerians, who demand that the economy of the country iproves and that politics is designed and practiced in order to contribute to the development of the country and its citizens.’’

    Wabba said NLC’s struggles have been shaped by the continued division within the political and economic elite, which has delayed national development and harmed the material condition of citizens; massive looting of state resources by the political elite and its deployment in personal consumption.

    He also said the polical elite had been hiding the balances in secret locations around the world, including the absence of formidable opposition political parties, which   drew the labour movement into contentious battles with the states.

    The announcement by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, that the Federal Government will announce a new national minimum wage in the fourth quarter of the year received applause and mixed feelings. Some participants said the new wage should come earlier than the announced date.

    According to Ngige, the Federal Government would announce the new minimum wage before the end of third quarter which is September.

    He added that in furtherance to the determination by the Federal Government to attain the decent work agenda, which involves opportunities for works that are productive and deliver a fair income, security in work place and social protection for families, there had been overtime, three minimum wage reviews and the tripartite committee on national minimum wage was set to review the minimum wage.

    “Memoranda are being received from relevant bodies and persons to enable the determination of a new minimum wage for the nation. By the third quarter of this year, a new minimum wage will be announced for the country,” he said.

    He appealed to workers for more time and understanding because the government wanted to ensure compliance by state governments. Thereafter, other union leaders took turn to address the workers.

    The NLC at 40 Organising Committee Chairman, Comrade Peter Adeyemi, said the NLC from 1978 till date, has, like any human organisation, witnessed some trials and struggles.

    He said on two occasions, its leadership had been dissolved by the military regimes of General Ibrahim Babangida, between March and December 1988, and General Sanni Abacha in 1994 untill Abacha’s demise in June 1998, when the union reclaimed its autonomy two months later in August 1999.

    “In between, the Congress has encountered a number of challenges, gone into battles with the government and other employers and won some memorable victories for Nigerian workers in particular and the masses in general.

    “Reaching our first 40 years is, therefore, an opportunity to celebrate. It is also an opportunity to reflect on decades of struggles, the impediments, the successes and to outline the immediate and medium-term challenges facing our movement as we march towards the golden jubilee of this Congress in another 10 years,” he said.

    Adeyemi added that the objectives of the anniversary were to highlight Congress’ history and its accomplishments, reflect on the challenges facing the NLC and the wider labour movement and identify ways the challenges could be addressed and articulate an agenda for the Congress in the next 10 years as it marches towards its Golden Jubilee.

    The former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, said workers deserved better than what had been offered to them  by government.

    Jega, who was the guest lecturer at the event, urged workers to participate in politics rathet than agitating for wage increase alone.

    Speaking on the topic, “Labour, politics and governance in Nigeria”,  the former Academic Staff Union of Universities’ (ASUU’s) President also urged workers to put pressure on elected leaders to be responsible and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the citizens.

    According to Jega, workers must be mobilised to engage in electoral process to increase and improve the integrity of the process and contest on the platform of the working people’s parties.

    A member of the NLC Central Working Committee, who is also the Secretary-General of the Textile Union, Comrade Issa Aremu, said the NLC remained the biggest labour centre in Nigeria and, indeed, in Africa with over seven million members organised and potential 40 million members.

    He said the NLC with seven million worker – membership from 52 affiliate industrial unions, is the biggest independent free trade union movement in Africa, followed by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).

    He said the NLC can improve on its democratic heritage, if members avoid the pitfalls of exclusion, which often undermine unity and cohesion.

    “In the years to come, all unionists must be united and stop divisive leadership tussles. At 40,  NLC must put pressures on the likes of Governor El-Rufai of Kaduna State to stop undermining union organisational and financial independence.

    “The governor must withdraw the recent reported illegal anti-union stoppage of check-off dues to public unions in Kaduna State.

    “The governor’s reported directive is reminiscent of colonial and military anti-union discredited and unsustainable decrees and measures aimed at undermining the unions. President Muhammadu Buhari must impress it on  all  governors to follow his commendable steps in bailing out the state workforce through payments of bail outs to the governors. He must also defend the 1999 Constitution with respect to labour matters. Labour issues are purely Federal exclusive issues not state affairs,” Aremu said.

  • Workers must demand how FG will spend recovered funds – Falana

    Workers must demand how FG will spend recovered funds – Falana

    Human right activist, Femi Falana (SAN), said on Wednesday that Nigerian workers must demand from the government how the money recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would be spent.

    Speaking on the final day of the 40th anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Falana accused the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration of not fighting “the real corruption,” saying the government was scratching the issue on the surface.

    He described the third force being canvassed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo as the real party for the working class, saying the NLC must take steps to rebrand and revive the Labour Party and make sure it does not become a dumping ground for disgruntled elements of the ruling party.

    He said Nigerian workers must rise in defence of the country by demanding accountability and judicious use of the recovered looted funds as many citizens are dying of starvation.

    He added that Nigeria cannot be complaining of being broke considering the huge public resources in private hands.

    He said: “NLC has a role to play to protect the interest of the Nigerian people. That is why whenever there is a problem in the country, people will be asking where is NLC. If you say you are fighting corruption, we have nothing to lose but to join them to expose themselves.

    “The EFCC in the last two and half years recovered N750 billion. NLC must find out what will they do with the money. I told government publicly that what they are doing by saying they are fighting corruption is a tip of the iceberg. The real corruption is not been fought.

    “I wrote a letter to the Minister of Finance and itemised how this country can recover about $200 billion. Therefore, they don’t need to go anywhere to borrow money.  But what the minister did was to write me back to acknowledge the receipt of the letter and that it is receiving attention. And up till now that letter is receiving attention.

    “In 2006, the then CBN governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, gave $7 billion to 14 banks and those banks have not paid back the money. Also in 2008, the former CBN governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, gave six banks N600 billion and up till now, the money has not been returned. You cannot say we are broke, pay back this money.”

     

  • Buhari greets NLC at 40

    Buhari greets NLC at 40

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday congratulated the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on its 40th anniversary.

    He joined all Nigerian workers, retirees and pensioners in celebrating the milestone of the vibrant labour union that has lived up to the expectations of its founding fathers by protecting the interest of Nigerian workers through viable engagements with public and private sector employers.

    The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, affirmed that the NLC has burgeoned into a matured and focused umbrella for all workers in the last four decades by consistently projecting the voice of the workers and negotiating a healthier position for them on the rungs of the Nigerian economy.

    At 40, President Buhari extolled present and past leaderships of the NLC for their contributions to the development of the nation, which includes their historical struggle for the return of democratic governance and penchant for always speaking the truth to those in power.

    The President re-assured  Nigerians that his administration would always work towards an inclusive economy that adequately caters for workers and their families.

  • NLC: Reflections on 40 years of struggle

    NLC: Reflections on 40 years of struggle

    Institution-building is today globally acknowledged as the hallmark of nation-building. But often the focus is on the state institutions. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is a non-state institution that has come of age in defence of the interests of its working and retired members in line with the objectives of its constitution. Barack Obama, the 44th President of United States of America, admonished Africans during his historic visit to Ghana in 2009 to build “strong institutions” in place of strong men. If Obama was conversant with the history of labour movement in Africa including that of the NLC, he would have known that African workers despite the enormous challenges of organizing have been building strong organizations with strong working women and women.

    It is remarkable NLC celebrates at 40 with a number of activities and manifestations that include thanksgivings and public lectures. Unarguably, NLC remains the biggest labour centre in Nigeria and indeed in Africa with over seven million organized from 52 affiliate industrial unions. As the biggest independent trade free union movement in Africa, it is rivalled by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in terms of independence and self-assertion. The two biggest labour centres in Africa maintain robust bilateral engagement on organizing, collective bargaining and international solidarity campaigns. The NLC acts national and global. It is an activist affiliate of the Accra-based organization of Africa Trade Union (OATUU) and Geneva -based global union, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), representing over 200 million workers in 156 countries and national territories with other 311 affiliate unions worldwide. It is also active member of International Labour Organization (ILO). Organizational birthdays are occasions to celebrate the past achievements and set the agenda for the future. What then are the achievements of NLC four decades after?  Anniversary celebrations obviously raise the question of institutional memory. The NLC at 40 is the “third NLC” in history. Capitalists, employers and owners of means of production do concentrate power and form transnational organizations to maximize profits. Conversely workers and their unions saw the need to form inclusive national and international organizations aimed at maximizing labour’s welfare and curtail exploitation by capital. Under British colonialism, the first generation of unionists not only formed trade/house unions but also tirelessly worked to form central national labour organizations that could confront colonial capital with its exploitation and oppressions. The iconic visionary labour leaders and drivers of this historic organizing effort included Labour Leader Number One Michael Imoudu, H.P. Adebola, Wahab Goodluck, S.U. Bassey, J.O. James, N.F. Pepple, A.I. Okwese, E.A.O Odeyemi, J.U. Akpan, R.A. Ramos, Okon Esshiett and Vincent Igwe Jack. The first Nigeria Labour Congress first was formed in 1950. The inaugural conference of the second NLC was on December 18, 1975 at the Banquet Hall of the Lagos City Council hall,  on the ashes of the then existing four labour centres, namely United Labour Congress (ULC), Nigeria Trade Union Congress (NTUC), Nigeria Workers’ Council (NWC) and Labour Unity Front (LUF). The second NLC was inspired by the great oration delivered by the late Okon Esshiett, who was then Director of Trade Union Institute (TUI), at the burial of the late Chief J.A. Oduleye at Apena Cemetery in Lagos in 1975. The speech is also known as the Apena Declaration in labour cycle. The efforts at new NLC were successful until the then Federal Commissioner for Labour in the administration of General Murtala Mohammed, Major General Henry Adefope, announced the new Federal military Government’s Labour Policy of “limited Government Intervention and Guided Democracy in Trade Union matters”. This led to the wholesale restructuring of the then existing hundreds of house unions into national industrial union.

    In 1978, despite military intervention, NLC re-emerged as a product of the independent efforts of comrades to forge a common front in advancing workers’ interests. This year is, therefore, also a year of celebration of all the unions in both private and public sectors affiliated to the restructured NLC in 1978. With documented struggles spanning four decades, the NLC has truly “come of age” as a pan -African (and indeed global) strong institution. The presidents of NLC to date are comrades Hassan Sunmonu (1979-1984), Ali Chiroma (1984-1988), Paschal Bafyau (1988-1994), Adams Oshiomhole (1999-2007), and Omar Abdul Waheed (2007-2015) and Ayuba Wabba. Undoubtedly, every serious labour leader brings to bear his determination, knowledge and courage to improve members’ working and living conditions. With negotiated four national minimum wages since 1981, NLC has commendably provided minimum pay standard for workers. However with the neo-liberal policies of Naira devaluation and deregulation, it is clear that Nigerian workers then on N125 (about $200 in 1981!) in real terms were better than workers on N18, 000 (less than $50) in 2018! The NLC in the years to come must contend with macro-economic instability in Nigeria’s foot loose crony capitalism. It is Economicide, (an economic equivalent of political genocide!) to systematically deny workers adequate pay. NLC at 40 must quickly conclude its negotiations on the new minimum wage. There should be an anniversary new minimum wage! NLC should demand for ease of living and working as much as organized businesses demand for ease of doing business. With 11 delegates’ conferences of NLC in 40 years, notwithstanding the challenges that trailed the last one in 2015, it is self-evident that the NLC exhibits democratic traditions and experiences.

    If we add regular organs’ meetings such as that Central Working Committees, National Executive Councils’ meetings in the past 40 years, NLC passes democratic test in quantitative terms. In the years to come, NLC can only qualitatively improve on its democratic heritage. Comrades must avoid the pitfalls of exclusion which often undermine unity and cohesion. Anniversary period is also a good time of organizational self- criticisms and reflections. In the years to come, all unionists must be united and stop divisive leadership tussles. If unionists operate separately, precarious work will defeat them collectively through non-payments of salaries of some civil servants, devaluation of the Naira, retrenchment and wholesome unfair labour practices by many employers in the private sector. The anniversary offers a platform for a critical and constructive engagement among comrades for a better, repositioned NLC. Forward Ever! Backward Never!

     

    • Aremu mni, is a member of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the NLC.