The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Strike

  • ‘Focus on economy not strike’

    The Executive Director Leadway Assurance, Ms. Adetola Adegbayi, has called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to focus on how to grow the economy rather than embarking on strike over increased petrol price.

    Ms. Adegbayi, who made the call while speaking on “The Role of Loss Adjusters within a Challenging Economic and Insurance Environment” at the Investiture ceremony of the Institute of Loss Adjusters (ILAN) in Lagos, said the NLC should be embarking on strike to force the oil companies to have refineries, which will in turn serve the people, adding that the Labour should be more concerned about how the Nigerian economy can be restored and not be import dependent.

    She said: “Labour had called on Nigerians to embark on strike. I begin to wonder what we are striking for. Is it the fact that there is increase in the price of petrol or what is really important? Is it not more important for us to focus on what happens to the value of naira in respect to dollar and other foreign currency we use in importing this petrol?  Shouldn’t we really be striking to force the oil companies to have refineries in-country?

    “The crude comes from the Niger Delta and within this region; there is an exploration into the interland. So if we are to calculate the kilometres/miles from one end of the Delta to other areas including Lagos State, we will have enough points to position refineries to serve the people.

    “Dollar appreciated to N350 and pounds to N500 because our economy is too dependent on importation. Our economy has been bastardised that it’s not self-sustaining. So shouldn’t refineries be the priorities of Labour because more people will be employed. When this happens, they will acquire assets, acquire liabilities and the insurance industry will have more things to protect.

    “Why is it that labour is getting us to be striking against what is inevitable when they can be striking to compel what is possible that has not been done, it is when we compel what is possible that has not been done that our industry begins to grow,” she added.

  • NLC suspends strike, ready for negotiation

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended the nation wide strike action called to protest the increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as petrol, saying the action was a huge success.
    In a communique at the end of a two hour meeting of the National Executive Council, the congress said it was said it was ready to return to the negotiating table to discuss the issues that led to the strike and other burning issues affecting the welfare of Nigerian workers.
    It said in calling the action, it expected challenges from both within and outside the congress and was therefore not surprised by government’s negative response, adding that it felt fulfilled by having the presence of mind and courage to identify its missio. And fulfilling it.
    The communique signed by the President of Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and the General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson said however that it will continue to resist wrong legislations, policies and programmes of government and will always act in the best interest of Nigerians as it remains the only pan Nigerian organisation not affected by religion, region, creed, partisanship or primordial sentiments.
    The congress asked the government to play by the rules in its engagement with its constituent parts, stakeholders and non-state actors as proof of its commitment to deepening democracy in the country and also in acknowledgment of the well-worn credo that what goes around, comes around.
    It commended the National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly for their intervention and asked the citizenry to be vigilant at all times as the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

  • Bayelsa workers begin indefinite strike over unpaid salaries

    The relationship between Organised Labour in Bayelsa State and Governor Seriake Dickson finally broke down yesterday, following the inability of the governor to pay backlog of salaries owed workers.

    The state chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in a joint statement directed their members to embark on an indefinite strike to protest “Dickson’s insensitivity to their plight”.

    Dickson and his Restoration Government owe civil servants salaries about five months and local government employees for about 13 months.

    The development has thrown workers and residents into untold hardship with many of them begging.

    Non-payment of salaries has brought the economy of Bayelsa, known generally as a civil service state, to its knees, with many business ventures shutting down operation.

    The labour unions had earlier given Dickson a 21-day ultimatum to pay workers or face industrial action.

    The unions said the strike option became necessary, following the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum.

    The NLC and TUC, after a joint meeting at the council’s secretariat, said they could no longer guarantee the existing industrial harmony in the state.

    The unions said the government had refused to yield to their demands.

    The NLC Chairman, John Bipre Ndiomu, and TUC Chairman, Tari Dounana, deliberated on the plight of the workers.

    On the nationwide strike called by NLC, the action did not achieve its expected effectiveness as workers went to work as usual.

    The main secretariat and offices in Yenegoa opened for work as civil servants reported early to work.

    Many of the workers in the main secretariat reported to office as early as 8am. Banks also opened for business.

    But courts in the state capital did not open just as the House of Assembly did not sit.

  • Fuel price strike: Senate to interface with FG, NLC

    The Senate Wednesday resolved to interface with the Federal Government and the organised labour on an early resolution of the industrial action by a faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the fuel price hike.

    The upper chamber mandated its Committee on Labour to interface with both the Federal Government and the organised labour to ensure that issues that led to the strike are quickly resolved.

    Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, announced this after about 30 minutes closed session.

    Ekweremadu said that the Senate in the closed session deliberated on the nationwide strike by organised labour.

    He noted that the intervention of the Senate became necessary in order to find ways and means of resolving the issues that led to the strike to avoid inflicting untold hardships on Nigerians.

    He added that “We also mandated the committee on Labour under the chairmanship of Senator Mohammed Nasif, to continue to interface with both government and labour for an early resolution of all the matters.”

    Meanwhile the upper chamber adjourned plenary till Tuesday May 24, 2016.

    Although Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, claimed that the adjournment was informed by the need to enable standing committees to works on bills referred to them, insiders said that the adjournment was actually to allow Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators time to prepare for their national convention holding in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital on Saturday.

     

     

  • Workers in North West shun NLC strike

    Public and private sector workers in five states of the North West on Wednesday defied the nationwide strike action ordered by the Ayuba Waba faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over fuel price increase.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that federal and state workers in Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, and Kebbi have reported to their duty posts in defiance of the order.

    Reports from the five states indicated that socio-economic activities were also going on, with schools, banks, markets, hospitals and other businesses fully opened.

    In Sokoto, some civil servants said they would not join the strike because it would only aggravate current hardships in the country.

    “Such strikes would only aggravate our situation; the NLC should have given the Federal Government the benefit of the doubt,’ Aliyu Musa, a worker at the Shehu Kangiwa Secretariat, said.

    Mr Mathias Iliya, a federal worker said “no worker in his right senses will join the strike action.

    “Nigerians should be fervently prayerful and patient with the Buhari administration as his intentions towards Nigerians are truly sincere.”

    Mr El-Mustapha Sani, the Police spokesman in the state, said all Area and Divisional Commands had been put on red alert.

    “The command had also made arrangements to fully patrol the state to protect lives, public and private property,” Sani said.

    In Kaduna. civil servants and all businesses including motor parks were fully opened, with residents going about their normal business.

    At the Kaduna State University, normal academic activity was going on with students taking lectures.

    Workers of the institution have also fully turned out for work, and according to the university’s Public Relations Officer, Adama Jafar, there was no directive from any union to proceed on strike.

    At the Olusegun Obasanjo State Secretariat, some of the workers interviewed said that they were not convinced with the NLC’s argument for the strike.

    One of the workers, Hajiya Lami Bello said that the NLC should respect the decision of the National Industrial Court, which ordered the union not to proceed with the strike.

    Another worker, Karim Ahmed said most civil servants were conscious not to fall into the trap of `no work, no pay’ as announced by the government.

    On her part, Sarah Bijimi urged the NLC and Nigerians to be patient and support the Federal Government’s action, saying “with time things will get better.”

    At the Barau Dikko General Hospital, health workers including doctors, nurses, laboratory staff were seen attending to out-patients and those on admission.

    Jonathan Yohanna, a staff of the state Ministry of Health, said “we are not on strike, all our hospitals are functional and our officials are working.”

    The State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, said it had deployed 600 personnel to guard strategic public installations in the state.

    Mr Orndiir Tergungwe, the command’s spokesman said the move was to avoid breakdown of law and order during the period of the strike.

    “We advise the residents to be law abiding and go about their normal business. We reassure the residents that their security will be guaranteed.”

    A check at the Kaduna Central market indicated that traders have turned out for full business.

    Yusuf Bala, a rice dealer, said “we don’t have confidence in NLC because at the end of every strike we don’t benefit from any relief.”

    Maman Kobo, a Provision seller, advised the labour union to “ sit down and dialogue with government rather than embark on strike.”

    Reports from Kebbi indicated that civil servants had also defied the NLC’s call for total strike action.

    NAN reports that government offices, markets, banks and business centres have opened for normal business, while civil servants have reported to their places of work as early as 8:00am.

    The Chairman of the state NLC, Murtal Usman, told NAN in a telephone interview that he was on his way to Birnin Kebbi from Abuja, and insisted that the strike would hold.

    According to him, the NLC will assemble workers by 10:00 am at the Labour House before embarking on the strike.

    The State Secretary of Birnin Kebbi Federal Medical Centre of National Association of Nurses and Midwives, Usman Mohammed, said they had not received any signal to embark on the strike.

    “We are waiting for the signal from the national secretariat of our association and until we receive the signal we will not embark on the strike”, he added.

    A cross section of workers and residents indicated they were not satisfied with the reasons advanced by the NLC to embark on the strike.

    In Kano, the nationwide strike action called by the organised labour has also met a setback, as workers in the state ignored the directive.

    A NAN correspondent who monitored the situation reports that state and federal government workers had all reported to their various places of work.

    When NAN visited Audu Bako Secretariat, and Federal Government Secretariat at about 8:30 am, workers were seen in their respective offices while others were seen within the premises in groups discussing about the strike.

    Similarly, all commercial banks, markets and motor parks had all opened for business in the state.

    As at the time of filing the report, traders at the two major markets in Sabon Gari and Kantin Kwari had opened their shops for business as directed by the National President of the Harmonised Traders Union of Nigeria, Alhaji Bature Abdulaziz.

    Abdulaziz had on Monday called on traders across the country to ignore the planned strike by the labour unions.

    At the First Bank of Nigeria, Kano main branch, workers were also seen going about their normal schedules.

    One of the staff of the Bank who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, described the strike as unnecessary, adding that majority of Nigerians were not in support of it.

    “This strike is a failure as most Nigerians are not in support of it”, he said.

    NAN also reports that primary and secondary schools as well as other higher institutions in the state had opened.

    However, in Bayero University Kano, some lecturers had joined the strike while others were working.

    In Katsina, NAN reports that the workers at the State and Federal Secretariats have reported to their duty posts.

    Jibrin Garkuwo, a middle level worker said that they decided not to join the strike because Katsina was the home state of President Buhari.

    He said that they are ready to support the president to achieve his economic policies that will move the country forward.

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of NLC in the state, Alhaji Lawal Sandawa, said the union would assess the situation before commenting on the str

  • CSOs hail TUC, NLC faction for shelving strike

    The Stand Up Nigeria (SUN) and a coalition of over 50 civil society organizations have commended Nigerian workers for shunning the strike being called upon by a faction of NLC, describing it as a needless
    venture that was arranged to service the interest of a few minority.

    National Coordinator of (SUN), Comrade Philip Agbese, while reacting to the outcome of the meeting between the Federal Government and labour, said it is obvious that patriotic Nigerians have resolved to support the current administration’s deregulation policy. He said the action of the Federal Government at the first instance is in the best interest of the larger population of the people and no amount
    of intimidation should cow the President into submission. According to Agbese, Nigerians have since realized that a strike action is not in their best interest, adding that the anti-deregulation proponents are economic saboteurs who are working against the interest of the generality of Nigerians

    Agbese, said by standing on the side of the people and supporting the deregulation policy, Ajearo, has shown that he is the true leader of the NLC and should lead the labour movement in Nigeria without any further delay. He accused the Ayuba Wabba faction of not doing anything to protect workers rights. Saying “workers are being owed several months salaries and the NLC did not go on strike.” He argued that subsidy only enrich a few and impoverished the larger population. According to him, the N1.2 trillion paid out as subsidy in 2015 budget, if properly invested in other sectors could have built more infrastructures and created jobs.

    He said, “As I speak to the press tonight, we have received the casket that signifies the final death of “subsidy” which has been used to milk the resources of this country by a certain minute minority and it shall be formally interned by 2pm today in the full glare of the Nigerian media for all to see that this epidemic will never visit us again in thenearest future.”

    He also commended the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) who he said saw reasons and pulled out of the strike.

  • Pressure mounts on unions to shelve fuel price strike

    Pressure mounts on unions to shelve fuel price strike

    MOVES to avert a massive workers’ strike over the fuel price increase – from N86.50kobo to N145 – began at the weekend.

    Labour unions are planning to go on strike as from Wednesday to force a reversal of the increase. But the Federal Government is calling for talks to stop the action.

    Besides, the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and a coalition of civil society organisations have called on Labour to take it easy.

    The government has said the new price regime came about because there is  no forex for importers who must now source for their forex from secondary sources and import in a deregulated environment.

    In a statement yesterday, the President of the ACCI, Mr Tony Ejinkeonye, said: “ACCI is calling on the NLC to shelve their planned nationwide strike.

    “We in ACCI made it clear over the years that it’s impossible for government to continue subsidy payments on petrol.

    “That is why we are asking labour and indeed all Nigerians to support the government at this time,” the ACCI president said.

    According to Ejinkeonye, a strike will offer more knocks to the economy.

    Also yesterday, an elder statesman and retired Bishop of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Right. Rev. Bolanle Gbonigi, urged the unions to embrace peace.

    Rev. Gbonigi made this appeal at the weekend in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during the presentation of two books written by a radio journalist, Mr Oye Agunbiade.

    The retired Bishop said what President Muhammadu Buhari needs from Nigerians, particularly the labour unions, is support for this decision on the oil sector.

    He, however, urged the Federal Government to explain clearly to Nigerians if the policy is full deregulation or partial.

    Rev. Gbonigi, who is also the Chairman of the Yoruba Unity Forum, maintained that he had been an advocate of subsidy removal.

    He explained that the oil subsidy removal was long overdue and that Nigerians should praise the Buhari’s administration for having the courage to take the bold step.

    The elder statesman pleaded with the workers’ unions to exercise patience.

    He urged them to seek negotiations that would lead to better reforms in the oil and gas industry rather than embarking on a strike.

    Rev. Gbonigi said the government must sensitise the masses on the issue.

    He noted that the government must beg Nigerians genuinely on why the step was necessary.

    On the perception that the Buhari administration is slow in delivering dividends of democracy to the electorate, Rev. Gbonigi said “slow and steady” would make things work better.

    A Lagos lawmaker, Mr Segun Olulade, also yesterday urged organised labour to dialogue with the Federal Government rather than engage in an industrial action over the increase in the pump price of petrol.

    Olulade, the Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health, gave the advice in a statement signed by him in Lagos.

    He said rather than protest, organised labour should discuss with the government so as not to put Nigerians through further suffering.

    “The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) should dialogue with the government rather than marching innocent workers out for a protest that can earn them no tangible outcome,” he said.

    The lawmaker praised the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) for showing understanding and support for the policy.

    “I share the pains of Nigerians and labour force, but there is nothing reasonably viable than to deregulate the sector.

    “This will save Nigerians the incessant and persistent agony of accessing petroleum products which are God- given resources to the Nigerian masses.

    “Among all the oil exporting countries, Nigeria is the only country that still lives in the euphoria of oil sector regulation and, as such, denying the nation of economic benefits accruable from the sector.

    “From availability of the products to job creation and to huge oil sales revenue, the hardship is temporary and I am sure Nigerians will smile in no distant future,” Olulade said.

    He praised the patience and cooperation of Nigerians, stressing that the people deserved nothing but the best from the government.

    The lawmaker said that President Buhari’s administration would not let the people down, pleading for their endurance and cooperation.

    A coalition of civil society organisations has called on the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to shelve their proposed nationwide strike over the increase in the price of petrol.

    A statement signed by Mr Tosin Adeyanju, Executive Director, Conscience Nigeria, for the group issued yesterday in Abuja  listed some members of the collation supporting deregulation of the oil sector as Stand up Nigeria, Centre for Leadership Development (CPALD), National Youth Council of Nigeria and Arise Nigeria.

    Adeyanju said embarking on strike would do more harm than good to the country’s economy.

    “We all know the implication that will arise as a result of this sudden change.

    “We must endure this phase in other for our country to survive these present economic realities that are very obvious.

    “We equally appeal on the NLC and other civil society colleagues to shelve the proposed nationwide strike and engage the government.

    “We want NLC to engage government on the need to create immediate palliatives to cushion the effect of this policy instead of worsening the already bad economy of the country.

    “If our country is shut down as proposed, billions of naira will be lost and the country will suffer for it in the long run,” Adeyanju said.

    He said that no fewer than 20 CSOs were in support of the bold step of the Federal Government to fully deregulate the oil sector.

    According to Adeyanju, the new phase of deregulation championed by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources was worthy of commendation after many years of monumental corruption in subsidy regime.

    “No nation can move forward without liberalization or deregulation of its critical economic sector like ours as it was done in the telecommunication sector.

    “About 80 per cent of our country’s revenue comes from oil proceeds and as the global economic meltdown continues, there is need for this to take place if we must be taken seriously in the comity of nations.

    “Therefore, the step taken by the minister to deregulate this critical sector is the best at this material time,” he said.

    The group proposed immediate interventions by government to cushion the effect of the new pump price of petrol, and called for introduction of subsidized transportation system across the country to ameliorate sudden hike in transportation rates.

    They also urged government to immediately begin the implementation of the 2016 budget.

    “Government should also begin immediate engagement of all stakeholders across the country to inform them about the benefit of deregulation and its benefit to the Nigerian people.

    “We all must be conscious of the fact that we have no other country than Nigeria.

    “We all must strive to make sure that the country works for the good of all and the present leadership of the country has demonstrated that by its action thus far.”

  • Strike paralyses court activities in Ondo

    Strike paralyses court activities in Ondo

    Court premises in Ondo State were Tuesday under lock and key as Judiciary workers under the auspices of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) began an indefinite strike.

    Their action was hinged on the alleged failure of the state government to honour an agreement reached on the financial autonomy of the judicial arm of government.

    The workers who complied strictly with the strike order urged the state Governor to honour the agreement for industrial harmony in the state.

    Some judiciary workers who were seen at the premises of the Magistrate court, Oke Eda, Akure, said they were at the court premises to enforce the strike order.

    Also in Akokoland, the usually busy court premises were deserted.

    A man, Emmanuel Ojelabi who came to Magistrate Court,Ikare-Akoko as early as 7.00 a.m to transact business went home disappointed as he could not gain entry into the premises.

    An executive member of JUSUN who spoke in confidence said “we are monitoring the court in case we can see any of our member who wants to disobey the union’s directive. The status quo remains until another directive comes from the leadership of the union.”

    Speaking on the development, the state chairman of JUSUN, Mr. Ilesanmi Dido said the union could no longer allow the government to continue to breach Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which grants financial autonomy to the judiciary.”

    According to him, the administration of justice has collapsed in the state judiciary due to poor funding and non-payment of over four months salaries of JUSUN members by the state government

    The JUSUN chairman contended that if Governor Olusegun Mimiko had implemented the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on financial autonomy for the judiciary, judges and workers would not have been owed salaries.

    Dido said the autonomy would address the deplorable condition of court rooms,adding that that the strike would continue until the state government honours the agreement reached with the union two years ago on the matter.

  • Reps to stop doctors’ planned strike

    Reps to stop doctors’ planned strike

    The House of Representatives yesterday mandated its committees on Health as well as Labour and Productivity to intervene in an impending strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

    The resolution of the House was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Kingsley Chinda, who lamented the culture of incessant strikes in the country.

    The House adopted the motion after it was put to vote by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara.

    NARD threatened to begin strike if its demands were not met by the Federal Government within 21 days.

    Chinda, while moving the motion, said: “The recurring strikes in Nigeria have, in recent times, assumed an alarming dimension, resulting in low productivity and poor quality service delivery by public institutions and, by extension, affected socio-economic development of the country.

    “Health is of great importance in the well-being and development of any nation, including Nigeria, thus Section 17 (3)(d) of the constitution states that the State shall direct its policy towards ensuring that ‘there are adequate medical and health facilities for all persons.

    “In recent times, there have been numerous nationwide strikes in the health sector by bodies, such as Joint Health Workers Union of Nigeria and the National Association of Resident Doctors, among other bodies operating in that sector.”

    According to him, the recurring strikes, especially in the health sector, have continued unabated despite palliative measures by government.

    The lawmakers urged the doctors to allow the National Assembly to intervene and shelve their decision to begin the planned nationwide strike in the interest of Nigerians.

  • Minister appeals to labour to shelve planned strike

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to shelve its planned warning strike over the new electricity tariff.

    The minister made the appeal in Abuja at the Third Triennial National Delegates Conference of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC).

    “The dispute over the increment in electricity tariff is right before the National Assembly and it is only right that as law abiding social partners that all parties afford the National Assembly to arbitrate.

    “The President of NLC is not here but this occasion offers a crucial avenue for me to state government’s position on this hot button issue,” Ngige said.

    The minister advised investors in the power sector to provide decent working environment for their staff members as his ministry will no longer tolerate unfair labour practices, urging workers to give their utmost in promotion of productivity.

    Last week, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) resolved to organise a one-day action of protest and national warning strike over the state of the nation, especially the increase in electricity tariff and the fuel crisis.

    In an address presented by the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, to the opening session of the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of the congress held at the Labour House, Abuja, he said the response to the prevailing economic situation by all tiers of government in the country has been a source of worry for many Nigerians, especially Nigerian workers.

    According to him, Nigerians are feeling the heat and harsh realities of the economic crisis in the country, whose immediate cause is the drastic fall in the price of crude oil, which is the primary source of our nation’s foreign exchange earnings.

    Specifically, the NLC president decried the unjustifiable 45 per cent increase in electricity tariff, saying that the increase was “illegal, unfair, unjustifiable and a further exploitation of the already exploited Nigerians”.

    He pointed out that the due process in the extant laws for such an increment was not followed in consonance with Section 76 of the Power Sector Reform Act, 2005.