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Tag: Trade Union Congress

  • Economists, TUC hail Oyo NUJ Correspondent Chapel’s Secretary

    Economists, TUC hail Oyo NUJ Correspondent Chapel’s Secretary

    The Oyo State Chapter of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES), and Trade Union Congress (TUC) Oyo State Council have hailed emergence of Comrade Rotimi Agboluaje as the Secretary of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council.

    Agboluaje, a correspondent with The Guardian Newspaper, defeated his close competitor, Musliudeen Adebayo of Daily Post.

    Oyo NES in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Dr. Alarudeen Aminu, and Secretary, Dr. Victoria Foye congratulated Agboluaje on his victory, describing it as well deserved and reflective of his professional pedigree.

    NES expressed confidence in Agboluaje’s capacity and ability to deliver effectively in his new role.

    “We at the Nigerian Economic Society (NES), Oyo State, congratulate Mr. Rotimi Agboluaje on his election as the Secretary of the Correspondents’ Chapel of NUJ in Oyo State. This is a well-deserved victory.”

    The economists described Agboluaje as a journalist of proven integrity and competence, noting his commitment to excellence and service.

    “He is an epitome of dedication and professionalism. We have known him to be a diligent journalist, a public relations expert and a consummate communication professional.”

    The NES leadership further expressed optimism that his emergence would positively impact the Correspondents’ Chapel and strengthen professional standards within the journalism community.

    “As one of the executive members of the Nigerian Economic Society in Oyo State, we have no doubt that he will make meaningful impact and make us proud. We wish him outstanding success in this new assignment.”

    Agboluaje serves as the Public Relations Officer of NES in Oyo State. A first-class graduate of Business Administration, he is an Associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), an Associate Registered Practitioner in Advertising (ARPA). 

    Also, he is a Fellow of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), and a member of the Institute of Personality Development and Customer Relationship Management (IPDCRM).

    Oyo TUC described Agboluaje’s emergence as well-deserved victory which reflected his unwavering commitment to excellence and professional integrity in journalism.

    According to a statement by Secretary of Oyo TUC, Comrade Babatunde Balogun, Agboluaje’s victory marked significant milestone, expressing confidence in Agboluaje’s ability to lead with distinction.

    “We wish to congratulate Mr. Rotimi Agboluaje on this remarkable achievement. His election is a clear reflection of his dedication, professionalism, and the immense respect he enjoys among his peers.”

    The TUC commended Agboluaje for his longstanding dedication to the principles of journalism and public service. 

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    “His integrity and competence are exemplary, representing the best of what journalism stands for. We are confident that he will enhance the standards of the Correspondents’ Chapel during his tenure.

    “The TUC, Oyo State Council wishes him tremendous success as he embarks on this new chapter in his career.

    “Once again, congratulations, Mr. Agboluaje. We look forward to your impactful leadership.”

    Agboluaje emerged victorious at the Correspondents’ Chapel executive election held on Tuesday at the chapel’s secretariat in Mokola, Ibadan.

    The keenly contested poll produced a new set of executives who  will steer the affairs of the chapel for the next three years.

    In the contest for the position of secretary, Agboluaje scored  31 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr. Musliudeen Adebayo of Daily Post, who polled 10 votes. The chairmanship seat was won by Mr. Yinka Adeniran of The Nation.

    Other members elected into the executive council include Mr. Remi Koleosho, who emerged as Vice Chairman, and Mr. Sheu Sulaiman of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who was elected Treasurer. Both were returned unopposed.

    The election was conducted by a three-man committee led by Pastor Ola Ajayi and was observed by officials of the NUJ, Oyo State Council. 

    The State Council Chairman, Comrade Akeem Abas, alongside other members of the state executive, monitored the exercise.

  • TUC asks Dangote refinery to recall sacked workers

    TUC asks Dangote refinery to recall sacked workers

    • …backs PENGASSAN, places members on ‘red alert’ over possible strike

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has condemned alleged anti-worker actions of the management of Dangote refinery and petrochemicals, including the “unjust termination of workers for exercising their constitutional right to freedom of association and unionisation.”

    In a statement on Sunday signed by its Secretary General, Nuhu Toro, TUC asked the oil company to reinstate the 800 workers that it allegedly sacked.

    It warned that failure to recall the sacked workers, and a public apology could lead to industrial action.

    The statement said, “We stand in full solidarity with the affected workers and with their union, our affiliate PENGASSAN, whose members have been victimized merely for declaring membership. Such actions amount to a direct assault on Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution and on Nigeria’s obligations under International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions.

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    “We demand immediate and unconditional reinstatement of all affected workers; a public apology from Dangote management with firm assurances against future victimisation.

    “An independent investigation involving the Ministry of Labour, ILO, and stakeholders into the refinery’s labour practices.”

    It added, “Congress hereby places all affiliates on stand-by for a national industrial action if Dangote management fails to comply with these demands within a reasonable time.

    “No corporation, regardless of size or wealth, will be allowed to trample on the dignity and rights of Nigerian workers. The TUC stands united and ready to act decisively in defense of our members and the Nigerian workforce.”

  • What TUC should do over wage awards

    What TUC should do over wage awards

    By Ifeonu Okolo

    SIR: The President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Festus Osifo told reporters in Abuja that only 14 states of the federation are paying wage awards.

    The rest 22 states are not concerned about the award or put differently, they are not concerned whether the average government worker in their respective states survives or not.

    Osifo indicated that the labour leaders would be meeting over the matter. He said a showdown is in the offing between labour and the leadership of the erring states.

    This position was coming shortly after President Bola Tinubu pleaded with state governors to implement the wage award to cushion the effect of subsidy removal on petrol.

    He also stressed that the move will help kill inflationary reactions that may tend to trail the coming new minimum wage as the economy would have adjusted to it.

    The leadership of the TUC deserves commendation for taking cognizance of the nonchalant attitude of most governors toward the well-being of workers on their payroll.

    In fact, most of these governors treat state workers with disdain. To them, the workers under their state payrolls do not deserve any economic enhancement, nor do they deserve to live well. Some believe that the monthly allocations that accrue to the states are meant only for their upkeep and those of their political appointees, as well as their cronies.

    Be that as it may, Comrade Osifo must be made aware that some of those states where the wage awards are not being implemented are due to the failure on the part of the state labour executives.

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    Otherwise, why would a state like Delta, which receives the highest allocation every month from the federation account not be the first to pay the state workers the approved N35,000 wage award?

    This results from the failure of leadership on the part of labour leaders in the key South-south state. Osifo should invite the state chairmen of the labour to show the efforts they have individually made to have the governors pay the wage award and he will be surprised that no effort has been made in that direction.

    The labour leaders at the national level should therefore guide their loin because a similar scenario may play out when the new minimum wage is eventually rolled out. While some governors would dilly-dally about implementing it, some would not implement it at all. Yet, others will cut corners to create a semblance of implementation.

    The best thing that the labour leaders can do for now is to urgently convene the meeting as promised by Festus Osifo and have those states where the wage award is not being implemented shot down as a clear message to the stiff-neck governors that the incoming new minimum wage must be implemented to the letter. This is because leaving the compromised state labour executives to do so by themselves would be a tall order. They do not care.

    This move being planned by the leadership of the labour unions at the federal level against the state governors is what is expected of them because in most cases, the real enemies of the state workers are the governors supported by the state chapters of the labour unions.

    • Ifeonu Okolo, Asaba, Delta State.

  • NLC, others plead with Buhari to constitute PenCom board

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other stakeholders have urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to immediately constitute the board of the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

    NLC President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba who spoke during the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee Public Hearing to Investigate the Activities of PenCom and Violation of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004 as repealed by PRA 2014 at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, said the absence of a board for the commission has created confusion that has made the Committee to call it out for investigation and violation of the Act.

    Wabba said the existence of a board would have made all arguments on who reports to whom which is part of what they are investigating redundant.

    He said the Act empowered the board made up of Chairman, Director-General, four commissioners and management staff, on clear responsibility. He added that members of institutions such as pensioners and trade unions are also represented on the board.

    He said critical stakeholders are not happy because they have not been able to play their role on the board.

    According to him, the stakeholders are supposed to be part of policies, guidelines and another decision-making process PenCom to safeguard workers pension fund.

    He said: “PenCom is a regulator that is supposed to regulate these funds and ensure that all regulations that it will issue is first about safeguarding the money and yield maximum return to the end beneficiary which is the pensioner. The Act does not envisage at any time, that the board will be dissolved and it will not be constituted for a very long time.”

    And that is why if you look at the Act, it is referring to the commission which is made up of the chairman, DG, four commissioners and the management staff. This is the commission and all of them together is what make up the board of management. We are not happy as critical stakeholders because we have a role to play.

    “What is happening today is that our head is being shaved in our absence which is not supposed to be so. But we now have a situation which is very fundamental that the board is not in place. It is respecting the Act to make sure that the board is in place because every board member has a role to play and we will not be here discussing who is supposed to approve a policy if the board was in place.”

    TUC President, who was represented at the event also called for the composition of the Board, stating that they agree with the position of the NLC President.

    Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Pension, Rep. Hassan Shekarau, while reacting to the Board problem that has plagued the commission since 2017 said both the President and the Senate have not been able to resolve the issue of Board composition for the commission.

    While expressing worry, he explained that a petition asking National Assembly not to clear Aliyu Dikko and Funso Doherty both appointed to be Chairman and the DG respectively also caused some delay.

    “When the President dissolved the Board of the commission including other parastatals, names were sent to the Senate for confirmation but unfortunately there was outcry that Aliyu Dikko who was propose to serve as chairman has interest in the pension industry as a shareholder or stakeholder.

    “Also, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo in Acting President capacity sent another list of old commissioners to the Senate and from that time, the Senate did not confirm the list sent by the Acting President and that is the situation up till now. As the Senate Committee Chairman, I am handicapped because, it reduces the function of the committee as there are certain issues that goes beyond the management. It is not their making. So I support the call by NLC president that either the president or the Senate should do the needful so that the Board can be put in place,” he added.

     

  • Oyo workers shun NLC/TUC directive, attend prayer programme

    Despite the decision of labour leaders under the aegis of Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, Oyo state councils, workers under the employ of the Oyo state government on Monday in their hundreds attended the Annual Interreligious service organised by the government to officially begin the working calendar year.

    The labour leaders while responding to an earlier invitation sent to it by the organisers, noted that it resolved at an emergency meeting convened to discuss the matter to boycott the event.

    The letter dated January 11, 2019, and signed by Comrades Kofo Ogundeji and Mayowa Falegbe, NLC and TUC state secretaries respectively also added that members have been “directed to continue with their daily communion with their creator.”

    But the event was not only well attended by the workers from across all the local governments of the state, it also saw 47 workers bagging the awards of “Most Efficient Civil Servants/Public Servants”, from across the government Ministries, Agencies and Departments.

    The award also attracted cash prizes to promote and encourage efficiency among the government workforce.

    The event was also attended by government officials, members of the state executive council, members of the state house of assembly, representatives of the judicial arms, permanent secretaries among others.

    At the event which was the last for the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration saw the Governor bidding the workers farewell while charging them to sustain the tempo and culture of efficiency and effectiveness which his administration has brought into public service.

    However, the labour leaders cited many anomalies and maltreatment of the workers as the reasons for directing the workers to ignore the prayer programme.

    The letter of the labour leaders reads in parts, “that the tense atmosphere among the workforce in the state where promotion was earned and treacherously withdrawn will not attract workers to honour any prayer programme organised by the state government.

    “That where the issue of unpaid 3-18 months arrears of salaries of tertiary institution was not generally addressed will not convince our members to attend such prayer programme.

    “That the suffering and anguish of retiree Primary Schools teachers and retired local government employees arising from unpaid arrears of gratuity and pensions will not allow attendance at such prayer programme.

    “That the hostile stance of government towards the workers of the state cannot attract our members to the programme.

    “Based on the above, labour movement in the state is not interested in the prayer programme and had resolved to boycott the event. Instead, our members have been directed to continue with their daily communion with their creator.”

    While addressing the workers, Governor Ajimobi urged them to be diligent, hardworking and efficient, saying such was a factor to attain greater height.

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    He pointed out that laziness, truancy, misappropriation, disloyalty, negligence have their rewards while hardwork, innovativeness, creativity, diligence, professionalism, dedication enjoys spiritual and material benefits.

    Ajimobi said, “My speech this afternoon shall be in two-fold; to appreciate the good people of Oyo State and to bid you all farewell. There is a saying that there is nothing that has a beginning without an end.

    “The journey which is gradually coming to an end in the middle of this year started with a bold step on May 29, 2011. In the face of many challenges, ups and downs, we were still able to sail through, courtesy of the wisdom of God as well as perseverance and endurance of the good people of Oyo State.”

    The governor said that his administration which remained 135days and 10 hours has successfully delivered on the benefits of democracy in the state, noting that he has also succeeded in changing the attitude of the civil servants which has helped the workers improve tremendously.

    Earlier in her welcome remarks, Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs Hannah Ogunesan, appreciated the governor for his unparalleled achievements as governor of the state, saying he has raised the bar of good governance.

    Ogunesan challenged workers in the state to ensure they all earn their pays through rededication to service, continuous self-development and commitment to enhanced productivity.

    The awards recipients including Miss Modupe Fehintola, a Senior Reporter with the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State(BCOS) and Mrs Ojo Aboyede, a Senior Information Officer, with the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, expressed gratitude to the state government for the award, promising that the honour would spur them to do more.

  • Ekiti workers to join nationwide strike

    Labour unions in Ekiti State have directed workers in both public and private sectors to stay at home from Wednesday to press home for a new minimum wage.

    The state councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) said on Tuesday that the strike will be total.

    The state NLC Chairman, Raymond Adesanmi and his TUC counterpart, Odunayo Adesoye, said the directive affects government workers, including commercial drivers, Okada operators, banks, market men and women should stay off businesses.

    The TUC boss, who spoke on behalf of the labour leaders, said the strike action will be total in Ekiti, saying the body had already entered into agreement with Civil Society Organisations to ensure its success.

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    He said the leaderships of the labour centers in Ekiti had agreed to work together and ensure the success of the nationwide strike, which begins 12 midnight on Tuesday.

    Adesoye said:“The strike action in Ekiti commencing from tomorrow will be total. It is going to be a total paralysis, because both public and private sectors will be affected.

    “The banks, commercial drivers, Okada operators and sole business owners will participate in this strike. We have reached out to the Civil Society Organisations to ensure will mobilize for the strike.

    “We are not going to shy away from picketing areas that fail to conform with our directive as given from Abuja.”

  • TUC urges INEC, security agencies on credible election

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria in Bayelsa State has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other stakeholders on the need to enforce the electoral law and ensure credible 2019 general elections.

    The state Chairman of the congress, Tari Dounana, who spoke in Yenagoa, said the survival of democracy depended largely on free, fair and credible election. He said the electoral body and security agencies could ensure this through the enforcement of the electoral laws.

    He said, however, that politicians, especially the contestants, had great role to play in ensuring credible elections in the country.

    Dounana condemned political thuggery and the increasing incidents of vote buying in the country’s electoral process and urged politicians and the electorates to respect electoral rules and regulations.

    He said: “We are appealing to INEC to step up the game and ensure that all aspirants respect the electoral laws.

    “All critical stakeholders, including the INEC, security agencies, politicians, youths and supporters of political parties need to abide by the rules of the game.

    “Let us remember that we do not have any other country than Nigeria and we must all see that the democracy we have practised is sustained.

    “People should not get involved in anything that will truncate the democracy that we are enjoying; the political gladiators must know that winning election should not be by violence and vote-buying.

    “Voters should not sell their rights or youths should not be used for thuggery. So, we must abide by those tenets that will continue to promote the progress of our country.”

    He further reminded Nigerians that the proceeds from vote selling were short-lived while the agony of helping to install bad governance could last a life time.

    Dounana said: “Respect the law, vote for the right candidate of your choice that will be able turn around the country for the best.

    “Avoid selling your vote; it is dangerous to the system.”

  • Engage people of integrity, union advises Fed Govt

    Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has called on the government to engage distinguished Nigerians into service.

    Acting Lagos State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Tunji Oyeniyi said this in a statement.

    He congratulated the former lnspector-General of Police (IGP), Musiliu Smith on his appointment as  Chairman of the Nigeria Police Service Commission (NPSC).

    Oyeniyi said Smith was overdue for such a sensitive position considering his  wealth of experience, discipline and dedication to his duties.

    “He is long overdue for this sensitive position, considering his track record of immense contributions, doggedness and exemplary leadership quality demonstrated during his service in various formations and as an IG with the Nigeria Police force.

    “We congratulate the new PSC Chairman, who again, has stamped his foot in sands of our time as the history of the Nigeria Police  remains untold without mentioning your wonderful contributions.We believed so much on your ability to continue the good work of transforming, developing and repositioning the Nigeria Police for more greater responsibilities most especially at this turbulent period of our nation’s polity.”

    Oyeniyi also congratulated Olayinka Balogun (rtd), who, he described as a man of great integrity, and other highly trusted members of his cabinet known for their great wisdom, courage and knowledge, urging them to carry-out the numerous challenges of returning the lost glory of the force among the Nigerian populace.’’

    He however urged the new Board to ensure that corruption is reduced to its barest minimum in the Police, noting that it has eaten deep into the fabrics of the society and knowing full well that the policemen are products of the same society.

    Oyeniyi urged the Commission to make the Police more transparent, accountable and unbiased in resolving conflicts among groups in the society to enhance stability and peace.

  • Warning strike: Osun workers stay away from offices

    The Osun Government workers, on Wednesday, stayed away from the state secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, in compliance with the directive of the Joint Labour Unions to embark on a three-day warning strike.

    The News men reports that all the offices at the state secretariat were under lock and key, as no worker was seen on the premises, except the security personnel.

    The same scenario played out at the Olorunda and Osogbo Local Government Secretariats, both in Osogbo.

    The news men recalls that the strike followed a notice issued on Tuesday by the state Joint Labour Unions, comprising the Joint Negotiating Council, Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress,

    The statement directed all civil servants in the state to embark on a three-day warning strike to demand the payment of their salary arrears and other entitlements.

    The unions in the statement are asking the state government the payment of 34 months’ salary arrears of 50 per cent for officers on Grade Level 08 and above, equaling 17 months full salary.

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    “Payment of 34 months pension arrears of retired workers in the state, remittance of 34 months contributory pension arrears, and payment of outstanding gratuity to all pensioners”.

    Also, the workers are demanding payment of the 2016 leave allowances across board to officers of the state government.

    In his reaction, Mr Adelani Baderinwa, the Osun Commissioner of Information and Strategy, said a meeting was being arranged with the workers to resolve the issues rose.

    “We always find a way of resolving whatever differences that we have with the workers in the state and I assure you that this is not going to be an exception.

    “The issues raised are issues that are always being addressed since, even without anybody asking for it, I am sure we are going to find a way of resolving the issues,” he said.

  • TUC urges workers to participate in politics

    The President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Bobboi Bala Kaigama, has urged workers to participate actively in politics to be able to influence policies that directly affect them and their welfare.

    Kaigama, who spoke at the fourth triennial delegates’ conference of the Ogun State Council of the congress in Abeokuta, also urged workers on the need to come out to seek elective positions, as they have great roles to play in the nation’s democracy.

    Represented by the National Secretary of the union, Comrade Lawal Musa, Kaigama said while the union would play its own part by mobilising workers to vote, Nigerian workers need not shy away from participating actively in politics, as it is their right.

    “This is a political era, workers must play a role in the nation’s democracy.

    “As a union, we will play our part; we shall mobilise people to vote. Union people should also take active part in politics, so as to be able to determine our fate. If you refuse to play politics, politics will play you.”

    Kaigama, who said the union’s leadership will not compromise on fighting for the welfare of workers, noted that the leadership had been up and doing, engaging government at various levels to get a better deal for workers.

    The state chairman of the TUC, Olubunmi Fajobi, urged the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, to fulfill his promise to pay all outstanding arrears before leaving office. He also advised him to rescind his decision that civil servants should wait till 2020 to earn promotion.