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Tag: TUC

  • NLC, TUC alert Fed Govt to new trade union

    NLC, TUC alert Fed Govt to new trade union

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have alerted  the Federal Government to the existence of a new labour union.

    Their letter dated January 19,  was signed by the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama.

    Titled: Need to avert anarchy in the industrial relations system in the country: Mushroom/Shell trade unions and addressed to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, the two leaders  said they were constrained to bring the issue to the minister’s attention because of the damage the new union could cause to the labour movement.

    They said the new union’s  leaders, after failing in their bid to lead the NLC, following the successful conduct of the rescheduled election at the 10th delegates’ conference of the congress last March, set up the union.

    The letter reads in part: “Some of our colleagues have been making concerted efforts to destabilise the industrial relations space in the country. This started with the effort to fractionalise the NLC, which failed after almost two years of trying. In their desperation, they have now purported to float a new trade union centre with the name United Labour Congress of Nigeria. In the last couple of months, they have collected forms for the registration of dozens of some trade unions without membership.’’

    It said all the unions being wooed by the splinter faction are  adequately covered by existing unions.

    “One expects that people who operate at our level will know the relevant provisions of the Trade Union Act, but perhaps we are assuming too much. The Trade Union Act CAP T14, LFN, 2004, Section 3(2) provides thus: “But no trade union shall be registered to represent workers or employers in a place where there already exist a trade union,” the letter said.

  • Don’t celebrate criminals — TUC President

    Don’t celebrate criminals — TUC President

    Mr Bobboi Kaigama, President, Trade Nigeria Congress (TUC), has called on Nigerians not to celebrate corrupt individuals who have embezzled public funds meant for the development of the country.

    He made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at interactive session with newsmen on preparation to hold one-day rally on good governance and anti-corruption.

    He said that the rally, to be held on Feb. 9, in Lagos and Abuja simultaneously, would be in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    Kaigama said: “for instance if you go to court in developed countries, you will never see a criminal being escorted to court being celebrated on his way to court or being celebrated at an event.

    “But what we find in Nigeria is a different thing.

    “So it is not just the issue of prosecution or investigation, Nigerians must own the fight against corruption.

    “We must fight it jointly and we will take to the door steps of the criminals.

    “Not until we do that, those in the executive, legislative and judiciary arms of government and the three tiers of government will never see this fight as a major issue. ‘’

    The TUC president said that Nigerians must own up to the fight against corruption without fear or favour.

    He said that the rally was an opportunity to enlighten Nigerians on the consequences of corruption and the best way out of it.

    “Corruption is killing us, what we are experiencing now is a product of bad leadership; we want to install good governance at all levels especially in states and local government areas.

    “The fight against corruption must start somewhere and end up somewhere at the door step of the criminals.

    “The issue of corruption has taken another dimension.

    “How can somebody who served four years or at most eight years get humongous pay at the end of the day when a public servant who served meritoriously for 35 years or attainted 60 years can never get such in his life; where is equity?

    Kaigama said that TUC, NLC and their civil society allies were ready to partner anti corruption agencies to “say enough of the era of celebrating criminals.’’

    “We want the EFCC, ICPC and the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption to be strengthened.

    “We want this fight on corruption to be holistic; we want good governance, so each of these agencies must do their job holistically without interference from any of the arms of government, ‘’he said. (NAN)

  • Unpaid salaries, pensions: NLC, TUC to launch mass action

    Unpaid salaries, pensions: NLC, TUC to launch mass action

    The organised  labour says it has concluded plans to commence a series of mass actions against those states that are owing workers’  salaries,   pensions  and gratuities in the country.

    The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba, stated this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday.

    Wabba said that the mass action would be done in collaboration with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) as part of the initiatives to make the mass action a successful one.

    The NLC president said the action had become necessary to demonstrate the anger of the workers over the insensitive dispositions of the affected states.

    He said that the affected states, apart from receiving several bailout grants from the Federal Government, also got substantial funds from the Paris Club refunds.

    “In spite of the Paris Club refunds to some of the states, some of them are not making efforts to ensure that workers interest is given the priority it deserved.

    “Gratuity in most of the states are also building up, we have liability of gratuity ranging between seven months and some 77 months.

    “The worst-case scenario is Imo, where we have liability of gratuity of 77 months with pensions.

    Wabba said that the Imo government had contemplated paying the pensioners 60 per cent of their 77 months’ pension arrears which the pensioners had rejected.

    According to Wabba, some states receive less but they do not have liability of salaries and pensions while some receive much but have accumulated liabilities.

    He said that the organised labour would also hold a one-day rally on good governance and anti-corruption campaign.

    Wabba said that the rally would be held at the instance of the NLC and the TUC.

    The NLC president said that the rally would be held on Feb. 9, in Lagos and Abuja simultaneously.

    He said that the rally, which was supposed to be held initially on Feb. 7, 2017, was shifted to Feb. 9.

    NAN reports that the rally had become an annual event of the organised labour to canvass for good governance and anti-corruption crusade in the country.

    “We must canvass for good governance and fight against corruption because some state governments are not doing the needful as it concerns workers.

    “The Nigeria’s Labour Movement has been contemplating on how to move against those states owing workers and pensioners.

    “This portrays a lot of danger and challenges basically because, in some of those states, they do not look at the issue of workers’ salaries, among others as a priority.

    “So, the whole essence of the rally for good governance is to see that our political elite get their priority right.

    “It is in this context that the NLC and the TUC are going to undertake a second round of campaign for good governance and the fight against corruption.

    “ We realise from the data we have  that  it is not about how much those states earn, but it is  about how transparent the process is in those states.’’

    He said that the rally was also a quest for the new minimum wage for workers in the country.

    “Basically, whether we like it or not, corruption will continue to fight back, except we the working class and others come together to defeat those forces. Nobody will help us,’’ he said.(NAN)

  • TUC: convicted looters should pay interest on stolen money

    TUC: convicted looters should pay interest on stolen money

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) said yesterday those found to have stolen public funds should be made to pay interest rate on the money.

    Reacting to the judgments on the subsidy fraud case, its President, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama and General Secretary, Comrade Musa-Lawal Ozigi, said recovering the money alone without interest was not good enough.

    The Congress hailed “the judiciary and Nigerians over the recent rulings by Justice Lateefa Okunnu at the Ikeja High Court, that  sentenced the Managing Director of Ontario Oil and Gas Limited, Mrs. Adaoha Ugo-Nnadi to 10 years in prison for defrauding the Federal Government of N754 million in oil subsidy transactions and that of a Federal High Court in Abuja, that ordered the forfeiture of oil Prospecting Licence (OPL 245) to the Federal Government until investigation and trial of suspects are concluded”.

    It said: “These are good signs of our speedy recovery, if we faint not and we urge the anti-graft agencies to investigate other people involved in the subsidy fraud, other financial crimes and bring them to book.

    “It hurts that while Nigerians are groaning and asking for the basic things like food, infrastructure, job and others, some greedy Nigerians under the guise of oil marketers are milking the country dry.

    “The Congress is of the opinion that these culprits start paying interest on whatever amount of money they have stolen henceforth. Returning the actual is not good enough. For instance, when the said money was stolen a dollar was less than N200, but today, a dollar is equivalent to N500.

    “The money will help to fund our national budget, especially now that we cannot predict oil price in the international market. The economy is on its knees today because institutions saddled with the responsibility of fighting corruption were sleeping. This impunity has to stop.”

    TUC said its members were expecting more of this from this administration.

    It said no stone should be left unturned in the fight against corruption, adding that “Nigerians are asking for justice”.

    “Yes, the  blood and families of citizens who have died in car accidents as a result of roads that were left undone and pregnant mothers, who lost their lives due to lack of good medical facilities are crying for justice.

    “These monies could have to some extent helped to build infrastructure, create jobs, and reposition the economy.  We are truly happy about this development and hope to see more of it. It just can’t be business as usual,” TUC said.

  • NLC, TUC picket ministry in Calabar

    NLC, TUC picket ministry in Calabar

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Cross River State yesterday picketed the Ministry of Local Government Affairs and the Office of the Head of Service (HoS).

    This followed the non-payment of eight months‘ salaries of local government workers and primary school teachers.

    NLC Chairman Mr. John Ushie told reporters at the Ministry of Finance in Calabar the picketing became necessary because they had exhausted all avenues for settlement.

    According to him, if picketing fails to yield result, labour will embark on strike.

    Ushie said the state engaged a consultant, who carried out personnel audit and tagged some civil servants as ‘ghost workers.’

    He said the development resulted in the stoppage of their salaries.

    “As I speak, there are council workers and primary school teachers who have not received salaries since last June.

    “We discover a lot of our colleagues are dying, while some are becoming bed-ridden. They can no longer perform roles as parents because they don’t receive salaries.

    “How can you tag someone who is qualified and has been working for close to 20 years a ghost worker when he is present at work everyday?

    “The consultant is the major cause of our problem and he must leave.

    “We are not against audit, but they should bring a firm that can do the job creditably.

    “If nothing is done after this exercise, we shall review our stand and embark on strike because an injury to one is an injury to all,’’ the chairman said.

    Ushie said labour was not against personnel audit, but insisted the job of the consultant must end at screening.

    He said the consultant should not be involved in the payment of civil servants’ salaries.

    TUC Chairman Mr. Clarkson Otu said it was sad for a dedicated worker not to be paid for eight months.

    Efforts to reach the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs and the HoS, Mr. John Ulafo and Mr. Ekpeyong Henshaw, were not successful.

    They neither picked calls nor replied text messages.

  • TUC, PENGASSAN: Nigerian firms enslave workers

    TUC, PENGASSAN: Nigerian firms enslave workers

    •Indicted firm’s chief won’t comment

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigerian (PENGASSAN) have criticised Nigerian companies for allegedly treating workers as slaves and sacking them at will.
    They regretted that indigenous companies treated Nigerians without respect for their rights and Labour laws.
    TUC spoke during the recent picketing of Specialty Drilling Fluid (SDF), an indigenous oil servicing firm in the Niger Delta.
    PENGASSAN, which led the action, accused SDF of violating the terms of engagement of their workers.
    Addressing reporters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, TUC State Chairman Austin Jonah said while many Nigerians were yearning for indigenous companies to take over most of the sectors, they were worried that most Nigerian companies were violating their workers’ rights.
    Jonah said: “We support PENGASSAN in its action against SDF. TUC will make sure that it supports any action PENGASSAN takes to the fullest. If it means shutting down, we will. We will call those involved to see how these workers should be given their money.
    “We are talking of local content. Today, Nigerians have companies in the Oil and Gas sector. But they are punishing fellow Nigerians. They do not pay workers’ salaries and other entitlements as at when due.
    “They engage them as casual workers for 10 years and sack them at will. But the extant law only allows that a worker be in casual status for three months. If you still need the services of the person, you engage them permanently. Is that how we are going to enjoy the local content? If this is the way, then, they have started disappointing Nigerians.”
    The Chairman of Port Harcourt Zone of PENGASSAN, Azubuike Azubuike, said Nigerian workers at SDF were not respected.
    The union leader said attempts to ensure that SDF paid the salary arrears it owed the workers were unsuccessful.
    He urged Nigerians to intervene in the matter to avoid a national industrial action.
    Azubuike said: “It has become imperative that the public should know what the workers are passing through, especially in places our brothers are holding sway as owners of organisations. SDF, in the last 12 years, has been punishing its workers, who work without getting any benefit.
    “The collective bargain agreement is not being fulfilled, despite the fact that there had been meetings to reach an agreement. The Managing Director, Mr. Tony Eze, has refused to pay the workers their entitlements. The workers tried to picket the company, but the MD hired thugs and chased them away. Since 2008, we have signed several communiqués to ensure a good relationship between the company and its workers.
    “If things are not done properly, we will move the picketing to another stage. They cannot enslave their workers. People have worked for 10 years without employment letter. Somebody can be sacked any day.”
    Contacted, Eze said he did not have any case with PENGASSEN.
    He declined further comments on the matter.

  • TUC: Fed Govt using security agencies against opposition

    TUC: Fed Govt using security agencies against opposition

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has accused the government of using security against opposition politicians.

    It also criticised the government for failing to honour its agreement with labour unions in 2016.

    TUC President Bobboi Kaigama said the labour movement decided not to take drastic action against government last year because it expected it to take the opportunity to settle down and hit the ground running.

    Kaigama, who said anti-labour practices were the order of the day in 2016, said labour would  not close its eyes to job losses, non-payment of salaries and allowance among others this year.

    “On the labour front, we commend the movement for showing unusual understanding in managing industrial issues in the last one year. When you critically evaluate our activities, you would agree with us that we had more industrial disputes in 2015 than last year.

    “That is not to say there were no issues. But our silence was rather deliberate and we had expected the new government to take the opportunity to settle down and hit the ground running. The truth is our economic and infrastructural challenges are so serious that they require every concentration to handle. This administration has really enjoyed the co-operation of Nigerians.

    “In the health and education sector, government has failed to honour agreements it voluntarily entered into with the unions. The public servants are still being owed and even when money was disbursed by the federal government, the state governors diverted it.

    “Technocrats are now undermined while wives of some governors now manage four, five and six ministries. This is unconstitutional. Additionally, there was unprecedented termination of appointment of workers without engaging the unions. Anti-labour practices were the order of the day. Yet, we did not draw out our sword because we did not want to be seen as enemies of the new government.

    “For our patriotism, we have been labeled as weak and cowards but there is no problem about that. Now, what we expect from government at all levels is to put its acts together to avoid industrial crisis this year.

    “Truth is, we are not going to close our eyes to job losses, non-payment of salaries and allowance, etc. Our position is any governor who cannot pay salaries as at when due should not earn his, let alone pay his aides. We are going to work tirelessly in conjunction with our state councils to actualise that.

    “A case in point is the killings in Southern Kaduna recently. The state security apparatus are daily used to intimidate the opposition.

    “Suffice to say here that the insurgencies we have today – be it Niger Delta militancy, Boko Haram, Biafra, and election violence as we have in Rivers are all the consequences of the misrule of the leadership.

    “We commend the government for the effort so far made at curbing these crises but it needs to do more by way of job creation and infrastructural development. It pays to avoid crisis than to try to subdue it.

    “There is no doubt the once known giant of Africa’s economy is now gasping for breath in all ramifications: there is gross inconsistency in lending rates. The cost of doing business has become very unreasonable with the hugely devaluation of the naira.

    “The price of crude oil is almost on its knee when you compare to what it used to be. It is bad enough that we are a consuming nation but worse when government is doing nothing to address the situation.

    “It hurts and breaks the heart that as the 6th oil producing country in the world, the unemployment figures remain incongruously high; crime rates has astronomically increased, unbridled poverty, alarming inflation rate of 18.3, paucity of power and its attendant crazy tariffs, among others have become our plight.

    “On diversification of the economy, successive governments have paid lips service to alternative sources of revenue to the country. No nation survives on the vagaries of a mono-cultural economy. Individuals believe that multiple streams of income is the way to go but our leaders don’t think such for the country. Too bad.

    “In light of the prevailing realities and how it has affected workers take home, we call for an upward review of wages of workers. The devaluation of the naira and other unfriendly economic measures are taking tolls on the workers and Nigerians generally.

    “The usual excuse of no money because of the activities of the Niger Delta militants and fall in the price of oil does not subsist here. Our suggestion is; see to the demands of the Niger Delta militants, pass the petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law, diversify the economy, reduce cost of running government, jail looters of our treasury and there would be money to do much more than Nigerians are yearning for. We hope governments at all levels listen to the voice of reason.”

     

  • Xmas: Exhibit love and compassion TUC

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has asked Nigerian leaders to exhibit the love and compassion shared by Jesus Christ and give the Nigerian people the right to have a decent living.

    The union said it is uncharitable for leaders to deny the people for governors to collect billions of naira from the federations account and bailout funds from the federal government and refuse to pay the salaries of workers, thereby denying them their right to decent living.

    In a Christmas message signed by the President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, and Secretary General, Comrade (Barr.) Musa-Lawal Ozigi mni, the duo said the leaders should bear in mind that it is inhuman to deny people and workers their right to decent existence.

    While felicitating with Nigerians on this occasion of the anniversary of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Congress appreciates the significance of this season because of the sacrifice involved; and the hope and favour his birth has brought  to mankind, as the Holy Book teaches us.

    Kaigame, however, appealed to workers and Nigerians to shun violence and the spell of discouragement cast by state governors who, having shared over N500 billion from federation account, have not found it fit to pay salaries.

    He also enjoined the leadership to espouse the love and compassion that Christ lived and died for in order to preserve the world and life on earth.”Share the little you have as it is our custom in Africa before greed and avarice became the order of the day.  In spite of this recession, the Congress wishes all Nigerians Merry Christmas,” he concluded.

  • TUC seeks NHIS’ removal from TSA

    TUC seeks NHIS’ removal from TSA

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) funds be removed from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

    Speaking with reporters in Lagos, TUC President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, said if the funds were not paid back into NHIS coffers, the scheme might collapse.

    “The withdrawal of humongous sums of money in the National Health Insurance Scheme fund and its subsequent lodgement into the Treasury Single Account (TSA) has gravely affected the operations and financial capability of the scheme in terms of growing the pooled fund.

    “This trend, if not reversed urgently, will adversely affect future activities and operations of the scheme,” he emphasised.

    The TUC chief said the NHIS was not a revenue generating agency since its funds come from the pool of workers, contributions,” he said.

    He added that the NHIS was established by the National Assembly Act CAP.42 LFN 2004 to provide health services to workers at affordable cost while treating tertiary related diseases, emergency health situations, and to eliminate huge out-of-pocket expenses.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to categorically state that NHIS by the Act that established it has never been a revenue generating agency for the government.

    “The contributions to the NHIS coffers are funds pooled majorly from monthly salaries of dedicated workers, money from international donors and voluntary contributions from private individuals,” Kaigama said.

    Kaigama emphasised that the NHIS was set up to cater for the healthcare of its contributing enrollees whose funds were the life of the scheme and by extension to provide universal healthcare coverage for all Nigerians.

    “If the Federal Government insists that its wrongly held position on the matter will not change, traden unions may be left with no other option than to seek redress in the law court in order to defend the overall interest of the workers who are the major contributors to the Scheme,” the Union emphasised.

  • TUC urges govt to save economy

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has called on Federal Government to do its best to bail  the economy from recession, noting  that with a healthy economy, Nigerian youths would have better choices.

    This was said by the Lagos State Chairman of TUC, Azeez Ogunremi during industrial relations lecture tagged: “Transformational Leadership and Organising The Unorganised’ put together by the Congress.

    He stated that the high rate of unemployment could be tackled with the  improvement in the economy.

    According to him, ‘’Unemployment in Nigeria is a big issue. Those who are employed do not know what will happen tomorrow. There is no way we can solve unemployment without addressing the economy of the country. If the economy is okay, there will be employment opportunities.  The government should make it a priority to improve the economy. Labour is to work for the survival of the organisation.

    “For us we want to educate our labour leaders to know what to do at the right time and doing the right thing. Some companies have folded up today. The purpose of this workshop is to enlighten our labour leaders on how to organise the unorganised.”

    The State Controller, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr. Olawale Shado said, “the issue of union recognition is statutory. In psychology, we have two types of employers. We have some with unity frame of reference and others with paternity frame of reference. For the paternity frame of reference, they are employers who believe that they are fathers to the workers. And you know in our culture, the child is not in the position to challenge the father. They don’t want to share decision with their workers.

    “For the one with unity frame of reference,  this type of employer is ready to embrace union and ready to share decisions with the employees. On the practical aspect, some employers feel that when there is a union in place, radicalism and confrontation will come into place, and their job will be threatened. Like I mentioned earlier, an employer has no choice when it comes to the issue of union recognition because it is constitutional and statutory. As  far as the law as concerned, the law is very clear on this.”

    The National President, Association of Senior Staff of Banks and Insurance and Financial Institutions, Mrs. Oyinkan Olasanoye, said the increasing rate of casualisation in companies had made it necessary to train labour leaders on how to negotiate conditions of service.

    She said: “We realised that over the years that there are so more casual workers than the full time workers.  The difference between these workers is the irregularity in their conditions of service. We felt that the only way we can assist them to have a regular condition of service and dignity of labour is when we try as much as possible to organise them. The lecture is  a way of telling our members why we need to organise the unorganised”

    The Managing Consultant, Alz Trust Limited, Mr. Austin Okoro, addressed the theme, “Transformational leadership and organising the unorganised.