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Tag: TUC

  • Why we demanded new minimum wage in spite of cash crunch —NLC, TUC

    Why we demanded new minimum wage in spite of cash crunch —NLC, TUC

    Organised labour led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) said yesterday that the failure of some states in the country to pay salaries of workers will not stop them from demanding a review of the national minimum wage.

    Labour said apart from the fact that the Minimum Wage Act was due for review, the fall in the value of the naira, the increase in electricity tariff, biting economic situation in the country and the rise in prices of goods and services necessitated the demand for a review of the minimum wage from N18,000 to N56,000.

    Deputy President of the Congress and Chairman of the 2016 May Day Committee, Comrade Peters Adeyemi, said at a pre-May Day press conference that states that have refused to pay the N18,000 minimum wage were acting against the laws of the land, pointing out that the NLC and the TUC would not fold their arms and watch those states act against the law.

    Adeyemi said the N18,000 minimum wage is no longer realistic as its value has reduced far below the expectations of Nigerian workers because of the collapse of the naira.

    He said: “The naira has collapsed beyond the expectations of every Nigerian. I recall that when we negotiated the N18,000 minimum wage, the exchange rate was about N145 to the dollar. As at this morning, it is about N321 and it is said to be stable.

    “So, if you do arithmetical calculation, you will realise that it is more than 100 per cent fall. What that means in effect is that the N18,000 itself has gone down beyond 100 per cent from the time it was negotiated. What it means is that what N18,000 can buy has reduced significantly.

    “So, you can’t say in good conscience that we must continue to insist that N18,000 should be what is still payable.

    “If you look at the inflationary trend and the crisis associated with the value of the currency and the unlawful imposition of increase in electricity tariff and every other thing, you find that there has been tremendous increase in the prices of services and commodities while the salary of the worker has remained stagnant.

    “The fact that some states in the country have decided not to obey the laws of the land is not a certificate for us to say we will not ask for an increase in minimum wage.

    “In fact, those states that have not paid the minimum wage are acting unlawfully and clearly, there is no way NLC and TUC will spare them.

    “Inflation has increased, the naira has lost its value and the current minimum wage had been completely eroded, therefore the need and urgency for a call for the review of the current national minimum wage.”

     Asked where the states would get the money to pay the N56,000 demanded by labour, Adeyemi said: “The resources will always be there. Even as we talk now, you find that while some states are not paying salaries, others are paying. It all depends on what you consider you priority.

    “You can’t say that those states that are paying salaries now have excess money. It is about prudent management of resources.

    “What we are saying is that where there is a will, there will always be a way. The resources will always be there for salaries and other essential things.

  • TUC moves to picket debtor clubs

    TUC moves to picket debtor clubs

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) yesterday said some football clubs in the country that has refused to pay the salaries of their players and officials after the expiration if its 25th APRIL 2016 deadline to them to do so.

    A statement signed by TUC President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, and Acting Secretary General, Comrade (Barr.) Simeso Amachree, the Congress said it has already commenced mobilisation towards picketing the clubs who are playing in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), and Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL).

    The TUC said the management and owners of the clubs failed to comply with the decisions of the Players Status and Arbitration Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation reached on 18th, 19th and 20th December, 2009, 10th, 11th and 12th May, 2010 and 18th September, 2015.

    The Congress referred to a directive by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to the NPFL, NNL, and NWFL communicated via a letter dated 14th of January, 2016 instructing them not to register any indebted club for the 2015/2016 league season until the indebtedness of each affected club to players and coaches are liquidated.

    While expressing displeasure at the clubs’ failure to comply with the decision of the Players’ Status and Arbitration Committee in spite of the directive, the Congress said “the registration of clubs to feature in the 2015/2016 league season.

  • Why we are asking for new minimum wage – Labour

    Organised labour led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) said on Friday that the failure of some states in the country to pay workers’ salaries will not stop them from demanding a review of the national minimum wage.

    Labour said apart from the fact that the minimum wage act was due for review, the fall in the value of the naira, the increase in electricity tariff, biting economic situation in the country and the increase in goods and services necessitated the demand for a review of the minimum wage from N18, 000 to N56, 000.

    The Deputy President of Congress and Chairman of the 2016 May Day committee, Comrade Peters Adeyemi, said at a pre-May Day press conference that states that had refused to pay the N18, 000 were acting against the laws of the land, pointing out that the NLC and the TUC will not fold their hands and watch those states act against the law.

    Adeyemi said the N18,000 minimum wage is no longer realistic as its value has reduced far below the expectations of Nigerian workers due to collapse of naira.

    He said “The naira has collapsed beyond the expectations of every Nigerian. I recall that when we negotiated the N18,000 minimum wage, the exchange rate then was about N145 to the dollar. As at this morning, it is about N321.00 and it is said to be stable.

    “So, if you do arithmetical calculation, you will realize that it is more than 100 percent fall. What that means in effect is that the N18,000 itself has gone down beyond 100 percent from the time it was negotiated. What mean is that what N18,000 can buy has reduced significantly.”

     

  • NLC, TUC propose N56,000 as new minimum wage

    NLC, TUC propose N56,000 as new minimum wage

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have jointly proposed N56,000 as the new minimum wage to the Federal Government as against the present N18,000.

    The NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, said this at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Wabba said both the NLC and the TUC made the formal demand on the proposed national minimum wage to the Federal Government on Tuesday.

    “I can say now authoritatively that as of yesterday (Tuesday) we made a formal proposal to the Federal Government of N56,000 to be the new minimum wage.

    “The demand has been submitted officially to government and we hope that the tripartite system to look at the review will actually be set up to look at it.

    “Our argument is that, yes, it is true that the economy is not doing well, but the law stated that wages for workers must be review after every five years.

    “So, the issue must be looked into by the Federal Government and workers should not be seen as sleeping on their rights,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the NLC president as saying at the forum.

    Wabba recalled that the last review of the national minimum wage was done in 2011, saying the setting up of a tripartite committee to review the newly proposed national minimum wage was long overdue.

    He said it was imperative that government should set up the tripartite committee for the review of the new minimum wage.

     

  • Senators have lost touch with reality – TUC

    Senators have lost touch with reality – TUC

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Tuesday said that the purchase of 108 Toyota Land Cruiser jeeps by Senators was a clear sign that they do not mean well for the country and have lost touch with the plight of the people.

    TUC in a statement signed by its President, Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Ag. Secretary General, Simeso Amachree, described as insensitive the decision of the senators to acquire the Land Cruiser jeeps after collecting car loans less than one year ago.

    The Congress said the act was that of criminality, especially after collecting loans for the same purpose and expressed concern that the senators are not disturbed by President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts to revamp the economy.

    The statement said: “Where did such idea emanate from at a time the country is bleeding from all sides and seriously gasping for breath? This is obviously a pointer to the fact that our Senators mean no well for the country. They have lost touch with the plight of the people that voted for them.

    “Our politicians and their tradition of reaping where they did not sow. What would our Senators say they have achieved in the last one year? It is morally wrong and shameful for the Senate of the Federal Republic to attach so much importance to infinitesimal things like cars and houses at a time their counterparts elsewhere are making good laws and transforming lives.

    “We do not know of any lawmaker both in the Red and Green Chamber that had not got cars before they came to the National Assembly. Some have even been in the senate now for 12 years after serving as governors and lawmakers in their respective states.

    “Where lies the conscience of our Senators? How come they are not disturbed by the efforts of our president to revamp the economy? We are not going to let all these forces frustrate the effort of the Federal Government again, not any more.

    “We want the Senate to immediately furnish Nigerians and the world how they got money for the purchase of these cars without appropriation. We view as demeaning and laughable the explanation by Senate spokesperson, Aliyu Sabi.”

  • TUC to Buhari: relinquish minister of petroleum position

    TUC to Buhari: relinquish minister of petroleum position

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) Tuesday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to relinquish the position of Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources because the office is too critical to the economy to be combined with the office of the President and Commander-In -Chief.

    According to the congress, the perfect candidate for the job should be someone who has the necessary knowledge, experience and competence that would directly supervise the affairs of the ministry and report to the president.

    TUC however noted that although the position of the Minister of State for Petroleum and Mineral Resources should remain as a junior minister in the ministry, a different Group Managing Director (GMD) of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) should also be appointed to directly supervise the affairs of the NNPC.

    Its President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, made this call at the “Save Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Round Table Conference in Abuja.

    He said: “There is cogent need for appointment of a substantive Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. The ideal candidate for this should be someone who has the necessary knowledge, experience and competence, and who would directly oversee the affairs of the ministry and report regularly to the President.

    “That position is too critically important to the economy to be subsumed as one of the many offices or portfolios of the President and Commander-in-Chief. Of course the position of Minister of State for Petroleum and Mineral Resources should continue to exist as a junior minister in the ministry. A separate Group Managing Director (GMD) of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) should also be appointed to directly supervise the affairs of the NNPC.”

    The TUC boss added that all the appointees must be persons of bold, incorruptible and sound principles.

    Kaigama pointed out that the cabals in the sector emerged due to corruption in the corporation.
    He stressed that “it is high time we halt the ugly trend whereby members of the cabal are paid billions of naira for ‘fuel imports’ that never reach our shores.”

    In his address, the President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said that Nigeria is the worst case scenario in the management of oil and gas wealth in the world.

    He told a story of his colleague in Ghana that revealed that his country is guarding against the Nigerian experience in her fledging oil sector.

    The labour leader noted that the problem in the oil and gas industry is not lack of law but adherence to the laws.

    He advised Nigerians to oppose anyone that flout the law, adding that he refused to pay N200 per liter for the  petrol he bought  in a station in Kaduna State two weeks ago because the pump price is N86 per litre.

    Chairman of the occasion, Ambassador Paddy Njoku in his address said that for government to achieve the aims of the Nigerian Content Monitoring Board Act , it is vital to continually collaborate with industry stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of the act.

    He sought the passage of the pending Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law in order to strengthen the progress that the board has made.

    In his presentation, Dr. Louis Brown Ogbeifun, submitted that “it is better to have a not too perfect PIB that could be reviewed in the next few years than allow the status quo to remain as it has been these last 16 years.

    “Stakeholders should close ranks as the death of the oil and gas industry shall have ripple effects on the state of the Nigerian economy as we still run a monolithic economic system.”

     

  • TUC to Fed Govt: initiate policies for real sector’s growth

    TUC to Fed Govt: initiate policies for real sector’s growth

    President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Bobboi Kaigama has advised the Federal Government to initiate and implement clear-cut policies that will promote conducive environment for the private sector to thrive.

    He said the creation of conducive environment for manufacturers would involve commitment to sustainable development, restructuring of the financial system in line with people’s needs, and an urgent response to the challenge of human-induced change.

    He said: “The government provision of enabling environment for the industrial sector is proving that the power of collaboration between government and the private sector is enormous. We are seeing markets beginning to transform from within, based on actions taken by business to respect and support human rights, provide decent work, account for environmental impacts and end bribery and corruption.

    “The challenge of national development is for the government to manage the economy in such a way as to promote job-led growth rather than the present situation of jobless growth.”

    Kaigama said the government should decentralise the economy for development to take place rather than concentrating on the petroleum sector, which continues to be an enclave.

    “I strongly believe that to promote development and growth, there is need for government to go into partnerships with the private sector on selective basis until such a time that the domestic private sector becomes fully developed,” he added.

    On the recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) projection that cut Nigeria’s growth forecast amid oil slump, he said: “We are not surprised that when in February this year, after IMF officials visited Nigeria, after the Fund had forecast 3.2 per cent growth for Nigeria in 2016, the shift in the new position would take place so soon.

    “The Fund said the key risk to the outlook is risky because the government of Nigeria has not danced to its tune of naira devaluation, and which the report said includes;  lower oil prices, shortfalls in non-oil revenues, a further deterioration in finances of states and local governments, deepening disruptions in private sector activity due to constraints on access to foreign exchange, and resurgence in security concerns, and that Nigeria’s general government deficit would grow further after doubling to 3.7 per cent of GDP in 2015″.

    Kaigama said labour is worried that as the discussions between Nigeria and the World Bank are continuing on a possible loan, or credit facility that is tied to policy reforms in the West African oil exporter, the government might be forced to take some of the Fund policy advice that may be detrimental to the economy in both short and long run.

    He said the best option for Federal Government is not to swallow IMF’s bait, but to look inward by using the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to develop the economy.

  • TUC, TATA clash over union chief

    Automobile giant TATA Africa Services Nigeria has drawn the ire of Labour over the fate of Comrade Joseph Ogunyemi, Transport Equipment and Allied Senior Staff Association (AUTOBATE) deputy president.

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC), in a statement by its President, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama,  described as mischievous  TATA’s  disclaimer that Ogunyemi is no longer in the firm’s services even though he has not been served with a letter of termination.

    “Besides, the cause of his victimisation is still being mediated, and the Congress is still expecting a response to its petition from TATA regional office in South Africa,’’ TUC said.

    According to the TUC,  Ogunyemi was a former Chairman of AUTOBATE, TATA Branch and the Deputy President of AUTOBATE.

    Kaigama said Ogunyemi is now being persecuted by TATA under the guise of redundancy. He said  meetings were held at TATA and the Federal Ministry of Labour to resolve  the issues  yet the company in Nigeria is bent on ensuring Ogunyemi loses his job.

    According to the Congress, labour is interested in Ogunyemi’s matter because he has suffered so much over the years just because of his participation in trade union activities as chairman of the Senior Staff union of TATA then. He was also denied promotion, bombarded with queries, transferred to Port Harcourt and denied several benefits.

    “The union and management of TATA have had a long-running battle, prompting the Federal Ministry of Labour to intervene. We recall that at one of our meetings in June 2015, TATA management made a commitment never to witch-hunt union officers. We are, however, surprised that less than one year after, the HR manager has resumed another onslaught.

    ”The Congress wishes to let TATA management know that the same way TATA Nigeria was licensed to operate in Nigeria is equally the same way trade unions are duly backed up by Trade Union Act of 1973, CAP 437, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria to operate as a watchdog in workplaces. Our members cannot just be victimised on the account of their lawful union activities,” the statement said.

    In a related event, the TUC, Rivers State chapter, has endorsed the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH)  strike, asking the management to accede to the workers’ demands.

    Speaking after the State Executive Council meeting, the President,  Comrade Hyginus Chika Onuegbu, urged the management   to desist from intimidating JOHESU with ‘no work no pay’ and seek an amicable resolution of the dispute.

    “The State Council hereby warns that if the issues are not resolved amicably it will not hesitate to direct all its affiliates in Rivers State to withdraw their services,” he said.

  • Stop slave labour, TUC tells NECA

    Stop slave labour, TUC tells NECA

    labour has accused the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) of being ‘’anti-worker”.

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) alleged that NECA is running a primitive policy that encourages slave labour.

    TUC President, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama  said in Abuja that NECA has the worst record of enslaving workers in the private sector.

    NECA, TUC alleged, does not  provide a conducive working environment,encourags casualisation and pays peanuts. These, he Kaigama said, had led to picketing of many NECA members by trade unions.

    Kaigama was reacting to a statement by NECA Director-General, Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo,  that the Ministry of Labour and Employment is ineffective because it allows trade unions to collect check-off dues and go on strike.

    The TUC chief stressed the need for NECA’s top hierarchy to familiarise itself with the historical development of trade union movement in Nigeria and the evolution of automatic check-off dues.

    He recalled that the 1978 re-structuring of the trade unions was to make them formidable and financially viable in line with the recommendation of Michael Abiodun Committee.

    “Prior to the restructuring, the trade unions in Nigeria depended largely on donations from foreign labour centres and political parties in the country and these posed grave national security challenges.

    “It was to check this threat and ensure the trade unions are financially independent that the then military regime of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo accepted the recommendation of Michael Abiodun Panel that the trade unions should be granted automatic check-off dues,” he said.

    According to Kaigama, since the enactment of Decree 22 of 1978 that gave effect to the present trade unions, including NECA, there had been a great deal of stability in trade union movement with its positive impact on the economy.

    “At any rate, if Oshinowo and his fellow travellers in NECA have engaged in international labour best practices by paying living wage, providing conducive working environment, stop casualisation of workers, among others, the trade unions in the private sector will not be embarking on strikes.

    “Besides, the NECA chieftain should realise that Nigeria is governed by laws and regulations, therefore, his campaign along the line of stoppage of automatic check-off dues will be resisted by the trade unions,” he stressed.

    Kaigama said the spate of strike in the country would have been worse but for the professional manner the labour ministry has been handling issues of labour relations in the country.

    ”Moreover, the labour centre pointed out that Section 5(3) of the Labour Act stipulates clearly that: ‘upon the registration and recognition of any of the trade unions specified in part A of Schedule 3 of the Trade Unions Act, the employer shall make deduction from the wages of all workers eligible to be members of the union for the purpose of paying contributions to the trade union so recognised,” he emphasised

    Kaigama said the Nigerian labour laws recognise the trade unions, the NECA and the government both as an employer and a regulator as equal partners in the industrial relations arena as enunciated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

    The TUC leader, therefore, advised  NECA and its chief to refrain from campaigning against automatic check-off dues for trade unions and concentrate on curbing the uncivilised practices of its members.

  • Fuel crisis: Kachikwu and TUC’s misplaced anger

    Fuel crisis: Kachikwu and TUC’s misplaced anger

    For declaring he was not a magician capable of conjuring the availability of fuel, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has asked the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Emmanuel Kachikwu, to resign. Dr. Kachikwu had suggested that he saw no possibility of fuel queues ending until perhaps the end of May because, according to him, what had sustained the partial availability of fuel till now was pure magic. The minister obviously had plenty of magic on his agitated mind.

    President Muhammadu Buhari and Dr. Kachikwu are reported to be working hard to proffer a solution to the scarcity. To do this, said the Minister of State, the NNPC would have to end its 100 percent dominance of the fuel importation business. The country will hope that the minister’s promise to ensure availability of fuel by June will be realised. On this promise, there is no controversy, even if they still end up unable to meet the fuel needs of Nigerians.

    What is really controversial is the call by the TUC on Dr. Kachikwu to resign should he lack the ingenuity to end the problem. But why target the Minister of State when the Minister of Petroleum Resources has not been pressured to relinquish his office? President Buhari is the minister; he should draw the ire of TUC and other aggrieved individuals in case of problems with the oil industry, downstream and upstream. And since the president has decided to keep the petroleum portfolio to himself rather than assign it to someone else, he should accept responsibility for the crisis bedevilling the sector. The legislature has shown interest in finding out what is wrong with fuel supplies; they should begin by inviting the Petroleum minister, not his proxy or deputy.