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Tag: TUC

  • TUC to Fed Govt: don’t intimidate voters

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has urged the Federal Government to avoid intimidating Nigerians in the general elections.

    Its President-General, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, gave the advice in a communique at the end of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos, which deliberated on the state of the nation and the challenges confronting the labour movement.

    The NEC called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be impartial, and have the interest of Nigerians at heart.

    It tasked on the police, the military and other security agents to be diligent.

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    The congress reiterated the rate of insecurity, urging the Federal Government to intensify efforts to wipe out killings, kidnapping and insurgency.

    NEC commended the government for the fight against corruption but urged it to respect the rule of law.

    Meanwhile, the NEC has commended the House of Representatives for approving N30,000 as minimum wage. It urged the Senate to do so without delay.

    In a related development, NEC frowns at the proposed increase of international passport and drivers licence by the Federal Government. It asked the Federal Government to maintain the status quo and formulate policies that will be more beneficial to the masses.

  • Polls: Avoid all forms of intimidation, TUC urges FG

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria ( TUC ) has asked the federal government to avoid all forms of intimidations during the 2019 general elections and be transparent in the conduct of the Elections.

    Rising from its National Executive Council meeting, the Congress asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be as impartial as possible during the election, having the interest of all Nigerians at heart.

    In a communique signed by the President, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama and Secretary General, Comrade Musa Lawal M. Ozigi, TUC also calls on the police, the military and other security agents to be professional in discharging their duties since no position is worth the blood of innocent civilians.

    They commended the House of Representatives for approving N30, 000.00 as minimum wage in the country and call on the Upper Chamber, the Senate to do the same without any further delay.

    The Congress said that the law establishing National Law Advisory Council (NLAC) should be reviewed to include major Stakeholders, like TUC and warned that TUC will no longer tolerate the violation of the trade union rights of its members to representation, collective bargaining and be consulted on labour matters in the country.

    On the state of Insecurity in the Country, the Congress call on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to make sure that killing; kidnapping and insurgency in the country are totally wiped out and save the country from total collapse.

    It also frowns at the proposed increase of international passport and driver’s license by the Federal Government. It therefore calls on the Federal Government to maintain the status quo and formulate policies that will be more beneficial to the masses.

    On the Anti-Corruption crusade, the Congress commended the Federal Government for the fight against corruption in the Country and call on the Federal Government to respect the rule of law when doing so.

  • Minimum wage: TUC shifts battle to National Assembly

    As Nigerians continue to react to the new national minimum wage of N27,000 approved by the National Council of State on Tuesday, the organised Labour yesterday said the next phase of the struggle has shifted to the National Assembly. It hopes to lobby the lawmakers to approve N30,000 for workers nationwide.

    In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday, they said the disparity in the minimum wage for federal and state workers was uncalled for.

    A civil servant, Kenneth Nwachi, noted that the payment of N30, 000 by Federal Government and N27, 000 by state governments was no longer national minimum wage.

    Nwachi said that there was no uniformity if the federal government pays N30, 000 and the states N27, 000.

    Mr Joseph Osita, a public servant, said that the approval of N27 ,000 by the council as against the N30,000 recommended by the Tripartite Committee was unacceptable.

    According to him, countries like Chad is paying N50,000 and Libya is paying over N100,000 in spite their crisis.

    “If countries like Chad, Libya and others can have a substantial amount that can put food on the tables of their citizens, why is the Nigerian government finding it difficult?

    “Again government should ensure that they check the prices of goods so that workers can feel the impact of the increments,”Osita said.

    Mrs Folake Afuwape, a parent, said the N30, 000 minimum wage organised labour is asking for is not too much, considering the hike in prices of goods.

    Afuwape said that the government should  do the needful and put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.

    However, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commended the Federal Government for approving new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

    Mr Adeyemi Azeez, the association’s Public Relations Officer, described government’s action as total respect for the yearnings and demands of Nigerians.

    “This is a total respect for the yearnings and demands of Nigerians, as this will no doubt go a long way in making ends meet for Nigerian workers and students.

    “NANS make bold to say that the new minimum wage will no doubt boost the economy of our dear country and also reduce the unbearable burden on our parents,” he said.

     

    Labour shifts minimum wage struggle to National Assembly

     

    Mr Bobboi Kaigama, President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), made the announcement in an interview with the labour correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    He was reacting to the approval made by the National Council of State, which on Jan. 22, approved N30, 000 as minimum wage for federal workers and 27,000 for states.

    Government has been locked in negotiations with organised labour since 2016 over a long overdue minimum wage for public sector workers.

    “If President Muhammadu Buhari takes the N27, 000 agreed by the National Council of State to the lawmakers, organised labour will provide necessary documents and agreements reached by the tripartite committee to lobby for N30, 000,’’ Kaigama said.

    Labour had swiftly rejected the N27, 000 minimum wage, arguing that the council, made up of former heads of state and key government functionaries lacked jurisdiction on the issue.

    Public sector workers in Nigeria currently earn some of the lowest wages in the world.

    But public office holders, including members of the country’s bicameral legislature earn some of the fattest pay checks in the world, according to analysts.

    A tripartite committee set up by the government on minimum wage sat for one year and recommended N30, 000 but the sum was rejected by many state governors, who said that the sum was too much.

    Kaigama told NAN that the decision of the council of state would not be allowed to stand because it would set a wrong precedent for the future.

    “After statutory bodies have done their jobs, council of state will now sit to review it.  N30, 000 minimum wage is a product of negotiation, not legislation, not advice and not a decree,’’ he stated.

    Similarly, the President of the United Labour Congress, Mr Joe Ajaero, described the decision by the council of state on the issue as illegal.

    “If the Federal Government approved the payment of N27,000 to workers, it will be a wage award and not a national minimum wage because it negates the agreement reached by the National Tripartite Committee.’’

    He said that this would be the first time the council of state would be playing such a role as recommending a discriminatory minimum wage for the country.

    Also speaking, the Head of the International Relations Unit of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr Uche Ekwe, condemned the council’s decision on the matter.

    According to Ekwe, it will be needless for any further meeting either by the council of state or technical committee after the tripartite committee has concluded and reached an agreement.

    He said that workers in states, local councils and especially those in the private sector deserved to be paid N30, 000 as minimum wage.

    Workers in Nigeria currently receive N18, 000 as minimum wage.

    The figure came into effect in 2011 when former President Goodluck Jonathan signed it into law, raising the wage from the previous N7, 500.

     

    Don’t inflate prices, Kwara civil servants tell traders

     

    Kwara civil servants yesterday advised traders in the state against inflating the prices of goods, in order to make the newly-announced minimum wage of between N27,000 and N30,000 meaningful.

    The workers gave the advice in separate interviews with NAN in Ilorin.

    According to them, traders and artisans in the country always increase prices of goods and services whenever the government announces a new minimum wage.

    Mrs Aisha Bello, who works with the state government, urged the traders not to hike the prices of their goods when the manufacturers did not increase theirs.

    “It is common to start inconveniencing ourselves at the slightest opportunity; so, we are begging the traders to be merciful on the workers.

    “If the goods are not expensive from the manufacturers, they should please leave us for God’s sake and not increase the costs,’’ Bello said.

    Mr Toyin Adewole of the Federal Ministry of Information in the state, said it was time to reduce the workers’ sufferings.

    “This is our time to enjoy the benefits of the new wage. We have suffered a great deal when the prices of goods rocketed and the salary was not increased.

    “So, we are begging the traders to have the fear of God in them and let all of us enjoy this together,’’ Adewole said.

    Another state government worker, Mr Taiye Ibraheem, said it was a long walk to freedom.

    “The traders should not turn it into negative for us. Though we deserve better than what the organised labour agreed on, we appreciate the increase. The traders should not create another problem for us,’’ Ibraheem said.

    On his part, Mr Dotun Philips said that government should check the traders’ excesses by regulating the prices of goods and ensuring strict compliance.

    Mr Ayodeji Babatunde, a private sector employee, said: “I really don’t know what to say at this stage because the issue of a new national minimum wage is dragging on for too long.

    “But the question that keeps coming to my mind is that is the federal government able to pay and how sustainable is N30, 000 for states?

    “For me, I think it is reasonable for states to pay N27, 000 because it is one thing to agree to pay and another, to be able to pay.

    “You may say it is because I work in the private sector, but let’s just face reality, I think the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) should allow this to go through,’’ he said.

    Mr Femi Olaotan, a civil servant, expressed displeasure in the way the federal and state governments are treating their workers.

    “I’m not particularly happy about the whole minimum wage issue. N30, 000 is not too much, the wage review is long overdue and to think that we are going into yet another review period is raising more concerns.

    “The government should have mercy on us, as there are no other allowances and benefits coming with the new minimum wage; this is all we have to look forward to at the end of every month.

    “Gone were those days when housing was made available to civil servants, we are not talking about any car and furniture loans that we used to have access to.

    “When are we ever going to be proud Nigerian workers? Let there be a uniform minimum wage, if there won’t be uniformity, let the federal government pay its staff above N30, 000 which should be the least,’’ he said.

    Another respondent, Mrs Muibat Alao, told NAN that half a loaf was better than none.

    “One thing I know our governments for is that they can promise and fail, so it is better to allow them to pay what is convenient for them to sustain.

    “The N18, 000 before now, some states still owe, and some were paying half salaries, so what are we talking about?

    “Let the NLC give in this time, and wait for another review year to push their luck again,’’ she said.

    Traders were not left out in the reactions as some of them expressed gratitude to the government for the raise in pay.

    “We are always happy when things go well for civil servants because they are our major customers.

    “I am not saying the government has done their best, but they have tried to raise the pay, it will also impact positively on our trading activities.

    “The only fear I have now is for inflation in the prices of goods and services, especially for petrol.

    “I appeal to workers and the NLC to accept what has been offered, and leave God to handle other issues,’’ Mrs Mary Adams, a grain seller, said.

    Ibrahim Saliu, an onion seller, simply said: “it is good that government has increased workers’ salaries’’.

    NAN reports that on Tuesday, the federal government said that it would pay its workers N30, 000 while the National Council of States recommended N27, 000 as the new national minimum wage for state government employees.

     

    NUT reacts to disparity in pay

     

    The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has frowned at the N27, 000 minimum wage approved for state workers.

    The union was also not comfortable with the Federal Government’s decision to pay its workers N30,000 as minimum wage.

    In December 2018, the tripartite committee had recommended N30, 000 as minimum wage.

    Dr Mike Ene, NUT Secretary-General, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the council should make the new minimum wage equal across board.

    “It is unfair and needed to be addressed immediately because a worker is a worker everywhere in the country, either with the federal or state government.

    “The N30, 000 translate to N1, 000 per day, we insist that the 30, 000 stands for all workers in the country,’’ Ene said.

    Dr Sabiu Sani, a lecturer with the Department of Economics, University of Abuja, said that the government would have implemented the tripartite committee agreement.

    According to him, “ We are supposed to have leaders that we can trust and not those that show disrespect to contract.’’

     

    TRCN boss commends Fed Govt

     

    Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) Registrar Prof. Josiah Ajiboye  advised leadership of organised labour to accept the Federal Government’s N27,000 minimum wage offer.

    Ajiboye, who gave the advice in an interview with NAN in Abuja, commended the Federal Government for offering its workers N30,000 minimum wage.

    The TRCN boss said the approval by both the Federal Government and National Council of States was a right step in the right direction.

    “I think the government has taken a very big step especially the Federal Government.

    “Apart from the Council of States approving the N27, 000 as minimum wage from the N18,000 which has been operational since 2011, the Federal Government has also promised to top the approved N27,000 for its own workers by N3,000.

    “This is a good development and if the states are able to faithfully implement the N27,000 ,I believe very strongly it will create a big leverage for our workers especially our teachers because it will serve as motivation for them to do more.

    “Everyone agrees that things are very tight for us in the country; so any increase in salary will boost the morale of the workers especially, teachers.”

    Ajiboye called on the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the bill when presented to it on Wednesday, Jan. 23, to make the new minimum wage become a reality.

    On labour’s rejection of the approved N27,000 minimum wage, Ajiboye expressed optimism that the leadership of the organised labour would have a rethink based on the current economic reality.

    “I think they will have a rethink because agreements are not cast in stone; definitely they are subject to review and I believe labour will see this as a big step first.

    “There is a clause that the minimum wage will be reviewed every five years and that is what we should be working towards.

    “So, in the next two to three years, we will begin to work on how to review the situation.

    “I think labour will be persuaded at the end of the day as a reflection of the current reality of our economy and look forward to moving higher at a later date,” he said.

     

    Muslim Watch urges labour unions to accept offer

     

    The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG) has appealed to the labour unions to accept the N27,000 new National Minimum Wage recommended by the National Council of State.

    The group gave this advice in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by its National Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi.

    “Our appeal to the Labour is to shift from its hard line posture of not accepting anything less than N30, 000 even in the states and local governments.

    “This stance of the labour will create more economic hardship for the nation and the workers; as the current price of crude oil upon which the current revenue of the nation largely depends is very low.

    “Rather than rejecting the offer, our labour unions should be realistic and patriotic to accept it and commend the Federal Government for being workers friendly,” Abdullahi said.

    According to him, as the nation prepares for general elections in the next three weeks any strike by the Labour on minimum wage will surely be a disservice to the nation.

    The national coordinator said the labour must shelve any plan to order strike for now in the interest of peace, stability and progress of the nation.

    He said the group received with happiness the resolution of the Federal Executive Council and the Council of States Meetings convened by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “According to the official report, the Federal Government has approved the N30, 000 Minimum Wage demanded by the labour unions but granted states the option of paying nothing less than N27, 000.

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    “This is a good point to start from, bearing in mind the challenges faced by stakeholders when the negotiation on this matter began about a year ago.

    “We must commend President Muhamnadu Buhari for keeping to his promise of resolving this issue and keeping faith with his assurance of transmitting the Executive Bill to the National Assembly Jan. 23.”

     

    CNPP appeals to NLC to accept new minimum wage

     

    The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Edo chapter has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to accept the N27, 000 new minimum wage endorsed by the National Council of State.

    The Chairman of CNPP, Mr Roy Oribhabor, made the appeal in Benin.

    He urged the NLC to accept the new minimum wage as matter of love and patriotism, in spite of the economic hardship being experienced in the country.

    He emphasised that the appeal became necessary after a critical evaluation of the N27, 000 minimum wage in Nigeria as approved by the NCS.

    “In as much as we know things are hard, we solicit for understanding because of the reality on ground today from some states.

    “We commend the leaders of the NLC for the foresight and determination to provide acceptable wages for Nigerian workers,” Oribhabor said in a statement.

    He also called on state governors to be more prudent with management and allocations of resources for the betterment of the people.

    “Therefore, transparency and accountability should be their primary concern. Finally, we appeal to labour unions not to allow politicians to use them to advance their agenda to the detriment of the Nigerian State.

    “This is the best time to show understanding and accept the minimum wage because the process of salaries increment is never an ending negotiation, hence our appeal,” he said.

     

    Adamawa civil servants, Abuja group hail govt

     

    A cross section of civil servants in Adamawa have commended the National Council of State for resolving the National Minimum Wage issue.

    Also, an Abuja-based pressure group, Noble Youths Mass Support Association (NYMSA), hailed the government for taking action to avert nationwide industrial action.

    They said that the resolution was in the best interest of the Nigerian workers.

    Mr Idris Tarfa, a civil servant, who works with Adamawa Ministry of Works, told NAN yesterday in Yola, that the present administration made N27,000 minimum wage a basic bench mark for a Nigerian worker.

    According to him, the question of states going back to negotiate as it was the practice in the past has been put to rest.

    Alhaji Sulaiman Dauda, another civil servant with the  Ministry of Environment, said that the resolution on the new minimum wage would go a long way in boosting the living standard of  Nigerian workers.

    Dauda called on civil servants to reciprocate the gesture by giving their best for wealth creation in the country.

    Also Mrs Aisha Aliyu, a civil servant with Federal Ministry of Education said that the new minimum wage would help boost the nation’s economy.

    Aliyu noted that the development would stimulate the purchasing power of  civil servants which in turn would boost the production of goods and services in the country.

  • Minimum wage: NLC, TUC urge Buhari to emulate ex-president

    THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)  and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have described the late former President Alhaji Shehu Shagari, as a national hero and a friend of workers, who gave them a minimum wage of N125 per month – equivalent of 200 dollars in 1981  – without workers having to struggle for it.

    They asked President Muhammadu Buhari to emulate the late Shagari by approving the N30,000 minimum wage, which they said is equivalent to  82 dollars.

    In separate statements in Abuja, the NLC  and TUC said despite the fact that Shagari came to power on a different  ideological platform,  he held a special place in the hearts of workers.

    NLC President  Comrade Ayuba Wabba said: “We at the  NLC would like to join the Nigerian government, world leaders, family members and other Nigerians in mourning the death of  Shagari, elder statesman and first Executive President.

    “As President,  Shagari was humble, personable, considerate and broad-minded – some of the reasons that explained his popularity among the ordinary people.

    “Shagari initiated some landmark projects, including iron and steel and petrochemicals in his quest to make Nigeria an industrial hub.

    “Not a few hold the view that but for the coup that removed him from power in 1983, unceremoniously cutting short his second term,  Shagari would have seen through his vision of a highly industrialised Nigeria. We similarly hold the view that given his urbane and simple and straight forward life style,   Shagari would have built an enduring culture of democratic succession in spite of some of the disputed elections in his time.

    “However, Shagari was blamed for not exercising requisite control over some of the rambunctious and corrupt members of his cabinet or party –  a fact not a few,  today,  believe was largely responsible for his removal from power. Amazingly,  his removal did little to diminish his towering stature as no act of corruption or wrong-doing was traced to him.

    “Thus, in retirement,  he was both a respected voice of moderation and wisdom from which succeeding leaders befitted till death took him away.

    “For us at the Nigeria Labour Congress,  Shagari,  in spite of having come to power on an ideological platform that was manifestly different from the one we subscribed to,  holds a special place in our hearts. For instance,  he signed into law the National Minimum Wage Act of 1981 that provided for a new national minimum wage of N125, which was equivalent to about $200.

    “It took more than deft move and political will to execute this.  It took the milk of human kindness in Shagari and his deep appreciation of the dignity of labour and value of the human life to do this.

    “To truly appreciate the value of what Shagari did for workers way back then without a bloody fight,  let us pause and reflect on the value of the present national minimum wage of N18,000 which is  $49;  and the new national minimum wage of N30,000 (equivalent to $82), which is due since 2016.

    “One of his other legacies was a national housing scheme,  a component of which was the building of low-cost houses for workers across the then 19 states of the federation.”

    On its part, the TUC said Nigerian leaders have a lot to learn from the late Shagari, adding that at the moment,  Nigeria need patriotic and selfless Nigerians, who would dedicate and commit themselves to the task.

    The TUC statement signed by its President,  Comrade Bobboi  Kaigama  and General Secretary, Comrade Musa-Lawal Ozigi reads: “TUC mourns the demise of Second Republic President at 93. We feel particularly pained by his death because of the challenges confronting the country presently. Dying on the eve of 2019 elections to us is not something to rejoice about, his age notwithstanding.

    “We have a task of building a strong and virile country that would rank among the comity of nations and we need patriotic and selfless Nigerians, who would dedicate and commit themselves to the task. Alhaji Shagari was a statesman and he carried himself as such till he died.

    “Every leader is a good listener. They are equally patient, tolerant and act with restraint. These virtues are not common sights in the political terrain these days. Baba was always calm, even when he had obvious reasons to be angry. The reverse is the case in the present day. Politics of acrimony, hate speeches, lies, thuggery, money laundering and a host of other vices are what define our polity today. It is quite unfortunate.

    “Emphatically speaking, the TUC would like to state here that we would not want to believe that the great teacher and former president died in order not to witness any form of crisis before, during and after the 2019 general elections. He believed in service to humanity and was labour friendly with the signing of a wage increase in 1981.

    “We do hope our dear President Muhammadu Buhari would honour our late former president with a new wage and ensure peaceful elections in 2019. There are many things to learn from the late ex-president and we urge politicians to emulate him for posterity sake”.

  • Jubilation in Kano over N30, 000 minimum wage

    It was jubilation galore for workers at the Katsina Road secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the ancient city of Kano on Tuesday, following the recommendation of the payment of N30, 000 minimum wage, after meeting of the tripartite Committee in Abuja that led to the immediate suspension of the proposed nation-wide strike.

    The Kano chapter leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the United Labour Congress (ULC) gathered at the secretariat where they urged workers in the ancient commercial city to go back to work as they await timely enactment and implementation of the proposed N30, 000 minimum wage.

    Addressing a Press Conference at the secretariat, NLC chairman in the state, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, noted that the struggle was not yet over as he prayed for speedy implementation of the new minimum wage, so as to put smiles on workers faces.

    According to him, “there are still several bridges to cross before the new minimum wage becomes law and implemented. It is our collective commitment and dedication that has made the progress so far possible.

    “We need to stand ready in a state of full mobilization in case future action becomes necessary to push for the timely enactment and implementation of the new minimum wage. As such, I therefore call on all our members to immediately report back to their duty posts.”

    Minjibir commended the national leaderships of NLC, TUC and ULC, “for standing firm on the decision of the Central Working Committee and their resilience to protect the interest of Nigerian workers, especially at this trying period.

    “We appreciate equally, our partners in the struggle—the Civil Society Organizations, student unions, Keke NAPEP associations, market men and women, our labour veterans, security agencies, members of the Press, religious leaders and all well-meaning members of the public who identified with us during the struggle.”

  • Minimum wage: NANS urges FG to yield to workers’ demand

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has urged the Federal Government to urgently accede to the organised labour’s demand on workers’ minimum wage to end Nigeria’s unwarranted sufferings.

    NANS gave the charge in Abeokuta in a statement signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Azeez Adeyemi.

    Adeyemi said that the Federal Government should quickly prioritize workers’ demand, saying that their welfare and well being should never be compromised.

    He noted that the current minimum wage of N18,000 had become grossly inadequate and could no longer meet the demands of an average Nigerian worker.

    “With the increment in prices of petrol, goods and services in the nation, no doubt the minimum wage is long overdue for increment.

    “NANS is using this medium to assure the NLC, TUC, ASUU and other unions of our solidarity and support to the struggle of the ongoing strike.

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    “The national leadership of NANS under Bamidele Akpan, hereby directs all Nigerian students to actively and morally partake in all rallies, protests and other struggles organised by the organised labour.

    “We won’t compromise as we believe we all shall overcome this present situation,” he said.

  • TUC President: Why Governors can’t pay minimum wage

    …picks APC governorship form

     

    President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria ( TUC ), Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama has said that state governors are insisting that they don’t have money to pay the new national minimum wage because many of them are mismanaging the resources available to them and lack the initiative of how to increase their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    Kaigama who spoke at the APC national secretariat after obtaining his nomination form to contest the governorship primary in Taraba state said he believe that governors have enough money to pay whatever wage is approved by the committee currently meeting to address the issue of a new minimum wage.

    He believe that if the governors minimize their expenditure and wasteful spending on so called security votes after creating problems in their states, there will be enough to pay minimum wage to the workers.

    He disclosed that the national minimum wage negotiating committee were concluding their sittings and will soon make their recommendation to the government, but stressed that his government in Taraba state will not only implement the approved minimum wage, but will ensure that the welfare of workers in the state is enhanced.

    He said: “The issue of minimum wage is one issue that is legitimate in Nigeria. It is expected that five years down the line, government at all levels, including employers generally are supposed to sit down and negotiate with representatives of trade unions to negotiate a new minimum wage.

    “The case in point was due two years ago and we strongly believe that the dollar rate in Nigeria when this minimum wage was agreed upon was just about N150 and today, it is about N305 at official rate and the rate of inflation is very high.

    “Again, people are mismanaging the little resources that we have. For governors to say that they don’t have resources to pay is something that we disagree with. We strongly believe that if you have offered yourself to serve the people, you must be able to enhance your internally generated revenue. If you don’t know who to do that, give way to those who are prepared to enhance their IGR.

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    “You cannot lie down in your office or in your house to wait for allocation from the federation account, while not generating your own resources. If you don’t develop the potentials that God has given you in the area of agriculture, solid minerals, tourism to have enough money.

    “As far as the working class is concerned, there is no state that can say they cannot pay the minimum wage. We insist that you come with your data and we will come with our own data, and we will talk. We are at committee level and we are rounding up and making our recommendations. Some states are only mismanaging the resources.

    “We are aware that some governors are only creating crisis so that they can use the money to address the security in the name if security votes. We are looking forward to the amendment of the constitution where security votes will be outlawed.

    “I want to assure you that by being at the helm of affairs, Taraba state will not only pay the approved minimum wage, but also ensure that the living standard of our workers and the people taken care of. Ors will be quality representation of the people of our state.

    “The governors said there is no money. The current national Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole increased the minimum wage in Edo state from N18,000 to N25,000. It is not all about generating revenue and pocketing those money, but putting the money back into governance. I want to say that once God gives me the governorship, the issue of Treasury Single Account will be made operational in Taraba state.”

  • TUC to workers: participate in politics

    Trade Union Congress (TUC) President, Bobboi Bala Kaigama, has urged workers to participate in politics so they could be positioned 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, 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, Lawal Musa, Kaigama said while the union will play its own part by mobilising workers to vote, workers need not to 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 parts in politics, so as to be able to determine our fate. If you refuse to play politics, politics will play you,” he said.

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

    TUC Ogun State Chairman Olubunmi Fajobi urged Governor Ibikunle Amosun to fulfill his promise of paying outstanding arrears  before leaving office, advising him to rescind his decision that civil servants should wait till 2020 to earn promotion.

     

  • TUC calls for more houses for workers

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria ( TUC ) Bayelsa chapter has called on the three tiers of government to provide more affordable houses for workers across the country.

    Mr Tari Dounana, TUC’s Chairman in the state, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria  in Yenagoa on Wednesday.

    Dounana expressed concern on how workers suffer due to lack of accommodation, stressing that provision of more housing units would go a long way at improving their well-being.

    The chairman, however, commended the Federal and State Governments on some policies so far made in support of housing development for the Nation’s work force.

    “The issue of housing benefit is a big challenge, especially in a state like Bayelsa that is still green; the skyrocketing cost of rentage is a serious concern and it needed to be addressed.

    Read Also: Ekiti NLC, TUC bans two labour leaders for 10 years

    “So, we are using this medium to appeal to the government at all levels to ensure that affordable housing are built for civil servants, not only in Bayelsa, but the nation at large.

    “Yes, the government of Bayelsa has started some projects in different locations which they tagged “Building Houses for Workers,” we are waiting to see more and let the evidence speaks for workers.

    “I believe the project will go a long way to cement the relationship and confidence that the workers have for the government,” the union boss said.

  • Ekiti NLC, TUC bans two labour leaders for 10 years

    The crisis rocking the labour movement in Ekiti State deepened yesterday as the state councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) imposed a 10-year ban on their immediate past chairmen, Mr. Ayodeji Aluko and Mr. Kolawole Olaiya, from trade unionism.

    The ban followed last Thursday’s protest and shutdown of the state secretariat over salary arrears owed the workers by the state government.

    Acting on the auspices of Ekiti Workers Rescue Team, Aluko, Olaiya and other labour leaders declared an indefinite strike and passed a resolution dissolving NLC and TUC executives, led by Mr. Ade Adesanmi and Mr. Odunayo Adesoye.

    Rising from an emergency congress attended yesterday by affiliate unions at Labour House in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, the union leaders insisted that Aluko and Olaiya lacked the powers to declare a strike and dissolve excos of the unions, having finished their terms.

    Addressing reporters at the end of the congress, NLC Chairman Adesanmi urged security agencies to call Aluko and Olaiya to order.

    The labour leader accused the duo of working as agents of destabilisation.

    Adesanmi said: “The illegal activities of the aforementioned ex-labour leaders, acting under the guise of Ekiti Workers Rescue Team, came to a climax on August 23 when they gathered thugs and molested workers who were carrying out their legitimate and lawful duties.

    “There is need to ask them whose interest they were protecting because they didn’t act when workers were owed over eight months’ salaries. They have never engaged the government to pay pensioners, but they only woke up after the July 14 governorship election.

    “Sometime ago, an administrative panel was set up by the outgoing government of Governor Ayodele Fayose against Comrade Aluko and found him guilty of participating in electioneering  in 2015. This is against public service rule. It was the same unions that intervened and ensured that he was pardoned.”

    Reacting to the ban, Aluko maintained that Adesanmi and Adesoye had been prohibited from acting in their positions by workers, having failed to fight for the rights of those who voted them into their respective offices.

    Aluko said Adesoye’s tenure as TUC chairman had lapsed in July, adding that he lacked the locus standi to preside over a meeting where any member would be suspended or barred.

    He said: “Can any labour leader who has been described as a persona non grata by the entire workforce preside over a meeting and suspend any member.”