The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Union

  • Union plans N200m investment

    TO build on the success in its diversification, the National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) is expanding its business tentacles with N200 million investments.

    Also, the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) has given its administrative council two years’extension to oversee the business projects to be undertaken.

    Similarly, branches of the union cut across its 13 states’ councils have also backed the decision of the NEC, which is the highest organ of the union. The branches represented by their chairmen and secretaries at the union’s Secretariat said their support for the 38th NEC which took place in Abuja last month was borne out of the need to sustain the track record of the union in business in recent years.

    In a statement signed by the Coordinating Secretary of Branch Leadership’s Forum, Comrade James Olukanni, the branches said the need to invest more for the raining days is of more importance to them as members of the union.

    “Today, part of what brought us to limelight is our prudence and meticulous investments such as commercial hotel, solidarity infinity venture, water factory plant, befitting secretariat  among others.

    “The National president announced to the NEC in session that a saving of N200 million has been made in order to kick start another modest five stars hotel very soon. We believe we all need to embrace the sacrifice of today for the pleasure of tomorrow,” the statement said.

    It explained further that the suspension of the delegate conference for two years was due to the fact that most of the ongoing projects at  the national headquarters need to be completed and in order to invest more for the organisation and across the several state councils so as to lay a good legacy and sustaining future for the incoming leaders at various levels of the union’s structure.

    The union’s President, Comrade Lateef Oyelekan, said the N200 million saved from the investments would be committed to expanding the union’s tentacles in business, more so to save the union from future financial embarrassment.

    He said: “The expansion is part of our long term project to sustain the union because last year, we lost over 3,000 members due to retrenchment, and those numbers cannot be regained within the same years even with new investments coming into the country and we have continued to lose check off dues.

    “Hence we have concluded plans to build a new hotel either in Ibadan or Portharcourt, as well as a water factory. Our projection really is to have our water factory in all our 13 states’ councils.”

    He explained further that another challenge for the union was the use of robots in the factories, which are now taking over jobs of the workers, which indirectly is a big loss to the union, adding that the only way is to expand its business empire.

  • Union urges members to vote out anti-workers governors, politicians

    The Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) has asked its members not to vote for governors and other candidates who are anti-labour and anti-people in the general elections.

    The Union affirmed Comrade Lawrence Amaechi as its president and dissolved the caretaker committee.

    Rising from its Special National Delegates Conference, the union called on its members and Nigerians to vote wisely.

    The  National Industrial Court (NIC) had ordered the immediate past leadership of the union to back their successors, an action which was complied with, before the leadership stepped down, following the expiration of their tenure and a caretaker committee, when the union went on appeal.

    The conference confirmed Comrade Idris Yahaya Ndayako as the union’s general secretary.

    In a communique signed by the union’s President Comrade Lawrence Amaechi and General Secretary Comrade Yahaya Ndayako, the union commended the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leadership in ensuring that the new minimum wage of N30,000 bill is passed into law.

    The conference also elected  Comrade Kabiru  Gaya as the new national auditor, following the resignation of Comrade Aliyu Mutazu who had retired from the Civil Service of Katsina State.

    The communique said: “On the other hand, Special National Delegates’ Conference reiterates NEC’s directive that an impostor, Mr. M. Z. Nzidee who had been since expelled from the union, must be prosecuted from wherever he is hiding for his recent act of hooliganism, culminating into vandalism of the  National Secretariat, stealing huge sums of money and molesting Staff of  the union with his collaborators.

    “Special NDC decried the activities of politicians as relate the February 2019 General Elections, particularly on their campaign strategies.

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    “Conference reiterated its position that governors that are anti-labour and anti-people must be voted against. It called on its members and Nigerians to vote wisely in defence of democracy

    “The NEC passed a vote of confidence on the national Leadership of the union led by Comrade Amaechi L. U.  for its commitment, initiatives and purposeful Leadership since assumption of leadership of the union”.

  • Union praises Fed Govt for tackling influx of ‘expatriates’

    The National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) has commended the Federal Government for addressing the influx of expatriates.

    Speaking with The Nation, the union’s President, Comrade Lateef  Oyelekan said prior to the election of President Muhammadu Buhari, the country was bedeviled with influx of foreigners, who disguised as expatriates to corner the scanty jobs  meant for Nigerians, thereby making more competent Nigerians them second class citizens.

    He said: “However, with the introduction of Executive Order ‘5’ by President Buhari, the despicable practice of expatriates quota abuse and influx of all manners of foreigners to take few jobs meant for Nigerians is steadily and consistently fading out.

    “President Buhari’s patriotic action was a reaction to our union and other industrial unions’well-articulated protests and memorandum forwarded to the Presidency through the Minister of Labour and Employment , D’r. Chris Nwabueze Ngige to draw the attention of the government to the dangerous implications of uncontrolled expatriates influx.

    “For this spectacular action, our union leadership and, indeed, all our members shall remain eternally grateful to President Buhari.”

    Oyelekan said the Federal Government has demonstrated its commitment to transforming and revolutionising infrastructure, electricity and rail transportation system.

    “Indeed, the government has excelled exceedingly in massive investment on infrastructure, electricity and rail transport development more than any government in history,” he said.

    He said the prioritisation of investment on these key sectors of the economy represents a giant step in the right direction considering the fact that the key sectors is the main catalyst to drive and stimulate economic transformation.

  • Union: 500% tariff suspension saves 165,000 jobs

    The National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) said the suspension of the proposed 500 per cent increase in tariff on spirits, wines and tobacco products, has saved about 165,000 jobs in the sector.

    Last year, the Federal Government announced plans to increase excise tariff by more than 500 per cent on spirits, wines and tobacco products. Thereafter the union intervened and appealed to the government to suspend the implementation of the increase.

    NUFBTE National President, Comrade Oyelekan Idowu  said this singular patriotic action of the President Buhari’s government effectively saved the looming extinction of the affected companies thereby saving direct and indirect jobs of more than 165,000 of Nigerians.

    Oyelekan said It is a fact that the administration has painstakingly created an unprecedented enabling environment required for a stress free labour/industrial relations practice and administration both in the public and private sectors.

     

     

  • Union decries non-payment of salaries by governors

    The WAEC/Libraries and other Trade Group Council of Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Associated Institutions (NASU) has bemoaned the non-payment of salaries by state governments.

    In a resolution by its Deputy President/Chairman of WAEC/Libraries and other trade union group of NASU, Michael Adegoke, and secretary, ‘Damola Adelekun, at the end of its meeting at the National Examinations Council (NECO) headquarters in Bida, Niger State, the body said the unpaid salaries and allowances had impacted negatively on the quality of life of its members.

    It added: “Council expressed worry over the untold hardships being experienced by some workers following the failure of some state governments to pay salaries as and when due, running into several months.

    “The Council insisted that payment of salaries is a statutory obligation, which must be fulfilled by the state governments. It condemned in very strong terms, the reluctance of some state governments to pay workers’ salaries and pension/gratuities as and when due, despite the supports extended to the states by the Federal Government in the form of bailout funds as well as the two tranches of Paris Club refunds.”

    The Council urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to release another tranche of the Paris Club refund to the state governments that owe workers until they had fully accounted for the Paris Club refunds collected.

    NASU called on the workers to team up with like-minded people  to vote out anti-workers in the government.

    The union expressed worry over the high rate of youth unemployment, adding that it is threatening the sustainability of the nation’s economic development and causing increase in the rate of crime and other social vices.

    It noted the increase in population coupled with the rate at which graduates were being churned out of tertiary institutions yearly without employment.

    The union, therefore, urged the government to create the enabling environment for the diversification of the economy. It appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to get  create jobs.

    NASU commended the  government for the fight against corruption, but  noted that corruption was still responsible for the  insolvable problem of poverty, disease, hunger and under development.

    The Council noted that the government had not been transparent enough in the fight against corruption and that every attempt by this government to end the problem had not yielded enough positive result.

    The Council further noted that if care was not taken, this administration that came in as a physician might leave office as a patient because of the prevailing corruption in the system.

    It, therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure continuity in the fight against corruption by empowering relevant institutions to fight the cancer as he could not do it alone.

     

    The Council also called on all the anti-graft commissions and agencies as well as the Judiciary to intensify their efforts and make sure that culprits face severe punishment in order to serve as deterrent to others.

  • Call IOCs to order over anti-labour practices, union urges NNPC

    The  Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN),  has urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to call the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and others to order over anti-labour practices.

    The President of the union, Comrade Francis Olabode, who spoke during the 5th Triennial Delegates Conference of PENGASSAN /NNPC Corporate Headquarter (CHQ) Branch in Abuja, said the need to caution the oil companies was pertinent before they throw the industry into unnecessary crisis.

    He said: “The main objective of PENGASSAN is to safeguard and improve the rights, terms and conditions of employment of its members through labour and industrial relations processes, saying, however, that the association has continued to encounter difficulties with certain indigenous operators and the IOCS.

    He said: “We will like the NNPC  to call these companies to order before their anti-labour practices throw the industry into unnecessary crisis.”

    Comrade Johnson said the association’s constitution is the guide that binds members together, saying: “Therefore, we expect all branches and members to abide by and respect the constitution that determines how noble our Association will be in the eyes of our members and the general public.”

    He explained that adherence to constitutional provisions and best practices in labour engagement is crucial to the maintenance of cohesion and discipline, saying any breach will not be tolerated.

    The PENGASSAN President praised the NNPC management for supporting the Association in all its activities.

    He also lauded the Group Managing Director of the NNPC for playing a noteworthy role in the JV Cash Call resolution and for making the depots at Ilorin, Ore, Mosimi, Aba, Gombe, Ibadan, Calabar and Kaduna to be fully functional.

    Earlier in his address, NNPC Group Managing Director, Maikanti Kacalla Baru, implored PENGASSAN members to continue seeking the growth and existence of the nation’s oil and gas industry.

    He said the branch has demonstrated great deal of responsibility worthy of emulation by other trade unions.

  • Union bemoans sector’s high job loss rate

    Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) has raised the alarm over the high rate of workers’ retrenchment by employers in the sector.

    The union urged the Federal Government to engage employers  with a view to stopping the crisis mass sack may cause in future.

    Its National President, Quadri Olaleye, stated this during the union’s 40th anniversary and awards in Auchi, Edo State.

    The anniversary, which had “40 years of Heroic Struggle for Better Living for All: The Challenge, Success and Aspirations”, as theme, chronicled the union’s struggles in its efforts to promote workers’ welfare.

    Olaleye said the association would go into redundancy negotiation with companies to nip the situation in the bud.

    Olaleye, who blamed the situation on difficulties in the economy, wondered how the sacked workers would celebrate the forthcoming festive season, with many dependants in their care.

    He suggested that rather than the government granting capital allowances to multinationals on purchase of sophisticated machines, such as robots and automation of packaging which is largely responsible for job losses, it should introduce labour-intensive allowance.

    According to him, initiating a labour-intensive allowance would compel companies to use more of labour than machines to save jobs.

    Olaleye said: “We have discussed with government that instead of what we call the capital allowance, labour intensive allowance should be introduced.

    “The government should be able to engage companies and our employers’ association in discussions to look at the capacity of the industry and look at the number of workers that should be in that industry to move the food sector forward.

    “Government giving some percentages as capital allowance to companies that use sophisticated machines is totally wrong.”

    Olaleye also urged the government to urgently address the influx of substandard goods, while appropriate sanctions should beput in place to prevent smugglers from carrying out their nefarious acts.

    According to him, the menace has created complications for the industry, leading to increased  unemployment, redundancies and factory closures.

    The chairman on the occasion and Managing Director, Nestle Nigeria Plc., Mauricio Alarcon, commended FOBTOB on milestones attained.

    Alarcon, who was represented by Director, Human Resource, Shola Akinyosoye, called on labour unions to ensure that employers take workers’ welfare seriously.

    A keynote presentation on “Building stronger union through collective struggle: A challenge for Trade Unions”, by former Trade Union of Nigeria (TUC) General Secretary, John Kolawole, advised unions to continue to fight for people-focused policies.

    Highlights of the ceremony were the presentation of awards to members and companies as well as commissioning of a 26-room hostel for use by students of Auchi Polytechnic.

  • Union: sub-standard textiles control 90% of market

    The National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) has said cheap and sub-standard textiles control about 90 percent of the market.

    Speaking at the NUTGTWN 40th Anniversary themed: “Repositioning Labour and Industry for the Next 40 Years”, held recently in Lagos, the President of the union, Comrade John Adaji, said a country with a population of nearly 200 million should not complain of market problems.

    He said the challenge was the unrestrained smuggling and importation of cheap and sub-standard goods.

    He said the government must propel competitive local production by addressing the perennial electricity supply issue; implement a cocktail of incentives, some of which are contained in the Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) Policy.

    Adaji called on the Federal Government to review the gas price from $7.62 per cubic meter to $2.5 for local manufacturers, insisting that local industries cannot compete favourably with foreign industries without a reduction ingas price.

    The NUTGTWN president also called for the urgent implementation of the Federal Government’s Executive Order on the procurement of made-in-Nigeria goods.

    “We call for the immediate implementation of the Executive Order in respect of procurement of made in Nigerian goods. Uniforms for all uniformed agencies must be procured locally. The same applies to schools, markets, hotels and so on,” he said.

    The General Secretary of the union, Comrade Issa Aremu, expressed regrets at the moribund state of textile mills in the country, urging the Federal Government to intervene urgently.

    “Sadly, we regret today that KTL, which started declining in the early 90s, has been shutdown almost permanently since 2002 with thousands of workers laid off and some yet to be fully paid.

    “We are not here to agonise, but organise at 40th anniversary for the revival of KTL and other textile mills under lock and key.

    “We call on the Federal and State Governments to, within the context of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), urgently revive moribund textile mills in particular and manufacturing industries in general,” Aremu said.

    He suggested a state-led industrialisation process, in collaboration with private sector to consciously add value, create factories and decent mass jobs for youths.

    Aremu added that Nigeria needed good governance like in the 60s that would encourage made-in-Nigeria goods and halt capital flight through criminal importation.

    The Deputy General Secretary of the union, Comrade Yusuf Bello, urged the government to improve the textile and garment industry by supporting existing factories for old factories that have folded up to be re-opened.

     

  • Union to Fed Govt: ensure compliance with labour laws

    The National Council of Industrial Global Union Federation in Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to enhance its monitoring duties towards ensuring employers’ compliance with labour laws.

    The National Vice-President of the union, Comrade Issa Aremu, made this known to newsmen at a press conference marking the Decent Work held in Lagos.

    The Vice President said inspection, monitoring and enforcement of labour laws by the Federal Ministry of Labour should be effectively scrutinised.

    “We demand that the Federal Ministry of Labour under the leadership of Dr. Chris Ngige stand up and renew its commitment and will to further enhance its monitoring duties and ensure that every employer complies with the provisions of our labour laws.

    “We look forward to fundamental changes in the operations of the ministry and improved inspection, monitoring and enforcement of labour laws” he said.

    The union also demanded the termination of all forms of employment offending human dignity and denying workers access to benefits. It described precarious work as an erosion of basic workers’ rights.

    “We demand immediate end to all forms of employment that offend human dignity and deny workers access to living wages, social protection and denial of the right to join the union.

    “We ask the employers to respect the law and where the law is observed in breach, the ministry of labour and other agencies if Government should enforce the law.

    “Precarious work has led to increasing erosion of basic workers rights such as freedom of association and collective bargaining.

    “The use of temporary/casual workers has led to depletion in union membership and capacity to organise in all sectors that include oil and gas, chemical and non-metallic, steel and engineering, electricity and textile” he said.

  • Union: precarious work erodes basic workers’ rights

    The Industrial Global Union Federation (IGUF) Nigeria National Council, the world umbrella body of labour union, has lamented the precarious work as companies are replacing full- time workforce with temporary, casual, outsourced and contract workers at a frightening rate.

    The National President, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, an arm of IGUF, Comrade Akporeha Williams, stated this in Lagos as the union marked the World Decent Day.

    William noted that precarious work has led to increasing erosion of basic workers’ rights such as freedom of association and collective bargaining, stressing that the use of casual workers has depleted membership and capacity to organise all sectors, including the oil and gas, chemical and non-metallic, steel and engineering, electricity and textile.

    He pointed out that Mikano Nigeria Limited, Iron Product Industry Limited and others refused to recognise the union, in a bid to continue to perpetrate unfair labour practices – rendering over a thousand employees as casuals and contract staff.

    He stated; “Casual, out-sourced and contract workers are not protected and are exposed to all kinds of abuse, unfair and unjust practices, which are as follows; unspecified hours of work, low wages, denial or short payment of overtime, denial of sick leave and payment of sick leave, denial of annual leave and maternity leave, job insecurity, lack redundancy benefits, poor health and safety condition, non-payment of compensation for injuries sustained at work, arbitrary deductions and non-remittance of pension contributions and taxes, and denial of workers right of joining the union and collective bargaining amongst others.”

    He regretted that four years after privatisation of the PHCN, Egbin Power Plc, Ikeja DisCo, Enugu and Benin refused to sign and implement conditions of service for workers, negotiated over four years ago, stessing that distribution companies engaged in arbitrary lay-off of workers without laid down procedures.

    Williams noted that the Chinese employer in SINO PP Woven Sack in Kano where Textile Union has strived since 2003 was yet to respect the judgment of the National Industrial Court (NIC).

    The National President, National Union of  Chemical , Footwear, Rubber and Non-Metallic Product Employees (NUCFRLANMPE),  Comrade Olatunji Babatunde, said there was a huge cap between ideals and reality in the various sectors in the workforce.

    Babatunde said in his address on the World Decent Day in Lagos that employers hide behind what they call the ‘core’value of their business to casualise over 70 percent of their workforce through outsourcing and contract employment.

    He disclosed that the chemical and non-metallic sector and other industries were denying the union the right to organise.