The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Wabba

  • We can defend our own, Ohaneze warns Wabba

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has warned President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, to desist from further attacking the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, over the replacement of Chief Frank Kokori as Board Chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

    A statement by the Abuja chapter President, Odozi Nwodozi, said Ohanaeze has the capacity to defend its own. It accused Wabba of mobilising urchins to disrupt the inauguration of the NSITF board because Kokori was replaced as chairman.

    He alleged that Wabba was against the raising of an administrative panel of inquiry into the activities of the fund, saying Labour may have something to hide about NSITF.

    The statement reads: “Senator Ngige has piloted the affairs of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. He has masterfully been guiding all decisions and actions taken to reposition the country’s workforce.

    “Without his astute administrative skills in handling labour issues, the restive workforce would have pushed Nigeria down the road of Venezuela. Who could have managed the cascading labour strikes of 2016-2018 as Ngige has done?

    Read also: Why Ngige was absent at May Day rally, by Aide

    “His capacity for equable negotiations weathered the storm of intricacies surrounding the new national minimum wage and brought all social partners to agreement. This is in the public domain.

    “We warn that we shall not fold our hands if this underserved harassment continues. We watched with heads bowed, the macabre dance of shame, as Ayuba mobilised urchins to take over the office of the minister, disrupted and forced the postponement of the planned inauguration of the Board of the NSITF on April 18.

    “We also watched as the same Ayuba converted the Workers’ Day rally for barbaric attacks on Ngige. We deplore the crude manners of the NLC president to diminish the office of the minister even in the presence of the Vice President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and members of the International Community.

    “We, therefore, warn that Ndigbo has the capacity to protect our own at all times. Though we disagree with Ngige on his choice of party and presidential candidate, that does not deny the fact that he is still one of our brightest, most patriotic Igbo man who believes in one indivisible Nigeria and our mouthpiece in the current dispensation. He should be accorded all respects due his person and office.”

     

  • Wabba decries social inequality in tax

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described the tax systems as less progressive.

    Speaking at the 18th Congress of the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL) held in Italy, NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said 84 per cent of the world’s people say minimum wage is not enough to live on. He noted that more than 70 per cent of the world’s people have little or no social protection.

    Wabba, who is also the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) President, noted that curbing inequality, would require pressure on employers–especially through collective bargaining, and on politicians, who must regulate the global economy and create the space for unions to bargain with employers.

    He urged the union to reinvigorate the social contract that allowed unions to create a better life for working people.

    Wabba said: “We insisted on the regulation of economic power and the redistribution of wealth and influence. We must make sure that working people are put first, not profits. All of that will require political struggle, but it must also mean social dialogue and bargaining. Bargaining for equality and redistribution, bargaining for justice and just transition, bargaining for shorter working weeks, better pensions, safer working lives. These conditions don’t exist in too many countries and there we expect tri-partite dialogue but in it is a sense Government must respect ILO standards and protect their people.”

    Wabba said fundamental rights were under attack in many countries, adding that the current and future  of the global economy are in the wrong hands.

    “The global economic system and current model of globalisation disproportionately benefit capital owners. The consequences for billions of people are poverty, insecurity and the loss of hope and trust.

    ‘’Given paucity of investments to produce a recovery that benefits workers, workers and their unions are extremely challenged. What can we do to help ourselves and to help working people and their families

    “Given the resurgence of neoliberalism, dictatorship, even fascism, our world is fractured and people feel very insecure. The extremes we battled in the last century and defeated are again the battles of today.

    “While we must analyse the challenges we face honestly and critically, we must also commit ourselves to action to create better work and a better world. I believe you call that “pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will,” he said.

    The ITUC has over 200 million members who are affiliated to about 331 national centres globally.

  • SGF to Wabba: Buhari committed to workers’ welfare

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, has told the new President of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, that President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to workers’ welfare.

    He urged Wabba to be a good ambassador of the country as he presides over the affairs of workers across the world as ITUC chief.

    Mustapha said the election of Wabba was a true reflection of the leadership he has offered Nigerian workers since assuming office and a clear indication that the country can always be called upon to offer leadership.

    He said President Buhari would not do anything to undermine workers’ welfare, adding that the administration would offer assistance for him to succeed in his new office.

    Speaking at a dinner in Wabba’s honour, Mustapha said  Buhari was of the firm believe that Nigerian workers deserve the best treatment.

    He said Wabba’s election to lead over 200 million workers across the world was a confirmation that Nigerians can provide quality leadership anywhere they are upon to do so.

    He said: “I want to assure you that as a government, we will give you all the support that you desire to succeed because we believe that from this elevation,  you have become ambassadors of Nigeria to the international arena.

    “They will watch you as they will watch the President of Nigeria because by extension,  every decision you take there within the context of the fact that you are first a Nigerian before leading the world class of the entire world.

    “I plead with you that in your representation, let  the spirit of excellence with which you have led in this country be reflected in your leadership so that for once it will be adjudged by the entire world that Nigerians are competent, efficient and effective when it comes to the provision of leadership.

    “I have no doubt that you are going to succeed because you have demonstrated it in this country and I think that the entire world must-have used it’s own binoculars invite search for leaders to lead the world at this point in time. I believe you will not fail us and you will not disappoint us.”

    He said that the President received the election of Wabba as the first African and first Blackman to occupy the the position of President of ITUC with great delight, adding that the government was not unaware of the fact that in attaining such position, Nigerians have always had stiff opposition.

    He said: “It is not easy to attain this position because when  it comes to region elections, we have always had resistance.  But for the whole world to come to the logical conclusion that we desire a Nigerian to lead at this time, or to occupy this strategic administrative post at the regional level,  I believe we have come of age and we will continue to give effective leadership to the different organisations to which you have been appointed. Be confident that your own government is solidly behind you.

    “When the President heard of the election of Comrade Wabba  to the office of the President of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) global and that Comrade  Safiyanu Mohammed as Africa regional Secretary of the International Transport Federation, it came to him as a pleasant delight that despite what we think our country is,  the entire world have come to acknowledge and recognise the excellence with which we lead as a nation.

    “I want to congratulate Comrade Ayuba Wabba and Comrade Safiyanu Mohammed for attaining these very important offices in their individual way. When I told the President,  he immediately ordered that a congratulatory message be issued in recognition of the leadership that Comrade Wabba has offered to workers in Nigeria which has taken him higher to the international level.”

    Wabba urged workers to pray for him to succeed in the new assignment as it was a huge responsibility. He added that he was conscious of huge responsibility the new position put on his shoulders.

     

  • Wabba elected ITUC president

    The President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Philibus Wabba, has been elected President of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) in Copenhagen, Denmark.

    ITUC is the largest trade union federation in the world. It was formed on Novemeber 1, 2006, after the merger of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and the World Confederation of Labour in Vienna, Austria.

    ITUC represents 207 million workers across the globe with 331 labour centres in 163 countries.

    Wabba is the first African to be elected ITUC President.

  • Wabba: Dickson will be first governor to pay new wage

    President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ayuba Wabba is hopeful Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson will be the first governor to pay an approved minimum wage.

    According to a statement by the governor’s media aide, Fidelis Soriwei, Wabba described Dickson as a forthright leader, “who does not pay lip service to any agreement reached with labour”.

    The labour leader was delivering a goodwill message at the opening of the 2018 Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council in Yenagoa.

    According to him, Dickson’s utterances and actions over issues of government-labour relations speaks volumes of his understanding of the dynamics of collective bargaining and respect for the rule of law.

    Wabba thanked the government for hosting the Joint Negotiating Council meeting for two consecutive times.

    He said: “In the public sector, collective bargaining agreements have been heavily politicised as a perspective to political correctness, devoid of genuine interest in the welfare of workers. This is the reason many states owe workers’ salaries and pensions.

    “I want to thank His Excellency for what he did during the last payment of the Paris Club Refund, because we made a case to the Presidency that despite releasing the funds, its impact has not been felt. The President authorised the CBN not to pay until there is a liaison between it, NLC and state governments.

    “I must say that Governor Dickson was one of the first to allow the state council have a written agreement, which was transmitted to us and that is being respected. I must thank you for honouring an agreement that was made in a gentleman manner.”

    Chairman of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council and Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Federal Civil Service, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, praised Dickson for his efforts at maintaining industrial harmony.

    She said: “Governor Seriake Dickson is a man of his words. His uncommon commitment to the welfare of public servants has been demonstrated once again in his provision of excellent facilities and logistics to ensure a conducive environment for the success of this meeting.”

    Dickson, who opened the meetings, acknowledged the contributions of public servants towards policy implementation and national development, describing them as the drivers of progress in government.

    He reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting the welfare and wellbeing of workers within limits of available resources and extant labour laws.

    According to him, the public service reforms initiated and implemented by the administration provided the enabling environment for the government to employ fresh hands, especially graduates, to enhance productivity and service delivery.

    He promised to maintain the prevailing harmonious government-labour relationship in the state.

  • NLC urges FG to accelerate implementation of new minimum wage

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged  the Federal Government (FG) to accelerate the implementation of the new minimum wage proposed by the tripartite committee on the issue.

    NLC National President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, made the call at a news briefing on Wednesday in Lafia.

    Wabba, who was in Lafia for the ground breaking of the affordable housing estate by the Federal Mortgage Bank, said the tripartite committee had already finished its assignment.

    “The committee has already completed its assignment and had to submit the reports first to federal government onward action.

    “So, we expect the FG to accelerate the process of implementation and transmit same to the National Assembly for other legislative actions,” Wabba stated.

    The NLC boss, however, commended the contributions of the private sector throughout the duration of the committee work.

    Read Also:NLC: ‘Fed Govt to announce new minimum wage soon’

    Wabba said that the union would not make the agreed amount public until all the processes were completed.

    He assured Nigerian workers that the union would not relent until success was achieved.

    Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, has said  that no agreement has  been reached on the exact amount that should be paid to workers as new  minimum wage.

    Speaking after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, Ngige said this was because the proposals ranged from N30,000 by the organised labour to N20,000 by state governments and  N25,000 by organised private sector.

  • Wabba: unemployment major contributor to poverty

    The inability of the  political class to tame unemployment has not only led to a steady rise in social vices, it has made the country to become one with many poor people, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, has said.

    He accused the country’s political leaders of not doing enough to create jobs that could put poverty at bay.

    He lamented the inability of the ruling class to fashion out policies that can drive sustainable development.

    He said: “Other groups and other countries have continued to manipulate our policies. We cannot on our own fashion out policies that can change our situation.”

    He argued that with the resources that God has given to Nigeria, there is no excuse for not succeeding in endeavours that other nations had made remarkable progress.

    Wabba said: “What is happening in our country is an unfortunate one because we have more than resources to develop our country. How we cannot take the huge advantage that our population has given to us is a mystery. I think that leadership challenge is the greatest problem we have as a nation. We are incapable of developing and implementing policies that can propel economic prosperity. Sometimes, I am tempted to ask what the problem is with the black man. There is virtually no African country that has peace and there is no way we can achieve development where there is no peace. Nigeria is assuming the capital of poverty of the world is worrisome and a position we should not be in in the first place.”

    Wabba lamented that the poor and non-regular payment of salaries to workers are formidable factors that are driving the growth of poverty in the country.

    The NLC helmsman, who alleged that about 350 Nigerians took loans of about N5.8trillion, which is haemorrhaging the economy,  called for the prosecution of the culprits.

    He said: “In the United States  that allowed bailout fund to rejig its economy, those that benefited from that largese have since paid back.

    “Why are those who took loans to revive their businesses not paying back? While we call for the repatriation of the money, they should also be prosecuted.”

    For Wabba, poverty would continue to ravage the continent until genuine peace was achieved and drum of war silenced.

     

  • Workers’expectations in 2018, by Wabba

    Workers’expectations in 2018, by Wabba

    To workers, the outgoing year is tough. Many lost their jobs; some were not paid salaries. On another front, the continued fall of the naira and the rise in inflation, among others, made life difficult for them. However, labour is optimistic that 2018 will be better, writes TOBA AGBOOLA.

    To organised labour, the outgoing year has been very challenging.

    The  economy, was troubled and the citizenry, workers particularly, feet the pains.

    The workers are, however, optimistic that the incoming year will be better. Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba, in this interview with The Nation, listed workers’expectations in 2018. He  said they expected the government to tackle unemployment, unpaid salaries and pension and introduce a new minimum wage.

    The NLC chief pledged that the sector would witness robust labour activities aimed at improving workers’welfare

    Wabba said the congress would recommit itself to leading the oppressed. In doing this, he said, the NLC leadership will conduct itself responsibly.

    The congress, he said, would liaise with her allies to engage the government and other critical stakeholders. Wabba asked for the support of workers and the masses for a better Nigeria.

    He said the outgoing year was  eventful and challenging for workers due to some developments in the polity, which tested their resilience.

     

    Job creation

    Following the thousands of jobs  lost last year, Wabba said the workers expected the government to invest in job creation initiatives in the new year.

    Wabba said: “Crisis of unemployment in the new year, and monumental unemployment will remain with us.”

    He said though the All Progressivess Congress (APC) government at the centre made clear its promise in its manifesto of delivering three million jobs yearly, he expressed sadness that after two years in the saddle, it is, perhaps, time to ask the government to give a scorecard to the Nigerians that went through a lot of odds to elect this government.

    He said: “How many jobs has the Federal Government and the 23 states controlled by the ruling party created in furtherance of its pledge to Nigerians during the electioneering campaign.

    “We had stated in our past new year’s messages, as well as other policy pronouncements, that we have some ideas on how we can create new and sustainable jobs.

    ‘’Unfortunately, no one in the government has thought it necessary to give us a hearing on what these ideas are, and what they entail.

    “At present, we are not even sure which ministry or agency of the government is the focal point on job creation.

    “What we have said of the ruling APC party, applies in large measures as well to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the states they control.

    “We will in the new year continue to knock on the doors of all organs of government and put on the agenda the massive unemployment situation the country is facing.”

    Trade Union Congress (TUC) President, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, appealed to the Federal Government to remember its “change mantra”, adding that it makes no sense accusing and condemning the previous administrations for corruption only for the recovered money to be re-looted.

    “Mere leaving a political party for the ruling party must not make anybody a saint. Anti-graft agencies and the judiciary must prosecute those who were caught with our money. We know corruption is fighting back but we are confident that the war over evil will always emerge victorious. The world is watching and waiting for the pride of Africa and most populated black nation to blossom. The Federal Government’s economic recovery plan must not fail.  No more excuses,” he said.

     

    Unpaid salaries and pensions/retrenchments

    The NLC president said in the preceding year, the union tackled some state governments over non-payment of outstanding wages and pension of workers and pensioners.

    He said one of the legacies of the misrule of the preceding years is the  irregular and non-payment of retired civil servants, which, he said amounted to 12 months’arrears in many states.

    Wabba said: “In fairness to the Federal Government, President Buhari had made consistent efforts to bail out state governments to pay workers’ wages in the states as 27 of the 36 states were in default at the inception of the administration in Mays 2015.

    “In the New Year, the Congress would work with state councils of the NLC to engage state governments to pay up pension arrears of their retired employees, and to conclude arrangements to join the Contributory Pension Scheme as provided for in the Pensions Reform Act of 2014.

    “In the same vein, we shall mobilise for all employers to pay the new pensions contribution of 18 per cent of total pay which came into effect with the signing of the new Pension Act into law in July 2014.”

    He also said the congress anti-casualisation campaigns would be intensified in the New Year.

    He said the NLC would continue its campaign against the incidence of non-payment of salaries.

     

    Struggle against increase in price of petrol

    Wabba lamented that petroleum products price increase has been a recurring decimal in the past two decades and the argument has been the same. He said: “We continue to wonder why we cannot refine our products locally for domestic use and even for export, which in the long-run would create a chain of benefits.

    “The full implementation of all the palliative measures to cushion the effect of the increase in fuel price as recommended by the Technical Committee is still being awaited. We call on the government to expedite action on the implementation of the recommendations”.

    Nigeria   Union   of   Petroleum   and   Natural   Gas   Workers   (NUPENG)   in a statement signed by its President, Comrade Igwe Achese, decried the pains caused by the fuel scarcity.

    The Union frowned  at  the  incessant fuel scarcity, which has resulted to long queues, loss of man-hours and endless search for products. NUPENG  said the scarcity  has   further worsened the  citizens’ standard of living through increased  fares and goods and services’ prices.

    The Union called on the government to address the situation instead of trading blames when the depots are dry. It, therefore, called on the Federal Government to urge the appropriate bodies to flood the market with petroleum products in 2018 as a stopgap. In the long run, it stressed that the nation’s four refineries should be revamped to reduce the pressure on foreign exchange for petroleum products import.

     

    Minimum wage increment

    Labour expressed optimism that the Federal Government would give workers a good living wage.

    President Buhari last month okayed the appointment of a 30-member tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee for the negotiation of a new National Minimum Wage.

    Wabba said:“Our expectation is that the demand of labour will be met.

    “We will discuss with an open mind to ensure that we achieve our aims and objectives.’’

    He said the meeting with the tripartite committee would be a social dialogue and that of collective bargaining.

    According to him, the inauguration is long overdue and that effort will be made to fast-track negotiations to ensure that workers and pensioners get their accrued benefits.

    He said labour would discuss issues relating to rate of Naira because the exchange rate had increased from when N56,000 was being proposed by labour.

    NLC General Secretary, Mr Peter Ozo-Eson, also said the committee would discuss many issues affecting the minimum wage.

    According to Ozo-Eson, it is over two years since labour proposed N56,000 as minimum wage to the government; and so will consider some socio-economic indices to take its action.

    He said the labour was looking forward to the inauguration because the committee was made up of a tripartite group that would discuss issues affecting the workers.

    “We look forward to the inauguration, which I believe will discuss the facts and realities when it starts the negotiation.”

     

    Fight against corruption and for good governance

    Wabba said in furtherance of the union campaign for good governance and struggle against corruption, the Congress in collaboration with the TUC would continue to  support the Federal Government in the fight against corruption.

    ‘’We have maintained our historic commitment to the fight against corruption in our country because we are clear that our lack of development is largely attributable to the level of corruption in our polity.

    “For us, there is the need to strengthen the fight against corruption and make it holistic and speedy enough for Nigerians to reap the benefits by deploying the recovered looted funds into meaningful development ventures. We call on the National Assembly to expeditiously pass into law the two Executive Bills that we consider critical to make the fight against corruption effective, as follow “The Special Criminal Courts Bill”, which was submitted to the National Assembly last year; and the “Whistle Blowers and Witness Protection Bill”, meant to protest whistle blowers and witnesses from injury, death, economic sabotage, job termination, among others,” he said.

  • Wabba decries employers non-remittance of pension fund

    Wabba decries employers non-remittance of pension fund

    Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba has chided employers who failed to remit pension funds, saying their action is a threat to the contributory pension scheme.

    Speaking at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Trustfund in Abuja, Wabba, a director in the organisation, lauded the Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), saying the NLC had directed its sectoral unions to compile names of organisations that deduct workers’ money but fail to remit it.

    He said: “During my visit to some of our sectoral unions, I urged them to follow up on the employers that deducted but failed to remit, and ensure that the right thing is done for the benefit of the working class. Where any employer refuses to comply, the national secretariat will step in. It is criminal for any employer not to remit deducted money because the law makes it compulsory for every employer to remit pension funds.”

    He lauded Trustfund Managing Director Mrs. Helen Da-Souza for ensuring that the PFA stayed afloat, and declaring dividend in an unfriendly environment occasioned by the recession.

    “There are challenges with the remittances of deducted fund especially by the employers, including state governments as they often fail to remit these funds. Trustfund is able to overcome the challenges because of the ownership structure of the organisation. Labour presence on the board of Trustfund ensures that the policies and operations of the organisation are tailored towards enhancing the well-being of workers and guarantee maximum return on investment.”

    In a related event, Wabba has commended the National Assembly for passing into law a bill on  Local Government autonomy.

    He gave this commendation at a  briefing in Abuja.

    He said the National Assembly deserved commendations for voting in favour of local government autonomy, despite pressure from interest groups.

    Wabba was optimistic that, if assented to, the amendments would free the local governments from the strangle-hold of state governments, and widen the democratic space as well as restore the lost glory of local governments.

    “The local government system,  known by various names, is the oldest form of administration, and sadly, the most abused and exploited in our post-colonial history.

    “Until progressive decline and bastardisation set in, the local government represented the centre of administrative excellence, clinical efficiency, training, education, development, tax administration and effective commodity boards. Local governments also represented maintenance culture of infrastructure, including roads, environmental sanitation, functional health facilities, low incidences of corruption and violent crimes. The singular reason for this magical performance was that local governments were close to the people and ministered to their needs,” he said.

    Wabba urged governors “to sheathe partisan or insular considerations and support these amendments in national interest”.

  • Workers never get demands on platter of gold, says Wabba

    Workers never get demands on platter of gold, says Wabba

    NIGERIA Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba has said workers have always engaged in struggles before the government met their demands.

    He said this during an interaction between labour leaders and workers in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    “There had never been anything that labour got on a platter of gold since the history of labour movement in Nigeria.

    “We are here (Port Harcourt) to interface with Rivers workers and know how they are faring,” he said.

    He said the NLC was aware of the condition of workers, noting that many states were owing workers alot.

    Wabba alleged that workers were not receiving fair treatment, yet they create wealth and implement government policies and programmes.

    According to him, dead workers are not immediately replaced, thereby putting additional workload on workers. He said unity was the strength of labour unions all over the world, stressing that “injury to one is injury to all”.

    Wabba further said the NLC had visited almost all the states, feeling the pulse of workers.

    Earlier, the Rivers Chairman, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Mr Austin Jonah,  told reporters that the N50,000 minimum wage demanded by labour was feasible.

    He said the N18,000 minimum wage was nothing to write home about, arguing that at N900 daily for feeding, prisoners earned N27,000 monthly. ‘’You can see that the prisoner is better off than the worker.’’

    Jonah said TUC and NLC had fought each other but had settled their differences and were now working as one.