The Nation Newspaper

Tag: workers

  • Ekiti workers shun offices

    Ekiti workers shun offices

    Many civil servants in Ekiti State shunned their offices yesterday, hours after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) suspended the nationwide strike to protest the increase in fuel price.

    At government offices, including the State Secretariat, old Governor’s Office, new Governor’s Office, House of Assembly, High Court complex, local government secretariats and schools, few workers were around as at 10am.

    The workers gathered outside their offices to discuss their experiences and  fate over an impending local labour showdown.

    The lull in government activities prompted many of those who came to work to return home as early as 11am.

    Some workers, who pleaded for anonymity, said though the NLC had directed its members to resume work, some  of them heard the  information late.

    A worker said: “Many of our colleagues who did not report for work said they were awaiting further directive from the state chapter.”

    The Nation gathered that the workers’ action was in deference to an ultimatum by the state councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) to the government to pay workers’ salaries arrears and deductions.

    The ultimatum expired 24 hours before the NLC nationwide strike began, which made many workers assume that a local strike had begun.

    Ekiti NLC Chairman Ade Adesanmi said unions would meet today.

     

  • ‘We prioritise workers’ welfare’

    Workers in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) have been assured that their welfare will continue to receive the highest attention under the present administration as all necessary measures have been put in place to ensure the sustainability of an enduring welfare package for them.

    FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello gave the assurance  in  Abuja during the first Labour Day celebration of this Administration.

    The minister eulogised the workers for their remarkable contributions to nation building, adding that Labour is the goose that lays the golden egg.

    He pointed out that the Federal Capital Territory Administration has evolved various policies intended to ensure adequate welfare and conducive working environment for the work force.

    According to a statement issued by the Special Assistant ( Media ), Abubakar Sani, the minister said: “I make bold to say that, because of the high premium we place on workers’ welfare, this administration ensures regular payment of salaries and allowances to our workers; in the same vein we have ensured that housing allowances are paid as at when due, while deserving staff have received their promotions. Aside these, my administration places a high premium on staff training and retraining. This is with a view to giving incentives to our workers and ensuring optimal service delivery”.

    Bello said May Day is celebrated globally to mark the sacrifices of workers towards building a better world, adding that it highlights the contributions which workers have consistently made to ensure a world where values of social justice and employment rights are fully protected.

    He noted that the the theme for this year’s celebration which is “The Working Class and the Quest for Socio-Economic Revival.” is, indeed, very appropriate and timely, considering the state of our national affairs.

    Bello, however, lamented that this year’s May Day is being celebrated at a time of serious downturn in the nation’s economy with international oil prices sliding downwards and adversely affecting our national revenue. A situation which according to him was further worsened by corruption and mismanagement of the past.

    ”Being mindful of this situation, President Muhammadu Buhari articulated a Change Agenda that focuses on anti-corruption, fiscal discipline and diversification of the economy. In line with this, the Federal Government has evolved several policy frameworks designed to breathe a new lease of life into the economy,” he said.

    Malam Bello said the FCT administration would continue partner with Labour in the efforts towards restoring the old glory of our great nation, stressing that his administration will not allow the issue of paucity of funds to “make us abdicate our responsibility to Labour as the FCTA will continue to be a front runner on the issues of workers’ welfare”.

    Bello then urged Labour to continue to support government in these difficult times.

     

  • NLC suspends strike, ready for negotiation

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended the nation wide strike action called to protest the increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as petrol, saying the action was a huge success.
    In a communique at the end of a two hour meeting of the National Executive Council, the congress said it was said it was ready to return to the negotiating table to discuss the issues that led to the strike and other burning issues affecting the welfare of Nigerian workers.
    It said in calling the action, it expected challenges from both within and outside the congress and was therefore not surprised by government’s negative response, adding that it felt fulfilled by having the presence of mind and courage to identify its missio. And fulfilling it.
    The communique signed by the President of Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and the General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson said however that it will continue to resist wrong legislations, policies and programmes of government and will always act in the best interest of Nigerians as it remains the only pan Nigerian organisation not affected by religion, region, creed, partisanship or primordial sentiments.
    The congress asked the government to play by the rules in its engagement with its constituent parts, stakeholders and non-state actors as proof of its commitment to deepening democracy in the country and also in acknowledgment of the well-worn credo that what goes around, comes around.
    It commended the National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly for their intervention and asked the citizenry to be vigilant at all times as the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

  • Improve workers’ welfare, govt urged

    Improve workers’ welfare, govt urged

    Union leaders have urged the Federal Government to give priority to workers’ welfare.

    The unionists lamented that workers’ welfare was poor across the country.

    The President, National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Alhaji Ibrahim Khaleel, urged the three tiers of government to take necessary steps to improve workers’ welfare.

    According to him, some state governments are owing workers 10 months’ salaries. “I urge government to step in and address our immediate problem, which is the inability of government to pay workers’ salaries as and  when due,” he said. He lamented that government has failed in the payment of workers’ salaries, particularly local governmen employees.

    Describing it as a serious challenge, Khaleel said President Muhammadu Buhari needed to make good the promise he made when he was sworn in last year. “I recall he promised to address issues in the local governments to make them more functional,” he said.

    He urged workers to seek effective ways of ensuring service delivery across the county to create more wealth.

    The Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), FCT Chapter, Mr.  Amaechi Lawrence, decried the high cost of living in the territory and urged the FCT minister to look into it and provide more affordable houses for civil and public servants.

    He also urged the government to build more roads to reduce the traffic on the Nyanya-Mararaba Road.

    The Chairman, Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), Mr. John Gabriel, said government should look into the issue of fuel scarcity and put an end to it.

    “We want Nigeria to be a better place; there is also fuel shortage intermittently; so the prices of things are jacked up, even the cost of maintaining one’s car becomes higher.

    “For this reason, many people park their cars at home, leaving our members with no job and no money to take home for our families,’’ Gabriel said.

    The Chairman, National Union of Hotels and Personal Service Workers, Mr Jankat Pius, urged the Federal Government to immediately start implementing the 2016 budget, noting that the late passage of the budget is already affecting Nigerians negatively.

    “There is no money in circulation and everything is hard in the country; I know good things don’t come easy but I believe government can do something to make the life of the people better,’’ Pius said.

  • More workers join strike in Ondo

    More workers in Ondo State joined the strike yesterday.

    Gates of the state secretariat at Alagbaka were locked, just as it happened at the local government secretariats.

    Banks were also shut in compliance with the directive of the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institution Employees (NUBFIE).

    Men of the road transport unions blocked major roads depriving motorists’ easy passage and taxis failed to operate in major cities.

    Labour leaders who monitored the protest dispersed at about 3pm and retired to the NLC secretariat, Alagbaka, to assess its impact.

  • Workers defy order in Kogi

    Residents of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital went about their normal activities in disregard to the strike order.

    Signs that the residents, including workers, would ignore the order emerged on Tuesday, as many openly denounced the labour leaders, who they accused of insincerity and complicity in the woes that had befallen the average Nigerian.

    Pupils were also seen going to school in the state capital.

    Labour leaders, however, held a peaceful protest in Lokoja, calling on the Federal Government to revert to the N86.50 per litre pump price.

    The union leaders, who gathered at the Olusegun Obasanjo Square, carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Baba Buhari, you have failed us”; “Nigerians are suffering with this burden, enough is enough”; “Don’t experiment with our lives”; “All Promises Cancelled (APC)”.

    State chairman Onuh Edoka who lamented the hike said the development would send many workers to their early graves.

    “We reject completely, the increase in fuel price through the back door. The Federal Government should revert to N86.50 per litre because there can be no immediate palliative measure other than that,” he said.

  • Ogun 160-unit workers’ estate ready

    The Ogun State government has completed 160 units of two- and three-bedroom detached and semi-detached bungalows for its employees.

    The wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari, inaugurated the Phase 1 of the estate named after the state’s first Head of Service, Chief Adedotun Adedeji Kayode Degun (AAK Degun MITROS Estate).

    Hajia Buhari lauded the state government for the estate located in Laderin, Abeokuta.

    Represented by the Minister for Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Hajia Buhari praised the vision of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration in providing standard housing for civil servants, urging workers to continue to support the mission to rebuild the state.

    She said the estate was a remarkable achievement for the administration, noting that the initiative would have a  great impact on the socio-economic development of the state.

    Amosun said the estate would reduce the hardship civil servants face to have a home of their own, adding that it would avail them the opportunity to access decent homes at affordable cost.

    He added that the project was in partial fulfillment of his mandate on home ownership, which seeks to deliver fully serviced homes to  its workforce.

    Amosun said the houses, which are fully serviced, have been subsidised, explaining that the first phase comprised 68 units of 2-bedroom semi-detached flats and 92 units of 3-bedroom semi-detached.

    Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Housing Development and General Manager of Ogun State Housing Corporation Mrs. Jumoke Akinwunmi appreciated those that contributed to the success of the estate, adding that 30 per cent of the project had been subsidised by Ogun State Government. All the housing units are ready with modern and the facilities.

    Akinwunmi, an architect, noted that the achievement was an affirmation that the corporation could build houses that would be affordable for the civil servants.

    Four former Heads of Service in the State, Chief Babatunde Osokoya, Mr. Godwin Ogun, Princess Iyabo Odulate-Yusuf and Mrs. Modupe Adekunle who also witnessed the commissioning, commended the efforts of the State Government on its home ownership scheme.

    The heads of service in their separate remarks, lauded the State Governments achievements in providing affordable housing and urban development, while the current Head of Service, Elder Sola Adeyemi applauded Government for the gesture.

  • Edo: Protesters chase out workers from offices

    Protesters against fuel price increase Wednesday chased out Edo State government workers who resumed for duties.

    The protesters comprising of factional members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and members of the civil society organization.

    At the civil service secretariat, workers were already seated inside their offices when they asked to leave.

    Gates to the entrance of the State Ministry of Information and Orientation, Ministry of Justice and other parastatals were placed under lock and key.

    Staffers of the various ministries did not join in the protest march.

    They waited outside their offices for several hours and later left for home.

    Teachers in privately owned primary and secondary schools shunned the strike and protest march as the schools were opened for academic activities.

    Pupils of public primary and secondary schools were sent home by their teachers.

    Doctors and nurses were seen at their duty post at the state government owned hospitals and the courts were also in sessions.

    Federal government workers resumed for duty at the secretariat at Aduwawa in Ikpoba-Okha local government.

    All the offices were open for businesses.

    The protesters also chased away stated government workers who went for verification exercise.

    They pulled down the canopies and forced staff of the Information and Communication Technology unit to stop work.

    As at press time, the protesters were still marching along major streets of Benin City.

     

  • Workers in North West shun NLC strike

    Public and private sector workers in five states of the North West on Wednesday defied the nationwide strike action ordered by the Ayuba Waba faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over fuel price increase.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that federal and state workers in Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, and Kebbi have reported to their duty posts in defiance of the order.

    Reports from the five states indicated that socio-economic activities were also going on, with schools, banks, markets, hospitals and other businesses fully opened.

    In Sokoto, some civil servants said they would not join the strike because it would only aggravate current hardships in the country.

    “Such strikes would only aggravate our situation; the NLC should have given the Federal Government the benefit of the doubt,’ Aliyu Musa, a worker at the Shehu Kangiwa Secretariat, said.

    Mr Mathias Iliya, a federal worker said “no worker in his right senses will join the strike action.

    “Nigerians should be fervently prayerful and patient with the Buhari administration as his intentions towards Nigerians are truly sincere.”

    Mr El-Mustapha Sani, the Police spokesman in the state, said all Area and Divisional Commands had been put on red alert.

    “The command had also made arrangements to fully patrol the state to protect lives, public and private property,” Sani said.

    In Kaduna. civil servants and all businesses including motor parks were fully opened, with residents going about their normal business.

    At the Kaduna State University, normal academic activity was going on with students taking lectures.

    Workers of the institution have also fully turned out for work, and according to the university’s Public Relations Officer, Adama Jafar, there was no directive from any union to proceed on strike.

    At the Olusegun Obasanjo State Secretariat, some of the workers interviewed said that they were not convinced with the NLC’s argument for the strike.

    One of the workers, Hajiya Lami Bello said that the NLC should respect the decision of the National Industrial Court, which ordered the union not to proceed with the strike.

    Another worker, Karim Ahmed said most civil servants were conscious not to fall into the trap of `no work, no pay’ as announced by the government.

    On her part, Sarah Bijimi urged the NLC and Nigerians to be patient and support the Federal Government’s action, saying “with time things will get better.”

    At the Barau Dikko General Hospital, health workers including doctors, nurses, laboratory staff were seen attending to out-patients and those on admission.

    Jonathan Yohanna, a staff of the state Ministry of Health, said “we are not on strike, all our hospitals are functional and our officials are working.”

    The State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, said it had deployed 600 personnel to guard strategic public installations in the state.

    Mr Orndiir Tergungwe, the command’s spokesman said the move was to avoid breakdown of law and order during the period of the strike.

    “We advise the residents to be law abiding and go about their normal business. We reassure the residents that their security will be guaranteed.”

    A check at the Kaduna Central market indicated that traders have turned out for full business.

    Yusuf Bala, a rice dealer, said “we don’t have confidence in NLC because at the end of every strike we don’t benefit from any relief.”

    Maman Kobo, a Provision seller, advised the labour union to “ sit down and dialogue with government rather than embark on strike.”

    Reports from Kebbi indicated that civil servants had also defied the NLC’s call for total strike action.

    NAN reports that government offices, markets, banks and business centres have opened for normal business, while civil servants have reported to their places of work as early as 8:00am.

    The Chairman of the state NLC, Murtal Usman, told NAN in a telephone interview that he was on his way to Birnin Kebbi from Abuja, and insisted that the strike would hold.

    According to him, the NLC will assemble workers by 10:00 am at the Labour House before embarking on the strike.

    The State Secretary of Birnin Kebbi Federal Medical Centre of National Association of Nurses and Midwives, Usman Mohammed, said they had not received any signal to embark on the strike.

    “We are waiting for the signal from the national secretariat of our association and until we receive the signal we will not embark on the strike”, he added.

    A cross section of workers and residents indicated they were not satisfied with the reasons advanced by the NLC to embark on the strike.

    In Kano, the nationwide strike action called by the organised labour has also met a setback, as workers in the state ignored the directive.

    A NAN correspondent who monitored the situation reports that state and federal government workers had all reported to their various places of work.

    When NAN visited Audu Bako Secretariat, and Federal Government Secretariat at about 8:30 am, workers were seen in their respective offices while others were seen within the premises in groups discussing about the strike.

    Similarly, all commercial banks, markets and motor parks had all opened for business in the state.

    As at the time of filing the report, traders at the two major markets in Sabon Gari and Kantin Kwari had opened their shops for business as directed by the National President of the Harmonised Traders Union of Nigeria, Alhaji Bature Abdulaziz.

    Abdulaziz had on Monday called on traders across the country to ignore the planned strike by the labour unions.

    At the First Bank of Nigeria, Kano main branch, workers were also seen going about their normal schedules.

    One of the staff of the Bank who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, described the strike as unnecessary, adding that majority of Nigerians were not in support of it.

    “This strike is a failure as most Nigerians are not in support of it”, he said.

    NAN also reports that primary and secondary schools as well as other higher institutions in the state had opened.

    However, in Bayero University Kano, some lecturers had joined the strike while others were working.

    In Katsina, NAN reports that the workers at the State and Federal Secretariats have reported to their duty posts.

    Jibrin Garkuwo, a middle level worker said that they decided not to join the strike because Katsina was the home state of President Buhari.

    He said that they are ready to support the president to achieve his economic policies that will move the country forward.

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of NLC in the state, Alhaji Lawal Sandawa, said the union would assess the situation before commenting on the str

  • NGO celebrates with workers

    NGO celebrates with workers

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Activista Lagos has commemorated this year’s May Day with workers in conjunction with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other trade unions. The event took place at the Onikan Stadium Lagos.

    The group used the May Day celebration to call on government to use tax payers’ money for the provision of roads, schools, electricity, health facilities and water. It said provision of such necessary facilities for the people is the only way the people could enjoy the benefits of democracy.

    Activista, which is known for its slogan ‘Up with Justice, Down with Hunger’ also urged the government to investigate,  prosecute indicted Nigerians who are involved in the Panama Papers scandal, even as it warned that the issue of Panama Papers must not be treated as another Halliburton.

    The group is also called on government to beam searchlight on those involved as they cheat the government by evading tax payment.

    Activista’s National Coordinator Nigeira, Oyinkansola Mabe-ko called on the Federal Government to ensure the security and welfare of the people, adding that the government must ensure that multi-nationals and big companies pay their taxes failure of which amounts to financial fraud.

    The celebrations were attended by senior government officials and labour unions officials led by the Chairman of the Lagos chapter of the NLC, Idowu Adelakun.

    Activista is Actionaid International’s global youth network comprising more than 250 ActionAid partners and thousands of volunteers in more than 25 countries.