The Nation Newspaper

Tag: workers

  • Workers reject Fed Govt‘s move to privatise public health institutions

    The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has rejected moves by the Federal Government to privatise public health institutions.

    Its National Chairman, Comrade Joy Bioblemoye, said at a rally against happenings in the sector at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja National Hospital and Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, that privatisation was not the answer to the problems.

    He noted that the challenges facing the sector included corruption and lack of fair management in the system.

    The rally, he said, was to express displeasure over the health sector workers’ plight. He accused the Federal Ministry of Health of withholding workers’ salaries for last April and May.

    The workers, he said, would shut  down the sector, if nothing happens after the rally.

    Calling for President Muhammadu Buhari‘s intervention in the matter, Bioblemoye said over 90 per cent of Chief Medical Directors of public institutions have private hospitals.

    Such practice, he said, led to the rot in the system because of clash of interests.

    According to him, the rally was to sensitise the public and government that workers are not strike mongers.

    “We want the Ministry of Health to respect court order and release our salaries for April and May.

    “While the court asked both parties not to do anything that could jeopardise the peace process, the ministry went ahead to implement the ‘no work no pay policy’.”

     

  • Falana to workers: fight governors who resist N30,000 minimum wage

    Human rights activist Femi Falana (SAN)  has called on the organised labour to “fight” any governor who is unwilling to pay the N30,000 minimum wage.

    Speaking at the 12th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja, Falana said the first part of the new minimum wage battle had been won; the second is to compel state governments to pay.

    “Labour should unite to fight any governor who may not want to pay the N30,000 minimum wage. States should cut their expenses and engage in income generating ventures.

    “As for the workers,  let the general elections be the last time that it will be left for our leaders to decide. Workers should come together. They should be the one to decide,” Falana said.

    The NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, reiterated the urgency for the need to pass the minimum wage bill by the National Assembly.

    “For millions of workers, an increase in the minimum wage is urgently needed to ensure a living wage that covers the cost of basic needs for a family.

    “Workers must be able to freely bargain collectively through their union for wages that reflect the tone value of the work they do and for decent working conditions.

    “On January 29, this year, the House of Representatives passed into law a new national minimum wage of N30,000. It is expected that upon the passage by the Senate, a conference of the two chambers of the National Assembly will harmonise the bill and send the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act to Mr. President for signing into law.

    “We appreciate and commend the House of Representative for the expedited action taken on the new national minimum wage bill,” he said.

    Wabba commended the Federal Government for releasing about N1.9 trillion to states for bailout, budget support and Paris club refund.

    He said: “The release of about N1.9 trillion in the form of bailout, budget support and Paris Club Refund assisted greatly in addressing the non-payment of salary, pensions and gratuity in many states especially worker-friendly governors. In some few instances, the funds were diverted and the situation has not been fully addressed.”

    Wabba said the economy given its vast potential, amid diverse challenges, showed some promises in recent times.

    “According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 1.81 per cent in real terms in the third quarter of 2018.

    “This is slightly better than the growth of 1.17 per cent achieved in the third quarter of 2017. The recent GDP growth and increase in internally generated revenue are signs of the steady recovery of our economy from recession. Despite these results, our economy remains largely import driven and dependent. The growth in the size of our economy – the biggest in Africa – is still non-inclusive as the gap between the rich and poor continues to widen. Though described as mixed, our economy is essentially rent-seeking and still suffers from systemic distortions,’’  he said.

  • Fed Govt to workers: NNPC, refineries not for sale

    •NLC calls for reversal of power sector privatisation

    THE Federal Government has assured the workers that it has no plan to sell any of the nation’s refineries and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    Anybody who has such plan, it said, did not have the  workers’ interest at heart.

    President Muhammadu Buhari stated these yesterday at the NLC 12th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference in Abuja .

    The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the  Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said government was determined to attain the decent work agenda, which involves opportunity for works that are productive, deliver a fair income, security for workplaces and social protection for families.

    “I want to reassure you of the commitment of this administration to the issue of welfare of workers. This is evidence of numerous programmes and policies that have been initiated by this administration in promoting the interest of the well-being of our workforce.

    “The administration is committed to addressing other labour issues that are still pending,” Mustapha said.

    But, NLC has called for reversal of power sector privatisation due to what it called chronic failures by the distribution companies (DISCOS) to deliver quality power supply to Nigerians.

    Its National President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said: “Since the privatisation of electricity distribution, Nigerians are yet to see the fulfilment of promises of efficient service delivery.

    “Instead, the electricity situation has gone worse with chronic failures by DISCOs to supply prepaid meters, exploitation of Nigerians through estimated billings and reluctance to attend to basic complaints.

    “Even with N39 billion bailout funds from government, the supposed private entrepreneurs have failed to turn anything around, except maybe their pockets, unfortunately, at the expense of Nigerians. This must stop.

    “We call on government to reverse the power sector privatisation because it has failed. Privatisation of public utilities has not generally proven to be the correct thing to do in most countries, even developed ones, according to a study released by Public Services International.

    Quoting author of “Why Public Private Partnerships don’t work; the many advantages of public alternative, David Hall, Wabba said  privatising public utilities had been a wreck in most countries.

    He mentioned Spain, France, India, South Korea, United Kingdom (UK), Australia among others showed “how public/state guarantees and loans to private sector for the utilities sector have resulted in failures on delivery of services as well as repayment in most cases”.

    He, however, urged the Federal Government to resuscitate Nigeria’s ailing refineries to liberate the downstream sector.

    According to him, “the crisis of industrialisation and manufacturing in Nigeria is best exemplified by the chaos in the downstream petroleum industry, where we have been unable to manage our vast natural carbon resources for national growth and prosperity of our people.

    “Our four national refineries are almost under lock and key as we depend on the importation of refined petroleum products for our energy needs. Promises by successive government to resuscitate our refineries have become a mirage.

    Read also: ABCON seeks higher transaction margin for BDCs

    “To rub salt to injury, our public officials have now found a new hobby – taking ‘selfies’ in an ongoing private refinery project being constructed by the Dangote Group. This is truly sad for Africa’s largest producer of crude oil and the sixth largest in the world.

    “We will continue to push for the resuscitation of our four refineries and for the construction of additional public refineries. This will bring to an end the fraud associated with subsidy payment.

    “The only sustainable solution to our energy crises lies in prioritising the development of the value chain in our downstream petroleum sector. This is a major step towards jump-starting our economy and unlocking trapped jobs. Our country would also be saving trillions of naira we currently spend on importing refined and poorly regulated petroleum products from overseas.”

  • Workers assured of job security

    The management of NIPCO Plc, one of Nigeria’s major downstream companies, has said the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) investments in 2019 will be  increased and assured employees of job security despite challenges in 2018.

    NIPCO’s Managing Director Sanjay Teotia, stated this in his New Year message to  members of staff. He maintained that the company will “continue to create opportunities for more vibrant and experienced personnel that will achieve efficient workforce to guarantee peerless service delivery.”

    He said: “Fourteen years of operations in an industry that is anything but tempestuous is a great achievement worthy of applause. I have no illusion that there is still a lot to be achieved as the company climbs the ladder to the very top.”

    It is instructive to note that in spite of the “daunting challenges in the hydrocarbon industry, the organisation has ensured the security of staff employment even as we strive to continually improve on your wellbeing.

    “My management will also continue to focus not only on productivity and a healthy bottom-line but also to staying relevant in the industry.I wish to assure that the company’s Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) initiatives would be stepped up .The initiatives underscore the fact that we care for host communities and not just the bottom line.

    In a review of his administration, Teotia said: “Since my assumption of duty as the helmsman in January 2017, I am particularly happy of the crop of employees and other stakeholders that I have worked with.

    “As employees of the company, you remain the backbone of the organisation pitched against the background that a company stands and works efficiently proportionate to the output of its employees.

    “NIPCO’s performance during the year is a testimony to the growing faith in me and the entire management team, even as I wish to intimate you that your contribution is pivotal to the company’s success.

    “You have demonstrated- individually and collectively – hard work, perseverance and utmost dedication and of which I am proud of.

     

  • Workers assured of job security

    The management of NIPCO Plc, one of Nigeria’s major downstream companies, has said the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) investments in 2019 will be  increased and assured employees of job security despite challenges in 2018.

    NIPCO’s Managing Director Sanjay Teotia, stated this in his New Year message to  members of staff. He maintained that the company will “continue to create opportunities for more vibrant and experienced personnel that will achieve efficient workforce to guarantee peerless service delivery.”

    He said: “Fourteen years of operations in an industry that is anything but tempestuous is a great achievement worthy of applause. I have no illusion that there is still a lot to be achieved as the company climbs the ladder to the very top.”

    It is instructive to note that in spite of the “daunting challenges in the hydrocarbon industry, the organisation has ensured the security of staff employment even as we strive to continually improve on your wellbeing.

    “My management will also continue to focus not only on productivity and a healthy bottom-line but also to staying relevant in the industry.I wish to assure that the company’s Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) initiatives would be stepped up .The initiatives underscore the fact that we care for host communities and not just the bottom line.

    In a review of his administration, Teotia said: “Since my assumption of duty as the helmsman in January 2017, I am particularly happy of the crop of employees and other stakeholders that I have worked with.

    “As employees of the company, you remain the backbone of the organisation pitched against the background that a company stands and works efficiently proportionate to the output of its employees.

    “NIPCO’s performance during the year is a testimony to the growing faith in me and the entire management team, even as I wish to intimate you that your contribution is pivotal to the company’s success.

    “You have demonstrated- individually and collectively – hard work, perseverance and utmost dedication and of which I am proud of.

  • Workers to Fed, state govts: our patience is running out

    WORKERs have again called on the Federal Government to urgently transmit the recommendations of the tripartite committee on a new minimum wage to the National Assembly, saying they are becoming impatient.

    The workers, who spoke through their leaders yesterday across the country during mobilisation rallies organised on the minimum wage issue, said governments should effect the payment of N30,000 minimum wage as agreed or  face an indefinite strike any moment from now.

     

    On N30,000 we stand, say workers in Lagos

    Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Vice President  Comrade Solomon Adelegan, who led the protest in Lagos, from Maryland to Alausa as early as 7am,  insisted that the government must transmit the N30,000 recommended to the National Assembly with immediate effect.

    Adelegan said workers’ decision for going to the Governors’ office in Alausa  was aimed at presenting a letter to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    He said the letter was just to urge the state governor to speak to  his fellow governors on the need to agree and effect the N30,000 minimum wage.

    Also speaking at the protest,  former Southwest Zonal Chairman of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo,  said the Federal Government was ready to pay the agreed minimum wage, “but the state governors are slowing down the presentation of the bill to the National Assembly”.

    General Secretary of the Joint Action Front (JAF)Comrade Abiodun Aremu  urged its affiliates, allies and Nigerians across religion and ethnic divides to join forces with the organised labour to enforce the payment of the minimum wage.

    Receiving the letter on behalf of the governor,  the Special Adviser to the Governor  on Civic Engagement, Mr. Benjamin Olabinjo, apologised  and said the letter would be delivered to the governor.

    The  protest caused a heavy gridlock stretching from Maryland through Ikeja to Alausa.

     

    Oyo Govt ‘ll soon make workers smile, says Ajimobi

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi said yesterday that his government will soon put smiles on the faces of its workers when the issue of national minimum wage is addressed.

    He also assured the workers that their pay would soon rise in compliance with the new wage law.

    Ajimobi spoke yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while addressing the Oyo State chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress in his office at Agodi, Ibadan, during a peaceful protest by NLC to demand for the implementation of the new minimum wage.

    The governor, speaking through his deputy, Otunba Moses Adeyemo, said every reasonable person knows that the present N18,000 minimum wage was very small compared to the high prices of goods and services.

    He noted that the Federal Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, is committed to the welfare of the workers, adding that government would ensure speedy passage and implementation of the new minimum wage.

    Chairman, Oyo State NLC Comrade Waheed Olojede said the essence of the peaceful protest was to call on government to quickly pass the recommendation of the tripartite committee to the National Assembly to enact it into law

     

    Ondo workers join protest

    Workers in Ondo State, like their counterparts across the country, yesterday protested over the new national minimum wage.

    Members of organised labour unions, who converged  on the Cultural Centre, rallied to Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, where they demanded that President Muhammadu Buhari submit a bill to the parliament for the implementation of the N30, 000 minimum wage.

    NLC President Ayuba Wabba, while addressing workers in Akure, said the protest became imperative to ensure that the minimum wage bill processes for the transmission would be completed.

    A letter by the labour unions to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu  was received by Secretary to the State Government Mr. Ifedayo Abegunde, who addressed the labour unions on behalf of the governor.

    Abegunde, however, said the welfare of the state workers was paramount to the government.

     

    Osun workers:  we’ll not relent in our demand

    Osun State workers also joined the protest to demand for N30,000 minimum wage, saying they would not relent in their demand.

    In their hundreds, they converged on the Nelson Mandela  Freedom Park  in Osogbo, the state capital, before marching round major streets of the town to register their grievances over non-implementation of the proposed minimum wage.

    The workers went round major streets, including Old Garage, Olaiya Junction, Ayetoro and Okefia and terminated the protest in front of the state House of Assembly, on Gbongan road while singing solidarity songs.

    With placards with different inscriptions: “No retreat, No surrender on our demand”, “We will not relent in pursuing our goals”, “On N30,000 minimum wage will stand” and many others, the protesters promised to follow the demand to a logical conclusion.

    State NLC Chairman Comrade Jacob Adekomi, who addressed his colleagues, said they would not relent until their demand is met.

     

    Imo NLC: we’ll reject anybody who reject minimum wage

    The Imo State NLC chapter called on President Muhammadu Buhari to hasten the process of the implementation of the proposed N30,000 minimum wage.

    The aggrieved unionists stated that they are ready to reject anybody “who rejected the minimum wage”.

    The protest, however, ran into a hitch when the leaders disagreed on where to lead the protesting workers to.

    The Executive members lead by the Chairman, Comrade Austin Chilakpu, marched to the office of the Secretary to the State Government. The workers, led by one Samuel Iwuala, took their protest to  the Government House.

    Read also: Abiara backs workers on N30,000 minimum wage

    Niger is ready to pay, says Sani-Bello

    Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello yesterday declared his readiness to pay the new minimum wage as being agitated by the organised Labor.

    He assured the organised labour the state that he is ready to comply as soon as the new minimum wage is agreed upon.

    The governor stated this in Minna while addressing the state chapter of the organised labour.

    Bello maintained the need for workers’ welfare to be improved upon in the face of the inflationary trend, which makes life difficult for workers.

    The governor reinstated that the welfare of the state workforce remains his major priority.

     

    Workers vow to punish politicians in Delta

    Delta State NLC vowed to use the opportunity of the 2019 general elections to punish state governors and other politicians paying lip service to the implementation of the proposed N30,000 minimum wage.

    NLC Chairman Mr. Jonathan Jemiriegbe stated this in Asaba  yesterday after leading a rally to the Government House, where he presented a position paper to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

    Okowa, who is seeking a second term in office, had promised to implement the new minimum wage once it is approved at the national level.

    The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Tam Brisibe, said his administration is labour-friendly.

    He hailed the organised labour in the state for their cooperation and support in the past three years.

     

    Kogi govt, labour disagree over unpaid salaries

    The Kogi State NLC chapter yesterday alleged that workers in the state were still owed between many months of salary arrears by the state government.

     

     

     

    NLC chairman Comrade Enuh Edoka stated this in the Government House Lokoja, while presenting the workers’ demands during a protest for the actualisation of N30,000 minimum wage.

    He said the workers passed through dire situations, owing to irregular payment of salaries.

    Chief of Staff to the Kogi State Governor Chief Edward Onoja asserted that with workers at the local government level, salary payment has not gone below 50 per cent.

    He said the state government would collaborate with the organised labour to ensure that the minimum wage demand is given the maximum attention it deserves.

     

    Akwa Ibom decries insensitivity of politicians

     

    The organised labour in Akwa Ibom State yesterday joined the nationwide protest.

    The protest, which was led by leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC),  saw hundreds of government workers marching from the Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat to  the Government House, Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo.

    Addressing workers at Indongesit Nkanga Secretariat, the state NLC Chairman, Comrade Etim Ukpong, decried the insensitivity of politicians towards the welfare of workers.

    Ukpong added that workers would bring down governments for politicians to recognise the fact that everything in the country belongs to the people and not the governors.

     

     

  • Workers dupe employer of N10.6m

    Two men-Abdullahi Yakubu and Victor Kalu – were yesterday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly  obtaining N10.6 million from their employer on the pretext of supplying him kerosene.

    Yakubu, 43, a sales representative, lives in Kogi State; Kalu, 37, a driver, resides in Agege, Lagos.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    They were granted N600,000 bail with two sureties each in the like sum.

    Magistrate M.O. Tanimola said the sureties should be employed with evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The prosecutor, Aondohemba Koti, said the accused committed the offence last November 1 in Apapa, Lagos.

    Read also: Embrace innovation, SON urges farmers

    He alleged that the accused conspired to defraud Mohammed Idris of the N10.6 million on the pretext of supplying him 45,000 litres of kerosene.

    “The accused approached the complainant that he had kerosene for sale at the Tin-Can Island in Apapa and asked him to buy.

    “The complainant told them to confirm the details. They came back and told the complainant that they had negotiated and that he should send the money into their accounts so that they could send it to the kerosene seller.

    “After the complainant had sent the money, the accused disappeared and efforts by the complainant to get his goods or money were unsuccessful, as the accused refused to come to work or pick up their calls.

    “The complainant reported the case and the accused were later arrested,” the prosecutor said.

    The offence violates sections 287, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    The case continues on January 23.

     

  • Police raid Anambra brothel, arrest under-aged sex workers

    A group of under-aged girls suspected to be commercial sex workers have been arrested in a brothel along Ring Road, Enugwu-Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of the State.

    The brothel, popularly known as Venue Spot, disguised as a restaurant, was reportedly raided by the police following
    a tip-off by concerned indigenes of the community.

    The Nation learnt that the action was occasioned by a joint petition by the Enugwu-Ukwu Traditional Authority and Enugwu-Ukwu Community Development Union (ECDU) to the police headquarters in Awka.

    The petition alleged that commuters plying that area were being harassed and embarrassed by underage commercial sex workers.

    The President General of the Community, Comrade Bonny Ozo- Nkwuaku, who supervised the raid, warned that Enugwu-Ukwu has no place for such illegal acts which, he said bred criminality and corruption of morals among youths in the area.

    “Enugwu-Ukwu people are known for their industrial spirit and enterprise. We live very decent lives and are law abiding. We can’t tolerate such businesses in our community.

    “We have also discovered that most of the commercial sex workers and their patrons are non Enugwu-Ukwu indigenes. We can’t allow them to come and soil the name of our town,” he stressed.

    The Nation further learnt that the brothel was immediately sealed after the raid while the suspects and their patronisers were taken to Awka to be arraigned in court.

  • Group decries workers’ poor working conditions

    The Public Service International (PSI) has decried the poor working condition with little or no salary in Nigeria.

    Its General Secretary (PSI), Rosa Pavanelli, who disclosed this during a solidarity visit to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja, said there was no excuse for any employer to deny his workers salary after such employees might have rendered their services, especially in a country like Nigeria blessed with so many natural resources.

    Pavanelli also frowned at the government’s plans to privatise the public sector, saying   it would impoverish the masses while leaving the common wealth for the few greedy elite.

    Speaking earlier, NLC President Ayuba Wabba decried the recent rejection of the proposed N30, 000 minimum wage by the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).

    “Coming at this very late hour to talk about any figure outside N30, 000 amounts to trying to divert our attention and it is belated.

    “I think the process is very clear, as outlined in Convention 131. It’s a tripartite negotiation process and the process has ended.

    “It took one year. The process that led to agreeing on the N30, 000 minimum wage was a collective agreement and we have remained focused on that,” he said.

  • ‘Workers running out of patience over new minimum wage’

    Barely two weeks after submitting a committee report on the mew minimum wage to President Muhammadu Buhari, labour chiefs restated yesterday that workers were running out of patience with government over its slow action on the issue.

    On November 5,  Buhari received the report of a tripartite committee he set up since last November to fashion out a new minimum wage for workers.

    Nigerian workers have been voicing their frustrations over what they describe as the peanuts paid to public sector workers in a country where political office holders, including members of the parliament, receive some of the biggest pay checks in the world.

    Speaking in an interview with our reporters in Lagos, the labour leaders vowed that there would be neither retreat nor surrender in the resolve of labour to ensure that workers were paid N30,000 as minimum wage.

    The Secretary-General of the Trade Union Congress, Mr Musa Lawal, said that labour would not accept any sum less than what was agreed on by the committee.

    “It is the tripartite committee decision for workers to be paid N30, 000 as minimum wage. There is no going back by labour on the amount.”

    He said that any governor, who would not pay the sum should have no place governing a state, noting that governors should respect agreements they entered into.

    Lawal said that labour would not hesitate to return to Abuja for further dialogue on the issue if the need arose, rather than waiting endlessly on the matter.

    The Deputy General-Secretary of the United Labour Congress, Mr Chris Onyeka, said also that governors were bound to pay the N30, 000 because they were represented in the committee.

    Onyeka remarked that the apparent delay in resolving the wage issue was a cover up to frustrate workers on the matter.

    “The delay is a cover-up. Except President Muhammadu Buhari wants to say that the tripartite committee report submitted to him has become irrelevant.

    “For now, the meeting between the President and the governors and threat by the later to sack workers are delay tactics on the wage implementation. We will not take it.”