The Nation Newspaper

Tag: workers

  • Fayemi meets workers, artisans, others

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has allayed fears over the rumour that he plans to sack workers, saying that as a worker-friendly leader, he will never pursue policies that will cost Ekiti people their livelihoods.

    He made the clarification yesterday at interactive sessions with religious associations, Timber Traders Organisation, Tippers Owners/Drivers Association, NLC, NUT and artisans, among other groups.

    They in turn pledged their support for him in the July 14 election.

    At interactive meetings in various sessions in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, they said the confidence they had in Fayemi informed their decision to participate in the sessions to listen to his campaign messages and present their own demands.

    Timbers association members thanked the APC candidate for the right environment he created for their business between 2010 and 2014 when Fayemi was governor, saying that the gesture informed their decision to support him.

    They also thanked him for donating a bus to them as a mark of recognition, regretting, however, that the present administration of Governor Ayodele Fayose punished them for supporting Fayemi in 2014.

    They vowed to support Fayemi despite victimisation, even as the association warned members not to submit their voter cards to the Government House as allegedly being demanded by the governor.

  • Workers seek expatriate quota policy implementation

    Private Telecommunication and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN) has called for the implementation of the President’s Executive Order.

    Its President, Comrade Oladapo Moses, said four months after the executive order was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, no blue print has been available on its implementation.

    Buhari signed the executive order on Feb. 2 to improve local content in science, engineering and technology components.

    The order, among others, prohibits the Ministry of Interior from giving visas to foreign workers whose skills are readily available in Nigeria.

    He said since the order was signed, the number of expatriate has increased and they do jobs that required no expertise.

    He said if this was allowed to continue, it would kill the plans of Buhari to fulfill his promise of creating 740,000 (20,000 per state including FCT) within the first year.

    He said: ‘’The rate at which Ministry Departments and Agencies (MDAs) grant expatriate quotas to foreign workers is worrisome.”

     

  • Ekiti 2018: Workers accuse Fayose, Peace Corps of illegal data capturing

    •It’s not true says govt. as Fayemi warns against illegal collection of voters’ cards

    The Enlightened Workers Forum (EWF), an interest group in the Ekiti State civil service, has raised an alarm over an alleged plot by Governor Ayodele Fayose to rig the July 14 governorship election, in favour of his party, People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka.

    The group, in a press statement made available to The Nation on Friday, said it has uncovered a voters’ card data capturing process at the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Ekiti State Command Headquarters, in Oke Ila area of Ado-Ekiti, and Fajuyi mini pavilion.

    The EWF in a statement by its Coordinator, Mike Bamidele, maintained that the Ekiti Command of the PCN was acting on an agreement it had with Fayose to collate, according to the Wards, Polling Units, the VIN and serial numbers on the voter’s cards belonging to members of the Corps.

    The group said the alleged action was aimed at cloning the cards and doubling the votes counted during the governorship election, for the PDP candidate to emerge victorious at the poll.

    It claimed, that, Fayose had also requested for the bank details of the PCN members who have already submitted their PVCs for purported data capturing, with a promise to give each PCN member, N10,000 a day to the election, through bank alert.

    “We advise the Ekiti State Command of the Peace Corps of Nigeria to steer clear of Fayose’s political antics ahead of July 14 governorship poll and not be party to any activity that could denigrate the good public image of the organisation,” the group saidDenying the alleged rigging plot, the Commissioner for Information, Lanre Ogunsuyi, described the allegation as a figment of the group’s imagination.

    Ogunsuyi said: “This is a figment of their imagination, all parties are busy mobilizing and training their supporters, party agents and enlightening the electorate ahead of the election.

    “No worker has submitted his card for any pecuniary gain and no cloning of cards is going on as alleged.”

    Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Kayode Fayemi, has warned Governor Fayose against illegal collection of workers’ voters cards through coercion, saying “voters have inalienable right to vote for candidate of their choice.”

    A statement by Director, Media and Publicity of the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Wole Olujobi, urged Fayose to stop alleged criminal and unauthorised  collection of teachers and workers’ PVC numbers.

    Fayemi said workers should be allowed to cast their votes for their preferred candidates in the coming election without any fear of intimidation by the government or its officials.

     

  • Sack of 568 Deltaline workers insensitive-Delta APC

    The Delta state chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has described the approval of the sack of 568 employees of the Delta Line Transport Service Limited by the state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, as a mark of the administration’s insensitivity.
    The party, in press statement issued on Friday and signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Mr Moses Kamanya, said it was sad to note that while other progressive governors were initiating people-oriented projects and engaging all other activities that will better the lots of their citizens, Governor Okowa is throwing Deltans into already saturated unemployment market.
    It stated further that while Deltans were complaining of the ways and manner their collective heritage were auctioned out to political allies, who sponsored the governor’s election in 2015 for a mere N161million , for an equity, another investor bidded for over N2billion, they are shocked to learn that 568 breadwinners have been thrown into uncertainty.
    “Our independent investigation has shown the management of God Is Good Motors (GIGM), who bought 70 percent stake of the company from Delta state government, at a rip-off price of N161m , has not invested a kobo since taking over.
    “Like every actions of the PDP led government since 1999 which has always been anti-Deltans, if not how do you explain why a government will throw its citizens into untold hardship in the alter of political exigencies?
     “Today the information out there is that, the new management has started recruiting non-Deltans employees from Anambra and Imo states at the expense of Deltans who laboured for the transport company for years, so whose interest is Okowa serving?
    “We sympathizing with the affected families over this unjust action of the PDP led government in Delta state and we want Deltans to see this as a wakeup call to vote out this insensitive and clueless government come 2019 and take back our state and common wealth from these rabble rousers that has held the state hostage”, APC said.

  • Fayemi slams Fayose for owing Ekiti monarchs, workers

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has promised to end the suffering the residents have been experiencing under Governor Ayo Fayose’s administration.

    Fayemi accused Fayose of inflicting hardship on various segments of the population, including workers, pupils, parents, business owners and traditional rulers.

    He noted that apart from workers, who are owed salary arrears of between five and nine months, Fayose is also allegedly owing traditional rulers five months of unpaid allowances.

    Fayemi also slammed the governor for refusing to disclose the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) since assuming office in 2014.

    The APC candidate spoke during a special interview programme on Sunday night on Voice 89.9 FM.

    He said Fayose had no excuse to owe workers, adding that N253 billion had accrued to Ekiti State treasury under the outgoing governor, besides other financial reliefs from the APC-led Federal Government.

    A vote for the APC ticket, he said, is a vote for commitment to positive transformation of Ekiti State, experience in good governance and connection with Abuja to influence matters in favour of the state and its people.

    Fayemi promised to expand the scope of his Eight-Point Agenda to launch Ekiti on the path of development.

    The former Minister of Mines and Steel development regretted that the state had retrogressed under Fayose’s watch as the governor allegedly discarded human development policies of the preceding government.

    He also regretted that Fayose allegedly played politics and denied Ekiti the opportunity of accessing funds meant for rice production by the Federal Government, despite the fact that an Ekiti indigene his (Fayemi’s) former Commissioner, Mr. Jide Arowosafe, is in charge of the Anchor Borrowers Scheme.

    Fayemi noted that other states, like Kebbi, Jigawa and Ogun, had benefited from the scheme, while Ekiti would have used the funds to develop rice production in Igbemo-Ekiti and other rice belts in the state.

    The APC flag bearer also debunked the allegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration in the state that he is seeking a return to power to get back at the workers.

    The former minister said he is on a rescue mission and not on vengeance mission against anybody.

    Fayemi said: “On what basis should I come on a vengeance mission? Nobody has offended me. The secret of June 21, 2014 is quite open to us all. We all know of Capt. Koli, Koro (Musliu Obanikoro) and few others.”

    Criticising Fayose for alleged implementing anti-people policies, Fayemi said: “You refused to pay teachers for 10 months but you are saying: ‘We may not pay your salaries, but the man coming wants to sack you.’

    “During Fayemi’s (first) administration, no final year secondary school student paid West African Examinations Council (WAEC), National Examinations Council (NECO), National Board for Technical Education (NABTEB) and the Joint Admission and Matriculations Board (JAMB) fees. But now, pupils from primary to secondary school (SS) three are paying taxes.

    “He called teachers to the Government House sometime ago and a woman among them told him the truth. My government didn’t charge any pupil or student a dime.

    “We ran a qualitative, free and functional education while I was the governor. Pupils now pay tax, pay for SSCE; there are no more free JAMB forms. Ekiti now has the lowest enrolment in education in the Southwest as it is today; which is strange to us all.

    “We didn’t owe workers monthly salary except for September 2014 and this was because the (then) incoming government approached our financial institutions and opted to halt our arrangements.

    “We had regular training and re-training for workers in Ekiti. We paid core subject allowances, rural allowances to teachers and car loans as well as housing loans to our workers.

    “I heard that all I did for Obas have been stopped; in fact, our Obas are owed five months’ salary. Did all these happen when I was in government?”

    Fayemi added that Fayose’s alleged harsh and unfriendly policies had driven investors away with many businesses closing down.

    The governor’s actions, the PAC candidate said, had led to loss of jobs.

    He added: “Our administration revived Ire Burnt Bricks Industry and brought back Ikogosi Warm Spring. Enterprise grew in Ekiti during my time. When I came in, the only two prominent hotels were Pathfinder and Fountain and there was a deluge of people coming in.

    “I spoke with all these people and they brought their investment here. But when I left, they all regretted. Today, GTB is gone; Coca-Cola is gone; Ire Burnt Bricks is struggling and Gossy Water is dead because Fayose’s government is anti-investment.

    “IGR rose to N600 million before I left office as we declared what came in monthly. But no one has heard of Ekiti IGR since I left.”

  • Fayose orders HOS to issue promotion letters to 45,000 workers in one week

    The Ekiti State Head of Service, (HOS), Dr. Gbenga Faseluka, has been given one week  to distribute promotion letters to the over 45,000 civil servants who recently sat for qualifying interview and passed. Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti gave the one-week ultimatum yesterday to Faseluka in Ado Ekiti. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the governor gave the order at a news conference in Ado Ekiti.

    He also said that his administration was set to fulfil an earlier promise of employing over 2,000 new hands into the state public service. He said he would personally supervise and monitor the process of recruiting the new workers, so as to guide against any form of favouritism. Fayose said that those to be employed would cut across all the 16 local government areas of the state without applying political or religious attachment.

    “In my administration, the people of Ekiti know my style. You do not need to know the governor, a big man or any member of his cabinet before you get what is due to you. Once you are tested and deemed to be qualified, you will be taken without the so-called connection that is the norm in most places,” he said. The governor, however, alleged that certain persons and political parties were attempting to buy no less than 200,000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) yet to be collected by their legitimate owners.

    He alleged that if they succeed, they would use them to rig next month’s gubernatorial election coming up on July 14. The governor appealed to those who registered but had not collected their PVCs to go for them to prevent any form of rigging. However, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state, Mr Taiwo Gbadegesin, denied the allegation.

     

  • Lagos needs workers for success

    Balancing competing interests, judicious allocation of re-sources, and the increase of productivity are often the major challenges that confront the management of any organisation, whether it’s a full-fledged commercial entity or a governmental outfit such as the Lagos State Civil Service, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said.

    The Governor, who was represented by Commissioner for Establishments, Training, and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson at a training session for workers entitled: “Strategic planning in Lagos State Civil Service: An essential piece in a Jigsaw puzzle in Lagos”, said to achieve the equilibrium managers will need to define organisational objectives, itemise, rank and evaluate its resources, and adopt an approach to allocating the resources to meet the stated objectives.

    According to him, the training and retraining of the state civil servants have remained the special focus of his administration as a result of all these.

    He said those who have carefully followed the programmes in the Governor’s administration for the state civil service will rightly identify the training as critical to realising an essential piece in the jigsaw of organisational productivity.

    He said: “Since his assumption of office in 2015, the Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration has exposed Lagos State civil servants to a number of workshops designed to increase, and in some cases, deepen the soft skills essential for success in a 21st Century public service. These include soft skills such as office etiquettes, communications skills, office relationship skills, emotional intelligence skills, and problem-solving skills, among others.

    “The Ambode’s administration also identified the ministries, departments, and agencies where core new hard skills were needed and initiated training and workshops required to augment skills and knowledge in these ministries, departments, and agencies. Furthermore, the adminis-tration’s strategy for retooling the state civil service led to the exposure of a number of officers and officials to international trainings for the purpose of obtaining the comparative knowledge that will stand them in good stead to aspire to global best practices while pursuing the state objective.

    “It is necessary to emphasise and teach the values and benefits of strategic planning. It is precisely so because strategic planning is the essential piece in the puzzle to institu-tionalise the framework for productivity in the state civil service.’’

    While all the foregoing interventions were aimed at ultimately promoting productivity, it is apparent that strategic planning is the glue that holds them all together, it is the essential piece in the jigsaw puzzle.

    He reiterated the benefits of strategic planning to organisations and to give an overview of the best practices for the development and implementation of a strategic plan for institutions such as the Lagos State Civil Service.

    He pointed out that strategic planning allows organisations to be proactive rather than reactive.

    “A strategic plan allows organisations to foresee their future and to prepare accordingly. Through strategic planning, organisations can anticipate certain unfavourable scenarios before they happen and take necessary precautions to avoid them. With a strong strategic plan, organizations can be proactive rather than merely reacting to situations as they arise. Being proactive allows organizations to keep up with the ever-changing trends in the society and always stay one step ahead of the competition”, he added.

  • PenCom prepares workers for 2019 retirement

    The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has begun to prepare prospective retirees, who will be retiring next year from the public service, Acting Director-General, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs Aisha Dahir-Umar has said.

    She made this known in her opening remarks at the pre-retirement workshop for Federal Government retirees due to retire in 201 under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS)

    The Commission, she revealed,  has, however, finalised arrangements to commence the verification of prospective retirees from June 25, to August 17, 2018 in 15 centres across the country.

    According to her, the pre-retirement workshop was part of their annual regulatory activities. “The verification exercise is scheduled to be undertaken The impending exercise, therefore, necessitated the need to undertake adequate sensitisation and public enlightenment in order to prepare prospective retirees on the steps to take towards a hitch-free retirement life.

    “We consider contributors, who are about to join the CPS retirees as very important stakeholders. One of the salient objectives of the Pension Reform Act (PRA 2014) is to make pension administration under the CPS transparent and seamless,

    “Accordingly, the Commission has established uniform set of rules, regulations and standards for all aspects of pension administration, including payment of retirement benefits to retirees. This was achieved through the issuance of the regulations on administration of retirement and terminal benefits; regulation on retire life annuity; the frameworks on pension enhancement & programmed withdrawals; and the circular on voluntary contributions among others.

    Papers presented  included enrolment exercise and documentation requirements, accessing retirement and terminal benefits under the CPS and Life after retirement. She expressed hope that the workshop would educate pension participants on what they need to know on documentation requirements, payment of retirement benefits and life after retirement.

     

  • Workers like no other

    It gives me great pleasure to be at this unique occasion, a special event on a special day to celebrate and honour workers.

    Today’s event is more special in that it will be the last our administration will be celebrating with the workers in the state. However, goodbye is a hated word. Where we are stopping, our successor, who, we pray, will also come from among us, will continue to relate well with workers, by the grace of God.

    Going down memory lane, May 1 of every year is an important day set aside to commemorate the Chicago incident of May 4, 1886. That was the horrible day law enforcement agents attempted to violently put down a protest by workers demanding for an eight-hour working day which led to a rowdy situation during which a bomb was hauled at the police. Eight people lost their lives with many injured at the Haymarket Park venue of the rally. Seven radical Labour activists were later sentenced to death with four executed, one committed suicide and the rest served various terms in prison. It was in commemoration of this very ugly incident that international Labour movement set aside this day to celebrate WORKERS worldwide.

    In many parts of the world, industrial relations is still far from being cordial as workers still experience one form of injustice or another. You will agree with me, however, that workers have since gone past the Industrial Revolution era characterisation as providers of labour who rely on their brawn in the enterprise equation. Today, the concept that everybody is trying to adapt to is the worker as ‘stakeholder and joint owner’ in any enterprise or organisation.

    Indeed, that is what it should be. Without workers, there can be no government. While it is possible in an efficient and well primed system for the government to function without the political functionaries, it is inconceivable that any government can function without workers. You will recall that for more than two years, due to dire financial constraints, I could not form my cabinet, but the government ran smoothly, because the civil service was capable and efficient.

    Indeed, workers are the greatest asset of any people. Incontrovertible is the fact that workers are the most viable instrument for ensuring a successful execution of government’s policies and programmes on security, education, environment, health, transport, agriculture, and employment generation, among many others. For this and many more, we appreciate our workers.

    I will therefore like to thank all the workers in Osun for their support, steadfastness, sacrifice and unwavering loyalty these past seven years. The workers have been our cutting edge instrument of governance and service delivery. Our infrastructure and human development programmes have been hugely successful because of the workers through their sacrifice, endurance and commitment.

    I implore you also to extend the same courtesy to our successor. The saying is apt here that government goes and comes but the civil service remains. The only permanent government structure is the civil service that enjoys a permanent tenure.

    I urge you therefore to support the government, but more importantly, be committed to the principles of anonymity, impartiality and patriotism. Let honesty, dedication and commitment to the objectives of governance be your watchword. You are civil servants which means your duty is to serve the people.

    As we all know, the tragedy of financial tsunami that befell our nation hampered us from doing as much as we would have loved for our workers. We however did our best, as the situation will permit.

    As you are all aware, we have committed more than 80 per cent of the resources of the state to paying salaries, pensions, gratuities and other emoluments of workers. When we came, the monthly wage bill in the state was N1.3billion, but by the time we embarked on modulated salaries, it had risen to N3.6 billion, largely on account of the doubling of minimum wage from N9,000 to N18,000. Monthly pension payment also increased from N250 million to N500 million. Quite paradoxically, our monthly revenue fell from the peak of N5 billion to less than N1 billion and even negative allocation in some months.

    But we have exerted ourselves to satisfy workers and ensure every worker gets something at the end of the month. This informed our painful decision to pay modulated salaries to the top echelon of the civil service and political appointees.

    Nevertheless, we have recorded many milestones this year. First, we commissioned the ultra modern, newly constructed road from Orita Olaiya to Ita Olokan and named it Workers Drive to honour, to appreciate and celebrate our hard working workers.

    Our administration has also lifted the cap on career progression for all workers in the state, especially teachers, who now have opportunity to rise to the apex of service. Consequently, we have appointed nine teachers as Headmasters-General to oversee the Elementary and Middle Schools in each of the nine Federal Constituencies in the state, just as we appointed three Tutors- General to superintend the High Schools in the three Senatorial Districts in Osun.

    We have also commissioned a lake resort at the Osogbo secretariat, named after Mrs Oluwakemi Olufunke Kolawole, who was slain last year on her way to Abuja. This is to immortalise her and honour her good memory as a dutiful, dedicated, efficient and loyal public servant.

    The brakes have now been lifted from promotion and career progression as we speak. Workers will now be confirmed, converted, promoted and moved to the next level as and when due.

    We have also made huge sums available to pay the gratuities of workers, including those on contributory pension scheme, many of whom have since obtained their bond certificate.

    The agitation has been rife to increase the minimum wage of workers and negotiation is ongoing in determining what should be the benchmark. I support the demand of workers for good condition of service and improvement in their living condition. However, the solution lies in improved productivity and wealth creation, not just in asking for and getting any amount we want, using the power of collective bargaining and industrial action. The only way we can sustain the government, pay workers and satisfy the larger population is by being productive. Each person must have a surplus from his or her productive effort over consumption. Part of this surplus must go to the government as taxes, levies and rates. The entire workforce of the government must be run as a successful business enterprise in which income is more than expenditure.

    No amount should be considered too much to pay if the system can generate it. If we are making enough money to pay workers N100,000 minimum wage, so be it. But we must first be in a position to make the money and have more income than expenditure. This requires that we ask for a realistic amount that our current effort can sustain and then strive to generate the money before we can spend it.

    What we have been doing in the past is to spend money we did not earn. We receive money from Abuja every month that we don’t know where it comes from. We spend money because it available, not because we have the capacity to work for it. Nowhere is this ever done without dire consequences.

    Now that the bubble has burst and the free money is no longer available, it has been very difficult to pay. It is of utmost importance therefore that we look inwards, use our talents and creativity to improve our revenue base. It is only the money that is available that can be spent. Our nation has the least GDP to internally generated revenue ratio in the world. This must change in our bid to create wealth and improve the living condition of our people.

     

    • Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Osun Governor, gave thisremarks in Osogbo at the 2018 Workers Day

     

  • May Day: Workers intensify push for living wage

    Workers yesterday trooped out in large numbers to mark the International Labour Day known in local parlance as May Day. TONY AKOWE (ABUJA), OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE (ABAKALIKI), ERNEST NWOKOLO (ABEOKUTA) and KOLADE ADEYEMI (KANO) report that the demand for a living wage was the singsong nationwide.

    The demand for a new national minimum wage echoed nationwide yesterday as organised Labour mobilised workers to celebrate the International Labour Day popularly known as May Day.

    From Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to the nation’s industrial hub in Lagos; to Abakaliki in the Southeast; the North’s political headquarters in Kano. Ado-Ekiti in the Southwest and Calabar in the Southsouth, it was the same song all through. The workers, under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) renewed their clamour for a living wage.

    A 30-member tripartite committee under the chairmanship of former Head of Service of the Federation Ms. Ama Pepple is reviewing the minimum wage.

    President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to implement the panel’s recommendation, billed for submission in the third quarter of the year.

    The workers’ umbrella unions are demanding N66,500 as minimum wage.

     

    Fed Govt’s commitment

    unequivocal, says Ngige

     

    Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige restated President Muhammadu Buhari’s unequivocal commitment to the enhancement of workers’ welfare and prosperity for all citizens.

    Appealing to the workers to support the government, Dr. Ngige assured them of better days ahead.

    In his goodwill message, the minister recalled the historic role of the workforce over times and urged it to further stand firm with the President in his efforts to return Nigeria to the path of greatness.

    Ngige said: “The cardinal objective of the present administration is the revival of the economy; enhancement of the security of the nation and zero tolerance for corruption. The Federal Government has so far covered a considerable millage notwithstanding teething challenges. I therefore solicit your continued support towards bringing these national goals to fruition.”

    He urged the workers to use the occasion of the May Day to reminisce on the positive outcomes of the labour’s struggle for a better working rights and decent work environment.

    The minister said: “This is an administration that places a lot of premium on the welfare of workers and all citizenry and has done so in very transparent manner. Our openness is to provide enough windows for all Nigerians to appreciate the state of the nation and the efforts of the government.

    “Our modest achievement in creating equable condition for job security and improved welfare for workers, as evident in the fact that no federal civil or public servant has lost his or her job in the last three years of the administration despite economic downturn, as well as the on-going effort to give effect to a new national minimum wage easily bear out the government’s commitment to the upliftment of the workforce.

    “This year’s celebration therefore presents an opportunity for a collective reflection on the contributions of the labour movement to national growth on the one hand and the steadfastness of the Buhari administration to the welfare of workers on the other.”

     

    Ambode: Govt/labour

    harmony good for development

     

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode commended the workers’ unions for the uninterrupted and industrial harmony that his administration has enjoyed since he assumed office.

    Speaking at the workers’ rally at the Agege Stadium, Ambode attributed the industrial harmony and peace to the maturity and responsibility of the labour unions, applaudind them for adopting alternative dispute resolution mechanisms rather than resort to industrial actions.

    The governor said: “It is on record that we have never, since the inception of this administration, had any dispute with the organised labour and I will be the first to admit that the labour unions in the state have been most responsible and while, at the same time, being dogged in their advocacy for the promotion of the interests of workers in Lagos State, both in the public and private sector groups.

    “In proof of the maturity and responsibility of the labour unions in our State, the organised labour has consistently met with members of our administration under different fora designed to identify and address possible areas of tension and disagreement before they fester into open conflicts.

    “This approach has resulted in an unprecedented three-year period of uninterrupted industrial harmony and peace in Lagos State. For this, I most sincerely commend the labour unions in Lagos State.”

    In their remarks, chairmen of the Lagos chapters of the NLC and TUC, Idowu Adelakun and Francis Ogunremi, commended the governor Ambode for his massive infrastructural drive across the state, security of lives and property, as well as prompt and regular payment of salary among other welfare for workers in the State.

    Adelakun said: “The governor must be commended for prompt and regular disbursement of salary to workers in Lagos State. The State Government is not indebted to her workers. Today, Lagos is a big construction site, courtesy of our progressive and development-oriented and people’s governor.”

    Ogunremi said it was gratifying that Ambode has ensured payment of about N10 billion to over 2,500 pensioners, while the present administration had equally performed well in the areas of road construction, security and traffic congestion, among others.

    The TUC chief said: “Your Excellency, your listening hears to the concerns of workers and the labour centres as representatives of the workers, is quite commendable. During this time last year, the two labour centres requested the governor to replace the secretariat buses for smooth running of the unions in the state.

    “Today, I make bold to inform that both TUC and LUC including all affiliate unions in public service have been presented operational buses.”

     

    ‘Nigerian workers courageous’

     

    Lagos State Speaker Mudashiru Obasa commended the workers for their diligence and commitment to duty, assuring that their welfare would be enhanced by the government at all levels.

    Obasa’s assurance was contained in his May Day address according to a statement by his media aide, Mr. Musbau Rasak.

    In the statement, the speaker was quoted as assuring the workers that the All Progressives Congress (APC) at all levels has concluded plans to initiate and implement programmes and policies that will not only improve their standard of living but also enhance their wellbeing.

    The statement reads: “The Nigerian workers are marvellous. I, on behalf of my colleagues in the Lagos State House of Assembly, salute your diligence and commitment to your duty and we are also appreciative of the courageous way you perform your duty. Indeed, your courage and diligence are attributes that have made you compete favourable and positively with your counterparts anywhere in the world.

    “I want to assure you that the APC government at all levels will continue to put in place policies that will enhance your welfare and improve your standard of living.”

    He, however, urged the workers in particular and Nigerians in general, against relenting in their support for the government.

    “We need your understanding, cooperation, support and prayers all the time and we will not relent in seeking for all these from you. On behalf of the honourable members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, I wish you all a happy May Day celebration,” he said.

     

    Falana: It’s time to defend

    welfare laws, democratic rights

     

    Activist-lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana urged the labour leadership to defend the welfare laws and democratic rights of the workers.

    He said the demand for it view of the depreciating quality of life for a new minimum wage by Nigerian workers was long overdue in view of what he caused “gross mismanagement of the Nigerian economy by the ruling class with the connivance of imperialism”.

    Falana urged the various labour unions to take advantage of this year’s May Day celebration to adopt concrete measures that will compel the federal, state and local governments to implement all extant welfare laws and policies.

    The senior advocate identified the extant welfare laws and policies as the products of the collective struggle of the labour movement and other progressive forces in the country.

    He listed the National Minimum Wage Act,  National Health Act,  National Health Insurance Act, National Housing Act, Federal Morgage Act, Pension Reforms Act, Compulsory, Free and Universal Basic Education Act, Nigerian Education Bank Act and People’s Bank Act as some of the welfare laws.

    According to him, the deliberate policy of successive governments to breach the provisions of the welfare laws was compounding the crisis of youth unemployment and mass poverty.

    He said: In fact, the criminal diversion of public funds earmarked for social services by unscrupulous public officers has accentuated official corruption which has continued to expose the country to global ridicule.

    “For instance, the inadequate funds budgeted for the provision of education and health, have been diverted by a few public officers and contractors. While public schools and hospitals are underfunded, public officers are allowed to receive medical treatment in foreign medical centres while workers and other poor people die cheaply in all the ill-equpped  public hospitals in Nigeria.

    “Similarly, top public officers also educate their children and wards in expensive local and foreign educational institutions while the children and wards of workers are forced to attend abandoned public schools in the country.”

     

    Ebonyi: I’ll pay new

    wage, Umahi promises

     

    In Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, Governor David Umahi promised better pay rise for civil servants on the government’s payroll. He assured that his administration will pay the proposed new national minimum wage when fully implemented by the federal government.

    Addressing a crowd of workers in the state at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, Umahi recalled that workers welfare was atop his campaign promises, reassuring on his commitment to the implementation of policies that would improve the workers’ welfare.

    He disclosed that outstanding pensions and gratuities owed workers since the creation of the state would be paid on or before the May 15.

    The governor gave a directive to all relevant ministries to work out the new promotion entitlements and ensure that they reflect in the salaries of the newly prompted workers on or before the middle of the month when salaries are usually paid.

    Umahi said: “May I also assure you that Ebonyi state shall adopt proposed new national minimum wage when approved and that we shall do in keeping with our promise which we made to the workers that we shall treasure their support and repay them for their support.

    “Our administration has in keeping with the mandate of exterminating poverty out of our land and from the civil servants has secured a loan of N4 billion from the Bank of Industry (BoI) with a single digit interest for our workers to access and engage themselves meaningfully in agricultural programme that will have serious impact in their economic standing.

    “We have also organised the first-ever agricultural summit for our civil servants to get them acquainted with our new programme of returning back to agriculture as the main stay of our economy in the face of the dwindling oil price.

    “Our state have had our own share of the challenges arising primarily from the dwindling allocation from the federal government due to the oil downfall but we have kept hope alive and have taken the welfare of our workers as the topmost priority and this includes, payment of their salaries and other entitlements even in the face of the above challenges.”

    The local chapter Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Leonard Nkah, described this year workers’ day as the best and memorable since the creation of the state, adding that the governor has met the needs of the workers.

     

    Ogun:  We’ll pay what is

    within our ability, says Amosun

     

    The civil servant in Ogun State demanded for a “living” wage, saying that N18, 000 as the minimum monthly could no longer address their basic needs.

    They urged the Federal Government to expedite action towards approving the proposed N66, 500 new minimum wage proposed by the NLC.

    But, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who restated his administration’s genuine concern for the workers’ welfare, said the state will only pay wages and salaries within its financial capability.

    The state chairman of the NLC, Akeem Ambali, who made the position of the workers known at the celebration of this year edition of the May Day at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, also called on the governor to offset gratuity of retirees before leaving office on May 29, next year.

    Ambali, whose speech was delivered by Dare Ilekoya appealed to Amosun to recall the dismissed labour leaders in the state, including himself.

    Ambali said: “It is painful and regrettable to recall that the NLC chairman had not received salaries in the last 19 months of his travail.

    He said: “We therefore join our leaders across the country to plead for your (governor’s) forgiveness and normalise labour-government relationship.”

    Also speaking, the local Chairman of the TUC, Olubunmi Fajobi, urged the state government to restore monthly payment of running cost to agencies and public schools in the state.

    Fajobi said this would ensure proper management of the institutions.

    He said: “When running cost is restored to agencies and public schools in the state, these institutions will experience proper management and fast development which will in turn result in the development of the state.

    “In most of the field offices, public servants levy themselves to pay for electricity bills in order to avoid disconnection and buy papers to generate reports to the Headquarters,” Fajobi said.

    Represented by his deputy Princess Yetunde Onanuga, Amosun reiterated his administration’s commitment to the workers’, saying that workers would be promoted as and when due with benefits.

    He, however, added that the government would only pay minimum wage the finances of the state could carry.

    The governor said: “Let me also note that we are back in the season of minimum wage negotiation. Employers can only pay according to their ability – Ability is dependent on Workers’ productivity.

    “Productivity flows from capacity. It is clearly simple logic that capacity development is the fundamental platform for workers’ reward and general welfare. Any other approach is putting the cart before the horse.

    “A higher minimum wage without corresponding fiscal capacity of the employer remains an academic exercise. It is my wish that the energy and passion that fuel the agitation for minimum wage could be channelled into productivity matters of capacity development.”

     

    ‘Workers are key drivers

    of development’

     

    In its message, the All Progressives Congress (APC) extended good wishes and greetings to the workers in celebrating this year’s International Workers Day.

    A statement by the party’s national spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, reads: “Unarguably, the Nigerian worker remain one of the most dedicated, resilient and hardworking in the world. They remain a key driver of the country’s multi-facet development.

    “Despite challenges particularly on the economy, we celebrate Nigerian workers for staying positive and being a partner in nation-building as well as contributing towards efforts to take the country to its deserved heights.

    “While we felicitate with the various workers unions in the country on the occasion of the International Workers Day celebration, we call on labour and trade unions in the country to continue ongoing dialogue with the government aimed at improving workers’ salaries and general welfare.”

     

    Anambra: we’re banking on

    improved resources

     

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano assured that his administration would lift the workers’ conditions of service when the resources of the state improve.

    In an address in Awka, the state capital, Obiano, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, affirmed that his administration places high premium on workers’ welfare.

    He said that showed in the establishment of a committee on labour matters to review the numerous workers’ demands to guide his government in addressing them.

    Throwing light on the committee’s terms of reference, the governor said the panel was designed to address the lingering labour issues, including an upward review in salaries and pensions, review of responsibility and hazard allowances for specific categories of workers, increment of retirement age for Nwafor Orizu College of Education staff, distribution of vehicles to directors and commencement of the contributory pensions scheme, among others.

    Assuring that his administration had developed a comprehensive welfare package for the workers in his domain, Obiano regretted that lack of funds had stalled the implementation of his plans. He promised that as the state’s resources improve, the plan would be implemented.

    He, however, revealed that promotion for all workers had been updated for 2016, while approval has been obtained for that of 2017.

    The NLC Chairman in the state, Jerry Nubia, expressed the hope that the governor would avail the opportunity of his second term to improve his members’ welfare to reward their massive support to him during the last governorship election.

    He identified the implementation of the minimum wage, non-payment of arrears of gratuity owed retired local government employees and primary school teachers since 2015, disparity in salary structure of the state and council workers, training needs of workers and low cost housing, among others, as issues for remedial measures.

    Nubia’s TUC counterpart, Ifeanyi Okechukwu, urged the government to depoliticise the minimum wage issue, even as he commended the release of the N200 million owed by the state to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) since 2010 to kick-start the construction of the Isiagu Housing Scheme.

     

    Kano: Ganduje backs

    workers’ agitation

     

    The Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje threw his weight behind the ongoing agitation by the NLC for an increment on the N18, 000 minimum wage, describing it as legitimate.

    Ganduje, who spoke during the May Day celebration at Sani Abacha Stadium, said his administration’s has submitted a memo/position to the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage constituted by the presidency in support of pay rise for the workers’.

    The governor said: “Mindful of the persistent agitation by the organized labour/NLC for the review of the current national minimum wage of N18, 000, which we, indeed, believe is legitimate, arising from our deep concern for workers’ welfare, and cognizance of the inconvenient truth that the existing workers earnings, especially, those at the lower segment is no longer realistic.

    “The Kano State government has already submitted a memo/position paper to the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum wage constituted by the presidency supporting the salary increase of the national minimum wage of workers.”

    Ganduje implored the various organised labour unions to be guided by the actual financial situation of the states which he said is generally precarious.

    According to him, “your peculiarities while pursuing your demands should be reasonable, affordable, and implementable consensus that could be reached at the end of the negotiations.”

    He, therefore, hinted that his administration has settled the outstanding payments of pensioners in the state from 2015 to date with the total sum of N12 billion, adding that, he would continue to encourage workers for the overall development of the state.

    The NLC Chairman in the state, Kabiru Ado Minjibir, hailed Ganduje for his labour-friendly disposition to workers, adding that, “we have observed with a unique sense of responsibility, the rare commitment you have exhibited in the conduct of the affairs of this state.

    He said: “Our strategy of adopting the principles of dialogue and constructive engagement with the state government, has also resulted in the steady payment of salary, which is the primary right of the workers in the state.

    “To guarantee the comfort of the worker after retirement, the Congress has successfully pursued the approval of our N4 billion by His Excellency from the Paris Club Refund that was received by the state government.

    “Out of which N2.5 billion have been released and paid to the beneficiaries accordingly. We want use this opportunity to strongly call on His Excellency to kindly direct for the release of the balance of N1.5 billion to continue with the payment.”