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Tag: workers

  • Wike: workers ‘ve failed by not showing concern about insecurity

    RIVERS State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike yesterday accused labour of failure by refusing to act in the face of killings in some parts of the country.

    The governor said it was uncharitable for labour to be only concerned about salary increment when their  kith and kin were being killed daily.

    In an address during the 2018 Workers Day in Port Harcourt, Wike said: “Labour is only after the increment of wages and emoluments without showing concern for the mass killings going on across different states of the federation.

    “Labour is quiet in the face of deaths. Of what benefit will increment of  salaries be when all your children, friends and relatives are killed in the course of this national insecurity?  It is incumbent on labour to rise up in defence of Nigerians by demanding for immediate cessation of killings.”

    The governor said labour has a duty to work towards the progress of Nigeria as they  battle for their welfare.

    He added that labour must rekindle their pre-2015 posture when they participated  in occupy Nigeria during the Jonathan era.

    The governor urged labour to defend the nation’s democracy,  which, he said, is under threat by the alleged failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-Federal Government to respect the rule of law and democratic tenets.

    He said the state was investing in building a strong economy that would enable workers earn decent wages, empower entrepreneurs to create jobs and provide improved livelihood opportunities for Rivers people.

    He said: “We have  approved an interest-free revolving loan scheme for civil servants. The annual sum earmarked for this programme is N1, 200,000,000 only, with a monthly disbursement of N100, 000,000.00 only.

    “We have also approved another interest-free loan for owners of small businesses to access to enhance their businesses, create jobs and grow the economy. An annual sum of N2, 400,000,000.00 only has been set-aside for this purpose with a monthly disbursement of N200, 000,000.00 only.”

    The governor said his administration was already working to fix some of the subsisting challenges, including the contributory pension scheme, the contributory health insurance scheme and the payment of gratuities to retired civil servants.

     

     

  • Workers endorse Ayade for second term

    THE  organised labour in Cross River State yesterday endorsed Governor Ben Ayade for a second term in office.

    The endorsement was made known by the state Chairman of the NLC, John Ushie, in his address to mark the 2018 May Day celebration at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar, the state capital.

    It came on the heels of the payment of May salaries to the state’s workers on the eve of this year’s workers’ day celebration.

    Since the inception of the administration, workers have always received their salaries in advance.

    Ushie told the gathering that the decision of the organised labour to endorse the governor has to do with his impressive performance in office since assuming the reins of leadership in the state.

    He said: “In view of what you have done so far in Cross River State since your assumption of office on May 29, 2015 in the area of socio-economic, political and manpower development as attested by many, and in view of your workers friendly posture, we the workers of Cross River State have viewed critically the options open to us and our future, and have agreed on this day to massively support your second term in office.

    “Indeed, as a new minimum wage is being proposed, we know that only you can and have the capacity to pay us our salaries without fail. We therefore urge you to bid for a second term in office come 2019 general election.”

    The TUC Chairman in the state, Clerks Out, lauded the governor for providing employment opportunities to residents through the construction of the garment factory, the Calabar pharmaceutical factory, Cocoa processing plant in Ikom, the ultramodern rice mill in Ogoja as well as the Rice seedlings center and several other industries.

    Ayade said he was humbled by his adoption for the 2019 elections by the organised labour.

    He promised to continue to give priority to the welfare of the citizenry over every other consideration.

    The governor said: “I want to thank you all as workers of Cross River State for finding it necessary to honour me in a day of this nature. This honour is a commitment. It is a challenge and responsibility on my part to do even more.

    “Therefore, your choice of my adoption come 2019 is a clear testimonial that that my philosophy, my focus on the stomach, that I must put food on the table, has worked.

    “The only thing I owe society and God is to ensure that these people, who have been standing under the sun, who have made the choice of reaffirming their commitment to me in 2019 is that at the fullest of time, you will be happy you did.”

  • Workers to FG: Prioritise review of minimum wage

    A cross section of workers in Abuja has called on the Federal Government to prioritize the upward review of the national minimum wage, to promote productivity and national growth.

    The workers made the call in separate interviews with our reporters on Tuesday in Abuja, on the sideline of activities to commemorate the 2018 Workers Day.

    May Day or Labour Day is observed as public holiday in many countries worldwide, including Nigeria, in celebration of workers.

    They said that the call for the government to prioritise the minimum wage review had become necessary because of the delay in the implementation of the new minimum wage.

    A worker, Mr Sunday Onojah, said that the national minimum wage law prohibited employers to hire workers for less than a given hourly, daily or monthly take home pay.

    Onojah, a staff of the Ministry of Trade and Investment, said that workers would be grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari, if he fulfilled his promise on the issue of minimum wage.

    According to Onojah, if the president can consider workers’ plights and ensure upward review of the minimum wage, it will go a long way to ameliorate the suffering of workers.

    “If that is done, we will be very grateful to him and continue to pray for him.”

    A female worker, who pleaded anonymity, urged the government to harmonise workers take home pay, to ensure equal opportunity for them across the country.

    “I want the government to pay us what it pays staff of the National Assembly (NASS) because they are not using their own money,” she said.

    Similarly, Mr Christian Ojabo urged the government to honour its promise to implement a new minimum wage by September, to boost productivity in the work place.

    He said the N18, 000 minimum wage was long overdue for review and urged the government to act promptly to improve the economic well-being of workers.

    Ojabo urged the government to keep to its promise and ensure prompt review before the end of the year.

    “We will be very happy if that is done, because it will reduce our sufferings with the lingering economic and domestic challenges.”

    Also, Mr Ibahim Olatunji commended the government for agreeing to pay a new minimum wage, but advised that concrete steps should be taken to achieve the target.

    He said that although the government had promised to review the national minimum wage by the third quarter of the year, it should put measures in place to ensure effective implementation and curb inflation.

    According to Olatunji, the government needs to do the needful, since the agreement was that every five years the minimum wage will be reviewed.

    “It is over five years since the minimum wage was reviewed to N18, 000, therefore, if workers are asking for upward review, the government should not drag feet, but implement the policy.”

    Also speaking,  Mr Abdulwaheed Omar, a former President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), urged the government to always implement the law on regular review of the national minimum wage to promote national growth.

    He recalled that the minimum wage was due for review in 2015 and urged the government to put measures in place to achieve the desire goal.

    According to him, the law provides that the minimum wage should be reviewed every five years; the law was established to address issues faced by workers.

    “I think the cause for review of the national minimum is welcome; it is just that it is almost belated, the issue of minimum wage is an aspect of our law; it is now part of our law in Nigeria.

    “It is not something that government should wait until NLC threatens to embark on strike before it sets up committee; it is about the law that should be respected,” Omar said.

  • Workers losing faith, hope in Nigerian project, says labour

    Organised Labour, made up of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) said yesterday that the Nigerian worker has continued to lose faith and hope in the Nigerian project because of the harsh living condition on the country.

    Addressing a pre-May day press conference in Abuja, Chairman of her May Day committee and Deputy President of the NLC, Comrade Najeem Yasmin, said the living condition of Nigerian workers and citizens have continued to deteriorate in the past few years without corresponding action to better their lots.

    Yasin, who is also the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, said to worsen the precarious condition that workers have found themselves in is the absence of meaningful social cushioning, especially by way of decent wages and dignified working conditions.

    He said that even the minimum wage promised by the government is yet to materialise, while the broader economic and political dynamics in the country has continued to tempt many workers to lose faith and hope in the Nigeria promise.

    He said further that it is under these dark clouds in the country that Labour seeks to inspire strength, confidence and hope in the Nigerian worker and ordinary citizens who currently feel shortchanged.

    Also speaking, the co-Chairman of the May Day committee, Amodu Olayinka, said measures have been put in place to ensure that the rowdy atmosphere that characterized the 2017 May Day celebration does not repeat itself.

  • Minimum wage: Labour seeks living wage for workers

    • Aregbesola, Ambode, others caution

    Organised Labour laid its fresh demand for N66, 500 minimum wage before the 30-member Ms. Ama Pepple-led tripartite committee on new minimum wage yesterday. TONY AKOWE, TOBA AGBOOLA and ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE report that the workers’ unions spoke with one voice in their request for a living wage.

    IT was the same tune at the public hearings on National Minimum Wage for Nigerian Workers staged in eight city centres across the country yesterday. The workers demanded for a living wage of N66, 500 minimum wage.

    The hearings, organised by the Tripartite Committee of the National Minimum Wage, were staged in Abuja, Lagos and the six geo-political zones.

    The government and employers of labour did not make their offers known yesterday’s public hearings, but the workers’ umbrella unions – the Nigerian Lagbour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), explained why they united on the demand for N66, 500 as monthly salary for the minimum paid worker. The minimum wage is N18, 000.

    Some state governors, however, urged stakeholders to apply caution in fixing a minimum wage.

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who doubles as the Chairman, Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage, Northcentral Sub-committee, urged all parties to settle for a fair, just and implementable minimum wage.

    His Lagos counterpart, Akinwunmi Ambode, said the revenue profile of each state must be taken into consideration as a major determinant of what can reasonably be afforded in terms of wages.

    Ambode said that workers’ salaries should not be allowed to jeopardize the government ability to fund social services that are critical to the well-being of the entire citizens.

    President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to implement the recommendation of the 30-member tripartite committee, which he inaugurated on November 27, last year.

    At the Southwest hearing, which held at the Adeyemi Bero Secretariat Auditorium, Alausa, in Ikeja, Lagos, the organised Labour demanded a new minimum wage for all workers in the country.

    Presenting the memoranda of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Political Committee Chairman of the local chapter of the NLC in Lagos, Agnes Sessi, said that N18, 000 was no longer sustainable as minimum wage.

    According to her, the two labour union unions agreed on the urgent need to review upward the minimum wage to meet the prevailing economic realities; lift a pool of working class out of the poverty trap; and to conform with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards on minimum wage fixing to meet the needs of workers and their families.

    In her submission, Mrs. Sessi said:  “Based on the current realities, the two labour centres demand for a new monthly national minimum wage of N66, 500, which is approximately the average of the implied minimum wages derived under three approaches.”

    She listed the approaches as:

    • Comparative analysis based on minimum wages in some African countries;
    • An estimate of the monthly minimum cost of providing basic needs to a family of six and two dependants and analysis based on rising cost of living over time.

    Mrs. Sessi added that both union seek the amendment of the Minimum Wage Act to provide its review every five years, or whenever there was a general wage review, adding that the recommended best international practice was that the minimum wage law should apply to all workers and not to establishments with 50 workers and above, as contained in the present Act as amended in 2011.

    She said the review of the minimum wage would boost aggregate demand which would further provide a boost to the economy coming out of recession, adding that an enhanced minimum wage, financed by increased taxation on the rich and luxury goods, would promote equity and growth in the economy.

    Also speaking, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Lagos branch, aligned with the NLC and TUC in demanding for N66, 500 new minimum wage.

    The ASCSN spokesman, Akeem Kazeem, said the upward review was overdue because the pay structure in the country had become unrealistic and inadequate, such that workers could no longer meet their basic needs, a scenario, he said that is impacting negatively on their morale.

    Kazeem said: “The sum of N18, 000 which is currently being paid as the minimum salary in the civil service is grossly inadequate. An officer at that level will, however, require about N66, 500 a month to survive. We are in total support of the demand for the sum of N66, 500 for a salary of GL. 01 Step 1 officer as requested by the organised labout.”

    Speaking through the Head of Service (Hos) Mrs. Folasade Adesoye, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said there was a consensus of opinion on the need for workers to be reasonably remunerated and compensated in line with current economic realities.

    He said that was why a provision was made in the law for periodic review of the national minimum wage, admitting that every worker deserved a wage that guarantees decent standard of living.

    Ambode said: “The issue, however, which I believe is more peculiar to the public sector, is striking a balance between what goes into recurrent expenditure of which salaries and allowances is a major component and the ability of government to fulfill its obligations to the larger society.

    “In this instance, the revenue profile of each state becomes a major determinant of what can reasonably be afforded in terms of wages, without jeopardizing the ability of the government to fund social services that are critical to the well-being of the entire citizens.”

    The governor stated that at N18,000 minimum wage, the state’s monthly wage bill was in excess of N10 billion for a workforce of 103,000, asides retirement benefits obligations.

    He said that despite Lagos being the highest revenue generating state internally, it must also be recognised that due to the growing population, “we also shoulder the highest responsibility in terms of the resources that must be expended on social and physical infrastructure renewal and development.”

    Ambode charged stakeholders to be open-minded and flexible in their demands in the overall interest of all.

    In his opening remark, the Chairman of the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage for the zone and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, who was represented by his deputy governor, Col. Samaila Dabai, said the national minimum wage was first fixed in 1981 and subsequently reviewed in 1991, 2000 and 2011.

    He said: “It therefore means that hitherto, there appeared to be an unwritten cycle of 10 years between reviews.

    “This onerous task cannot be adequately carried out without the wide consultations, which this public hearing provides.”

    At the Abuja hearing, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Mohammed Bello demanded a living wage for workers, describing them as the birds that lay the golden eggs.

    “Those who create the wealth of the nation deserve to be treated well and their welfare adequately taken care of,” the minister said.

    NLC President Ayuba Wabba told state governors canvassing for what they described as true federalism that there was nothing like true federalism anywhere in the world.

    He said federalism has a provision to protect the weak and vulnerable in the society.

    On their part, pensioners, under the auspices of Nigeria Union of Pensioners  (NUP) demanded a minimum pension of N40,000, arguing that a situation where some state pensioners still collect as little as N2000 monthly was unacceptable.

    The FCT minister, who was represented by the Director, Human Resource Management, Hajia Amina Bello, said while the minimum wage review was in tandem with ILO Convention, it should be juxtaposed with government revenue profile to make whatever is arrived at will be implementable.

    Bello said: “The planned review and proposal of a new national minimum wage is laudable, bearing in mind the current economic realities, in lauding the cost of living, particularly as it affect the middle and low income earners. That the review should be juxtaposed with the government revenue profile to ensure hitch free implementation upon approval.

    “This is because it may be counter-productive to arbitrarily consider an upward review without taking into cognizance the cost of funding the revised wage by government and private organisations.”

    The minister frowned at salary disparity among government workers, saying “there is the need for the committee to consider recommending the implementation of salary structure relativity among all federal establishments.

    “A situation where some government parastatals operate enhanced salary structure and allowances for its workforce, while others especially core ministries operate regular salary structure is to say the least somehow demoralising.

    “Investigation to this effect indicates that junior officers in some of these juicy parastatals earn more than directors in the core ministries and department.

    “While not canvassing for a downward review of this salary and allowances of this category of workers, considerable review and introduction of some allowances should be contemplated to mitigate this disparity.

    “There is the need to take into account the peculiar nature of the FCT and the high cost of living, housing, transportation among others.”

    The minister also proposed a special allowance for workers living within the FCT saying, “a comparative analysis of the cost of living in nation’s capitals indicate a wide gap in relation to the states across the countries. Hence there is the need to consider special allowance for workers in the FCT.

    “In view of the other core responsibility of the government and the cost of providing social amenities, the proposed review should be fair and considerate.”

    In his presentation, Wabba said the demand for a national minimum wage was in line with ILO Conventions, which prescribe minimum wage so that we can protect the most vulnerable workers from exploitation.

    He said: “The idea is to protect the most vulnerable worker which cut across both the public and private sector. That is the context which we must look.

    “I have heard the argument that the call for minimum wage is trying to bring about an equal wage across the states of the federation. That is not true. When we signed the minimum wage in 2011, some states offered to pay more than N18, 000. What we are saying is that you need to have a minimum, while across the country, you can pay higher. This also applies to the private sector.”

    On the governors who are using the issue of true federalism to demand that they be allowed to fix their own salaries, he said: “I have heard people talk about true federalism and I have checked and discovered that there is nothing like true federalism.

    “I have checked all the vocabulary in political science and discovered that what you have is federalism and not true federalism. What the United States of America (USA) practice is federalism and in federalism, you need to protect the most vulnerable group from exploitation.

    “If you say states should fix their own salaries, what about the private sector? What that means is that there will be exploitation. What we are saying is fix the minimum and not the maximum. We must protect the most vulnerable group in our society.

    “Also, the minimum wage review is evidence based anywhere in the world. So, it is not arbitrarily fixed. ILO says it should be evidence based with empirical data. In some countries like Ghana, they look at inflation.

    “The workers create the wealth and should benefit from the wealth they create. The issue of ability to pay has always come up. We have said that there are several responsibilities that the federal government is handling that they should not be handling.

    “We have agreed in principle that we should take a look at how to distribute our resources, while we work towards increasing internally generated revenue. If all these and more are considered, the will to pay will be there and the way will also be there.”

    In his argument, Aregbesola said the constitution vested in the Federal Government the right to fix minimum wage for all segments of the society. He, however, cautioned that in discussing the minimum wage, it should be done side by side with the issue of productivity.

    He said: “The assembly here this morning is an indication of our commitment to keep faith with our constitution and the national minimum wage is a constitutional one. Item 34 of the exclusive list empower the Federal Government to deal with the issue of Labour, in losing proscribing the national minimum wage for the federation.

    “This committee comprises of government, both at the federal and state levels, organised labour and the organised private sector in accordance with ILO Conventions.

    “Its task cannot be adequately carried out without the dill consultation which this public hearing provides. I therefore urge you all to make your input dispassionately.

    “We have all along been concentrating on cost of living which is also important. However, in your contribution, let us also look at productivity index, so as to get the best for the economy. By so doing, we will be enriching the outcome of this debate and making it less controversial and more amenable to implementation.”

    NUP Deputy President Aminu Ayuba said the Nigerian laws stipulate that pension should be reviewed every five years or whenever salaries are being reviewed.

    He said that prescribing a minimum pension remained the only way to review the low pensions being paid by all tiers of government.

    At the Southeast centre in Enugu, stakeholders urged the federal and state governments, as well as private employers, to facilitate payment of the new minimum wage to reduce the suffering of workers.

    Speaking for the local chapter of the NLC in the Southeast, Virginus Nwobodo said that the new minimum wage review and implementation had been overdue.

    Nwobodo, who doubles as the NLC Chairman in Enugu State, said that N66, 500 should be the takeoff point as a minimum wage, arguing that it has become difficult for workers to live on N18, 000 with families and dependants to take care of.

    He said: “It is long overdue and we are asking for nothing less than N66, 500 to meet the current socio-economic realities.’’

    Chukwuma Igbokwe, who spoke for the TUC in the region,  called on the Federal Government to conduct a public hearing on political office holders’ wages, so that it would be reviewed.

    Igbokwe said that the huge amount being collected by politicians across board was inimical to the purchasing power of workers, since both patronised the same market.

    NUP zonal chair, Chukwuma Udesi, called on the government to inaugurate a Committee for the National Minimum Wage for Pensioners.

    He said that by so doing, pensioners would start enjoying increment like other workers.

    Udesi said: “NUP is demanding a minimum of N40,000 to meet the basic needs of a pensioner and reduce their sufferings.’’

    He urged Abia and Imo state’s governors to pay the backlog of pension arrears in their state.

    In his remarks, Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano said that the state would remain labour-friendly and implement any fair agreement reached and concluded by the tripartite committee. He was represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Labour Matters Godwin Igbokwe.

    He noted that the government had assured the state workers of increment in their salaries.

    His words: “The state government is ready to implement the increase but wants to wait for the tripartite committee to conclude their assignment. Hopefully in July this year, I assure you that Anambra will be the first to implement.”

     

    Purpose of hearings

     

    The Chairman of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, Ms. Ama Pepple, said that the public hearings, simultaneously on-going in eight centres, was meant to collate the aggregate views of the people, especially organised labour, employers and groups.

    Ms. Pepple said that the exercise would enrich the outcome and make the implementation of the new minimum wage easier, since everybody would be taken into account.

     

     

     

    She said: “We have assembled here this morning to collectively exchange ideas in the ongoing efforts by government aimed at establishing a new National Minimum Wage for Nigerian workers. As it is the practice the world over, a minimum wage, once established, is reviewed from time to time in accordance with economic realities.”

    The demand was not different at the Northwest zonal hearing in Kaduna.

    Defending the 40, 000 payment for retirees, NUP President, Dr. Abel Afolayan, argued that the N18, 000 can no longer sustain the standard of living of an average worker, who must meet up with the basic needs of life.

    Afolayan said: “Nigerian pensioners are also confronted with the above enumerated social problems in addition to their age-related health challenges.”

    Represented by his vice, Sani Muhammad, the NUP chief said: “The agitation for minimum pension alongside minimum wage has been going on since the of our union in 1978.

    “This is to correct the ugly situation whereby some pensioners particularly at the state level, earn as low as N2, 000 per month.”

    The TUC faulted the rise in price of food stuff, transport fare, which it said have gun up by 80 per cent, while only the cost of labour remains stagnant.

    Awwalu Mudi Yakasai, who represented the local chapter of the TUC/NLC in Kano State chapter, called for reasonable improvement of the minimum wage, considering the hardship faced by workers whom have families to cater for.

    The TUC chairman in Kaduna State, Shehu Muhammad, told reporters his views on the anticipated minimum wage.

    He said the decision to setup a tripartite committee was a calculated move to strike a balance among all stakeholders.

    Muhammad said: “We are not expecting any resistance from any government in Nigeria, because there interest is well represented in the meeting.

    “We have taken that as a mistake from our own part. That is why this time around the committee is tripartite in nature. We have the representative of governors, Federal Government and the labour organisations.

    “So, whatever decision reached at the end of the committee submission is going to be all encompassing, and include the decision and agreement of the state governors, Federal Government and the labour.

    Gombe State Governor and the chairman of the National minimum wage from the Northwest, Ibrahim Dankwanbo assured that the interest of the labour union will be deliberated upon and a minimum wage figure will be released on a tripartite agreement.

    Dakwambo said: “It is a matter of relying on the indices, inflationary trends of the country, the devaluation of the Naira, our own living standards and a host of other indices we have taken into consideration.”

    He was represented by the TUC National President, Boboye Bala Kaigama.

    Dakwambo said: “The state governments will make their own decision, while the organized private sector will do the same. At the end of the day, we will collate them, and I assure you that with the sprite of tripartism, we will come up with a national minimum wage figure that will be acceptable to all.”

     

  • Workers hail Ajimobi for human capital development

    Participants at a two-day “train-the-trainers” workshop for civil servants in Oyo State have hailed Governor Abiola Ajimobi for his commitment to the welfare and development of the workforce.

    This was contained in a communiqué at the end of the workshop, held in Ibadan yesterday, with the theme: “The Imperatives of Change Management in Oyo State Public Service.”

    The communiqué said the participants resolved to embrace work practices, which would enhance productivity and efficiency in the civil service.

    Some of the resolutions include, “emphasising recruitment based on merit; attitudinal change among workers to ensure better service delivery and continuous capacity building of workers through training and re-training.”

    Others are “constant review of relevant extant rules, regulations, circulars and general orders; clearer definition of the mission and vision of MDAs for effective service delivery and effective deployment of technology in day-to-day operations.”

    Secretary to the State Government Mr. Olalekan Alli delivered a keynote address at the workshop. The lead paper was delivered by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Efficiency, Dr. Isaac Ayandele.

    Resource persons included retired permanent secretaries and seasoned administrators, while participants comprised officials of the efficiency unit of MDAs and political appointees.

  • 731 workers to get salary arrears

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has approved arrears for 731 workers, who were absorbed into the civil service.

    The governor also approved the regularisation of 42 casual workers of the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUT), Parklane.

    These were part of decisions at yesterday’s State Executive Council meeting (EXCO) at the Government House in Enugu.

    Commissioner for Information Ogbuagu Anikwe said 731 workers of Enugu Agricultural Development Programme (ENADEP), Sports Council and Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS), would benefit.

    He said: “Sometime in 2016, it was brought to the government’s notice that some workers in government parastatals were absorbed into the civil service, but were not properly captured. And because of this, they were owed salary arrears. These parastatals include Enugu State Agricultural Development Programme (ENADEP), Sports Council and the ESBS, totalling 731 workers.

    “A committee was set up in 2016 to address the issue but most of the affected workers did not show up for verification. This necessitated another committee in 2017, which submitted the report which the council approved.

    “More than 10 per cent of the affected workers have not been verified and the council believes that more needed to be done so that we can capture everybody and pay everybody at once”.

    Anikwe added that the amount needed to offset the arrears was N284.96 million, while N1,127,680 million monthly or N13.5 million per annum is needed to pay the 42 regularised workers of ESUTH.

  • Ambode trains workers on conflict resolution

    The ability by workers to persuade, negotiate, resolve conflicts and avoid chaos is crucial to the development and peace of Lagos State, Govenor Akinwunmi Ambode has said.

    He spoke during a workers training held in Lagos, tagged: “Building Values And Sound Human Relations Skills in Lagos State Civil Service”.

    Represented by the Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson, he said the workers are expected to be able to identify and spot potentials for conflicts before they fester into full blown crisis.

    He pointed out that the world is fast changing and issues are becoming more complex, adding that the state need workers who are able to make critical observations.

    He said: “A refined officer is expected to have the skills to solve problems. The state need people who can be left on their own to figure out how to resolve conflicts and avoid chaos and ill feelings. You are expected to be able to identify and spot potentials for conflicts before they fester into full blown crisis. Indeed, the ability to persuade, negotiate and resolve conflicts is crucial if you plan to move up. You need to have the skills to develop mutually beneficial relationships in the state so you can influence and persuade people. You also need to be able to negotiate win-win solutions to serve the best interests of the state  and the individuals involved.”

    “As officers of the state who is in charge of important organisations, you must be able to observe and critically assess the impact and consequence of developments as they arise and, sometimes, even before they arise.”

    Ambode said the objective of the training is to inculcate and sharpen the vital interpersonal human relations skills and values that officers of the state civil service require to properly and fully serve the government and the people of Lagos.

    “This is why we have also ensured that we keep our officers happy to achieve good human relations and productivity.

    “A happy worker is a productive worker. A business relies on the productivity of its employees and that is where human relations comes into play,” he added.

    He told the workers that as an officer of the state civil service, they will attain better performance  if they possess good communication skills.

    “This doesn’t mean you have to be a brilliant orator or writer. It does mean you have to express yourself well, whether it is writing a coherent memo, persuading others with a presentation or just being able to calmly explain to a team member what is needed.

    “Also, your department will become more effective and efficient if you can work in a team and collaborate. The state civil service wants people who play well with others and can effectively work as part of a team,” he said.

     

  • It’s criminal to owe workers, says Ngige

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has said it is a crime to owe workers, either in the private or public sector.

    Ngige, who noted that governors had no excuse for owing workers, said they ought to look inward to generate more fu nds rather than going cap-in-hand to Abuja for federal allocation.

    Speaking on the Federal Government’s disposition to the new minimum wage,  at a forum in Abuja, he said the tripartite committee would ensure that all parties involved arrived at a fair wage that would be binding on all stakeholders in the economy.

    Ngige said the maxim of this government was: if one cannot create more jobs, workers should hold on to the one they have.

    “That is the maxim! If we are not able to create as much jobs as we believe Nigerians will need during the electioneering campaign, we should be able to hold on to the one we have and then do the little we can to compensate for the shortfall. Since we came in, it has not been easy or rosy with the economy,” he said.

    The minister said first, there was the oil price slump and volatility in global market and then insurgency in oil producing areas.

    “Our revenue went down drastically and we couldn’t pay salaries. We had to borrow to pay salary. But we said our maxim is to keep the job, not eliminate jobs, even if we cannot create exactly as we promised.

    “In this regard, government led by example in our public service; we did not retrench people. We maintained the balance and if anything, some of our agencies were allowed to do what they called replacement,” he said.

     

  • ‘Workers must give quality service to residents, others’

    For proper administration of Lagos State, there is need for top quality service from workers to both government and residents of the state, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said.

    Ambode who spoke during a workshop tagged: “Building Values and Sound Human Relations Skills in Lagos State Civil Service” was represented by Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry Of Establishments, Training, and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson in Lagos.

    He said the workers must work without negative traits, practices and mindsets with values and the human relations skills that are vital for maintaining and renewing the effectiveness of the Lagos State Civil Service

    He stated that the objective of the workshop is to inculcate and sharpen the vital interpersonal human relations skills and values that officers of the state civil service require to properly and fully serve the government and the people of the state.

    He stressed that the ministry is charged with the responsibility for ensuring the adequate exposure of the Lagos State Civil Service to knowledge on an on-going basis.

    He also said that the governor is irrevocably committed to all matters relating to the Civil Service in the State.

    He said: “From time to time, we find people who wonder why this administration devotes so much resources and efforts to trainings such as this. The answer to that is the welfare of the people is the ultimate law. Governments who deny this assertion do so at the risk of ruining their stewardships and the trust of the citizens in governance. Furthermore, employers who deny this run the undeniable risk of ruining their enterprise and the trust and devotion of their employees.

    “Of the many wise employers living by this noble ideal, the state government is one of the most notable, if not the foremost. The passionate and unrivalled dedication of the Lagos State Government to the welfare of its workforce both during and after service cannot be denied. In furtherance of its dedication to this ideal, the governor mandated the Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions to embark on a continuous training of the officers of the state civil service in order to ensure the delivery of top quality service to government.

    “The Lagos State Civil Service is desirable of having officers with two skills sets of hard skills and soft skills. For instance, as an officer of the Lagos State Civil Service, you will attain better performance heights if you possess good communication skills. Again, your department will become more effective and efficient if you can work in a team and collaborate. The Lagos State Civil Service wants people who play well with others and can effectively work as part of a team.”