The Nation Newspaper

Tag: workers

  • Oyo approves compulsory health insurance for workers, others

    The Oyo State Executive Council (Exco) has made the enrolment for its health insurance compulsory for civil and public servants.

    It said the decision is in line with the provision of Section 16, sub-section 1 of the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA) Law of 2016.

    The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, broke the news yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital.

    He said Levels 1 to 12 would be on Standard Plan with N8,000 annual premium, inclusive of N200 registration/service.

    The commissioner said civil servants from Levels 13 and above will be on Standard Plus Plan of N13,500 annual premium.

    Arulogun said the Exco also approved the compulsory enrolment of students in state-owned institutions on Students Plan with a subsidised premium of N2,800 per annum.

    The commissioner said the state government will also demand certificates of health insurance or evidence of same from individuals, groups, companies or institutions that intend to do businesses with the state.

    He added that such businesses would include but not limited to registration of hospitals and allied institutions, schools and allied institutions, premises and companies, vehicles and all forms of procurement and supplies, renewal of certificates and licences, application for certificates of occupancy, rents and allied applications.

    According to him, a health insurance certificate shall also be part of pre-requisite to access loan or similar funds from Bureau of Investment by individuals and cooperatives societies.

    Arulogun said: “The payable premium by the enrolees, public and civil servants in the services of the state and local governments as well as students in the state tertiary institutions will be directly deducted by the Ministry of Finance and other relevant institutions, as the case may be, for direct remittance into the account of the agency on monthly basis, as stipulated in Section 19 (4) and 36 (1) of OYSHIA Law 2016.”

    He added that the health insurance scheme is meant to alleviate poverty through significant reduction in “out-of-pocket” expenditure on health by the residents and making quality healthcare affordable and accessible to every resident.

    The commissioner said the OYSHIA had got medical equipment worth N74,129,800, which would be used at accredited.

    Arulogun said drugs and consumables have also been supplied to 42 OYSHIA accredited public facilities (both primary health centres (PHCs) and state/general hospitals.

    The commissioner said 21 private facilities were also accredited to participate in the scheme, adding that there is an ongoing renovation of accredited PHCs at no financial cost to the government.

    He said this demonstrated that health insurance would ultimately reduce government expenditure on health and fast-track the development of the Health sector.

     

     

  • Health workers give 21-day strike notice to FG

    Health workers give 21-day strike notice to FG

    There is a strong possibility of industrial strike in the health sector as members of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) have vowed to embark on a nationwide strike if the Federal Government does not address their three discontentment.
    According to the National Chairman, JOHESU, Comrade Biobelemoye Joy Josiah  and  National Secretary, JOHESU, Comrade Ekpebor Florence the decision  was taken  after their Three-Day consultative meeting in Abuja where it was resolved that the federal government  should  urgently revisit the constitution of the membership of the boards of all the Federal Health Institutions (FHIs) as the list of members published in December 2017 seriously violates the Teaching Hospital Act which provides that a representative of health providers must be appointed on all the boards.
    The JOHESU/AHPA noted that the government  did not appoint members of JOHESU/AHPA on the boards despite the fact that a formal list was sent  on request, thereby, breaching one of the terms of its September 30, 2017 Terms of Settlement to redress the perennial lopsided composition of the boards of the FHIs.
    The JOHESU/AHPA lamented the delay tactics and alleged deliberate foot-dragging of the Federal Government in approving the adjustment of CONHESS scale as was done for CONMESS since January 2014 and also replicated with yet another approval for the same CONMESS in September, 2017 for the Medical Doctors.
    They  resolved to reconvene after 21 days of its communication to the Federal Government if there is no positive response  and declared that after 21 days with effect from Thursday last week, it might no longer be in a position to guarantee industrial harmony in the health sector.
    JOHESU/AHPA appealed to its restive members for calm while the leadership appraises and monitor the resolve of the Federal Government to fully comply with the Terms of Settlement with JOHESU on September 30, 2017.
  • Aregbesola to Osun workers: be tax agents

    Aregbesola to Osun workers: be tax agents

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said that with the right revenue drive and a culture of tax payment among the people, the state, with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about 2.44 trillion, has no reason to be poor.?

    Addressing permanent secretaries, directors, general managers and executive secretaries of government agencies and corporations in Osogbo, the state capital, the governor urged the civil service to help the government promote the culture of tax payment among the residents.?

    He decried the state’s poor economy, despite its huge GDP, saying it is more than that of some African countries.

    Aregbesola urged Osun State residents to change their attitude towards tax payment.

    He said: “If a territory or space like Osun can produce goods and services estimated at N2.44 trillion, then we have no reason to be poor. But it’s a pity that we can’t hide our faces from the fact that we are poor, and this is because our revenue generation is so poor.

    “Some African countries, which have presidents, don’t have that much of GDP as Osun. It’s saddening that we still find ourselves in this economic mess because our attitude to tax payment is poor and we are directly at fault for it.

    “I want to tell you that if we continue like this, then we are encouraging poverty. You public servants should begin to worry that it is only you who pay tax. It should interest you, as public servants, to ensure that every taxable adult in Osun pays his or her tax.

    “If we don’t quickly do something about our revenue generation, the dream of a better Osun that will be the cynosure of all eyes might painfully be a mirage. I came to Osun to become governor because I am from this state. I want it to develop. I want you too to begin to have the mindset that Osun must develop through you…”

  • Be creative, commissioner urges workers

    The new Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Hakeem Fahm, has urged workers of the Ministry to explore new ideas and innovations that would help to position the state in the science and technology global market.

    The commissioner, who gave the advice while meeting with the management workers of the ministry immediately after assuming duty, noted that for Science and Technology to strive, and for the state to compete favourably in the global economy, there is need for transformation.

    He said the main focus of the Ministry include e-governance, establishing globally competitive research facilities for the promotion of innovation, research and development (R&D)  in science and ICT and also to promote science technology, engineering and Mathematics [STEM] education.

    Fahm said there is need to collaborate with other ministries, academic institutions and other relevant bodies to drive our vision.

    The commissioner urged the workers to cooperate with him so as to achieve the purpose for which the ministry was established.

    While soliciting for support from the workers, he reiterated his total commitment to move the ministry forward.

  • Workers: bad roads threaten $10b investments

    Workers: bad roads threaten $10b investments

    How can Apapa roads be restored? Hand them over to the  Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), say Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), terminal operators, residents truck drivers and others.

    They said the bridges leading to the ports from Western Avenue, were under threat because of the huge number of trucks parked on them daily.

    Over $10 billion investments at the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, they said, are threatened by bad roads.

    The roads, according to them, needed urgent attention to protect the bridges, save lives and reduce revenue losses at the ports.

    MWUN President General Comrade Adewale Adeyanju lamented that a large number of dockwor-kers were facing redundancy because vessels no longer  found the ports attractive for business.

    He said if the situation continued, the union would withdraw its services from the ports.

    “We have given an ultimatum, but it is not about ultimatum anymore, it is about total show down. If you go inside the port now, you can hardly see two vessels there, at ENL where we normally have up to six vessels, it is only one that is there, so there is diversion of vessels to other countries close to us and this is affecting our members, it is equally affecting the revenue drive of the terminal operators and the NPA

    “When the ships are not coming, the management may think otherwise, and to stop this, we have decided to come out and cry to the whole world that enough is enough

    “If the rain should start any moment from now, you will not see any vessel again in the port,” he warned.

    A senior Customs officer who pleaded not to be named, said it was difficult to evacuate cargoes from the ports, adding that this is reflecting on the revenue of many agencies like NPA.

    A senior official of a terminal, said: “Your paper reported last week that terminal operators owed the Nigerian Ports Authority several billions of naira, but you have forgotten that our own investments, which are over $10 billion, are in danger because of the perennial gridlock on Apapa roads.

    “Part of the agreement we had with the Federal Government before the ports were concessioned to us was that the government would fix the infrastructure and we shall invest in the port by bringing in modern equipment, which we have done but the government is yet to fulfil its own part and that is affecting our business and our returns to the government.

    “As sensitive and people-oriented government, there is need for President Buhari and the Federal Executive Council to direct the Minister of Works, Power and Housing Mr Babatunde  Fashola to hand over the roads  to NPA and end cargo divert to ports of neighbouring countries because of the gridlock on the road,” he said.

    He said many operators had abandoned Apapa, Mile 2 and Ijora roads, going to the ports via water.

    “But that has increased the vehicular traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge because we would first drive to CMS before taking boats to Apapa.

    “The implication of that to the economy of Lagos State is high because many truck drivers have abandoned the Oshodi/Apapa Express road and are now using the Western Avenue and the bridges along this corridor are suffering and if we allow one of them to collapse, the cost of re-fixing it would be huge for the government and higher than the cost of fixing the roads currently’’.

    Investigation showed that, the gridlock on the road has become endemic because of pot holes.

    Adeyanju said the state of the roads was affecting cargo dwell time and ports revenue.

    The National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Dr Kayode Farinto, said ships’ waiting and turnaround time and cargo dwelling time were affected by the deplorable roads.

    “Fashola must be directed to hand over the roads to NPA. By the time that is done, our groanings and the hardship we are facing on these roads would be over. This is a government of the people and we have no doubt that it will listen to our hopes and aspirations. At the moment, NPA is handicapped because the roads fall within the purview of the Federal Ministry of Works, but I am sure that the government is a listening government.”

     

  • Fed Govt warns workers against lockout, picketing

    Fed Govt warns workers against lockout, picketing

    The Federal Government has warned workers against locking out of duly appointed officers and picketing as a resolve to industrial disputes in the country.

    Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige gave this warning in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

    Ngige stated this in reaction to the recent spates of trade disputes between workers and their employers, especially in the Public Service of the Federation.

    He noted that these were issues regarding appointments, promotions, administrative postings, and discipline in the public service.

    “Workers must engage in social dialogue in resolving industrial disputes as self-help such as lock-out of duly appointed officers and picketing are unconstitutional and an effrontery to the constitutional powers of the President who made such appointments.

    “Federal Government wishes to use this medium to re-apprise Employees of Government and their respective Trade Unions that by virtue of the provisions of Section 130(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria

    “This is as amended by Mr President, who is the Head of State and Chief Executive of the Federation.

    “Section 169 of this same Constitution created the Public Civil Service of the Federation, while Section 170 allowed Mr President to delegate functions to any Member of the Civil/Public Service.

    “Section 171 gave him powers to appoint persons to hold offices in the actualization of the contents of the two previous sections, ‘’he said.

    Ngige, therefore, noted that the recent trade disputes in Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) was illegal.

    He added that workers had embarked on illegal lockouts of officers duly appointed by Mr President as it happened in the National Population Commission (NPC), and the picketing in some Agencies and Ministries.

    The minister said this was clearly violations of the constitutional powers of Mr President as Chief Executive and Appointing Authority.

    “The same goes for establishments where workers have threatened forceful ejection, removal of Chief Executives and Permanent Secretaries over promotion, discipline, administrative postings, and even lawful employment of staff,” he said.

  • Workers threaten to shut down NIGCOMSAT over alleged victimisation

    Workers threaten to shut down NIGCOMSAT over alleged victimisation

    The Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) has accused the management of Nigeria Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) of victimising workers. It warned that unless the victimisation and promotion were addressed, it would have no option than to disrupt activities at the agency.

    In a letter to the Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, the union said it may be forced to embark on a three day warning strike unless the issues of promotion and victimisation, of its members in the company is addressed.

    The letter, dated  January 10, signed by the president, Mohammad Yunusa and the General Secretary, Comrade Ayo Olorunfemi, alleged that one of its members is being victimised by the management for refusing to take part in corruption related activities.

    The letter entitled: “Re: Operational Modalities in NIGCOMSAT-Our Demands,” the letter read: “Under the directive of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Association we refer to our letter No SSASCGOC/HM/FMCT/1/2017/ of 9th Oct 2017 on the above subject matter and observe with dismay the non-response to any of the issues raised.

    “We are most concerned about issues that bother on the rights of our members; particularly the issue of promotion. As we speak, one of our members is being victimized  for  refusing to participate in activities that promotes corruption in the workplace.”

    “We shall be left with no other choice than to embark on a ?3 day warning strike to drive home our points, if nothing is done to address all the issues raised in our letter under reference within 21 days from the date of receipt of this letter.”

    Speaking with newsmen, Comrade Olorunfemi, condemned the promotion exercise done by NIGCOMSAT management after a long pressure from the union, adding that the promotion was lopsided as important issue of seniority was lost due to earlier embargo and delayed in the process.

    He said the union would not accept a situation whereby some senior officers have to forfeit one year due to no fault of theirs but just because the management decided to place embargo on promotion.

    “The essence of promotion is to motivate, but when promotion is becoming a de-motivational factor, there will be reduction in productivity and the union would not accept that.”

    On the victimization of its member, he explained that an officer, who is the head of account refused a directive from an executive director to pay a money which was not approved and was being victimized.

    Comrade Olorunfemi said the present government came into power on the mantra of corruption, saying that the minister should conduct an investigation into this case and ensure that workers who stand up against corruption are not punished.

  • NUFBTE partners MINILS to boost workers’ industrial relations knowledge

    National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) and the Michael Imoudu Labour Institute  have collaborated to boost employees’knowledge on industrial and labour relations.

    Speaking at the event, which held at the NUFBTE National Secretariat, Michael Imoudu Labour Institute MINILS Director-General, Alhaji Saliu Ishaq, said the institute has broaden its activities to meet with their challenges.

    “We have introduced a diploma programme on the Industrial and Labour Relations to enable us serve the workers well,” he said.

    He added that both organisations were collaborating for mutual benefit, saying: “We are aware that the union has been a formidable one and we have been interacting and meeting over the years for mutual relationship.”

    He pointed out that the institution has worked with several food companies’ workers, such as Seven Up, Nestle Nigeria, and Unilever.

    According to him, “we are here to introduce to the union our bouquet of services; it is an institute that is forward looking with the new management coming on board in April, this year.

    “Since we came on board, we have been strategising on how we can move the institute forward along with our stakeholders.”

    He pointed out that the institute is impressed in the development going on in the union venturing into various businesses, with an aim of making the union viable and financially buoyant, saying unions has to be self sustaining.

    “Our services for 2018 – we are looking forward to receiving members from your member companies to take maximum advantage of our services,” he added.

    Also, NUFBTE National President, Lateef Oyelekan, said the institution has improved a lot of workers.

    He said that the first time, he visited Labour Solidarity Centre in America was through the institution.

    He pointed out that the union had diversified into other areas to generate revenue for the Union, saying, “we came up with event centre and from there we moved to commercial hotel and after the commission of the hotel we started our water factory.”

    He said, “we have learnt a lot from the institution, but the institution needs to be widely spread across the country.”

  • Workers shun offices in Federal Secretariat, FCT

    Workers shun offices in Federal Secretariat, FCT

    Only a few workers resumed duty yesterday at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja after the New Year holiday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that official activities were still at a low ebb due to the poor turnout of workers at their duty posts.

    The Federal Government declared Monday, Dec. 25, Tuesday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Jan. 1 as public holidays for Christmas, Boxing Day and the New Year.

    Commercial activities at the secretariat were equally low, as many traders around the complex had yet to report for business.

    Some of the workers, who spoke with NAN, however, expressed optimism that the country would experience a better turnaround in the New Year.

    Mr Tony Ihuoha, a civil servant said that it was time for Nigerian workers to rededicate themselves to work for greater productivity.

    “If we can work harder to improve on our contributions to national development, Nigeria will be better for it.

    He, however, argued that the low turnout of workers could be because many of them who travelled for the holidays had yet to return.

    At the phase 3 of the secretariat, including the Ministry of Education, some civil servants were seen treating files and attending to people.

    Mrs Dorcas Babatunde, a civil servant, told NAN that the holidays had come and gone and it was necessary for workers to be at their duty posts.

    Babatunde said that though, work had resumed, full activities had yet to pick up in the offices.

    “The year has started on a good note; some workers have resumed work while others are yet to return to office.

    “I believe that by Monday, activities would have taken shape at the secretariat.

    Miss Chinenye Eze, a recharge card seller said that business was dull as many of her customers had not resumed work.

    Eze, who was hopeful that things would get better as soon as many of the workers return, said sales were very low on resumption of work.

    Also Mrs Iyabo Agbaje, a food vendor, said it was a normal thing eon the resumption of work to experience low sales.

    “I have learnt from experience that there would always be a low turnout of workers the first day of work,” she added.

    NAN also reports that the ever busy car park at the Eagles Square was empty, as few vehicles were parked there.

    A car park attendant, Mr Abdul Ilori, described as unimpressive, the resumption of work by civil servants after the New Year holiday.

    Ilori admitted that patronage was also low, blaming the situation on the fact that most civil servants had yet to resume

    There was low turn-out of workers have been recorded in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, after the New New Year holiday.

    The Federal Government had declared Monday, Dec. 25, 2017; Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017; and Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, as public holidays for the Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year celebrations to enable Nigerians enjoy Yuletide.

    Workers were expected to resume normal duty after Yuletide holiday.

    However, activities at the Federal Secretariat and various Ministries, Departments and Parastatals (MDAs), Abuja, was low as few workers resumed for duty.

    NAN correspondents who went round the MDAs yesterday reports that the majority of the workers were yet to resume.

    Commercial activities around the secretariat were low as many people who engaged trading were also not present.

    At the Phase 3 of the secretariat, housing the Federal Ministry of Education, civil servants were seen treating files and attending to their schedule of work.

     

  • 30,000 ad hoc workers for Kano council polls

    30,000 ad hoc workers for Kano council polls

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State has removed Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Ibrahim Dandodo.

    Dandodo, who represents Rijau Constituency, will be replaced with Nura Garba (Kontagora I).

    The sack was contained in a letter to the Assembly, where the party requested it to recognise Dandodo’s removal.

    However, some lawmakers have resisted this move, saying only lawmakers have the powers to elect their leaders.

    This development  has caused a cold war between the party leadership and lawmakers, as the party threatened to deny them tickets in 2019 if they refuse to act upon the letter.

    The lawmakers are standing on the House of Assembly Standing Order, Page 6, which states that the election of the Speaker and his deputy is the responsibility of members, while the rules of the House gives power to lawmakers to select their leaders.

    A lawmaker, who pleaded for anonymity, confirmed the receipt of the letter.

    He said the APC lawmakers were neither consulted nor involved in the decision.

    Efforts to get party’s secretary, Mohammed Liman, to comment were unsuccessful.