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Tag: Labour

  • Labour union threatens strike over MTN’s anti-labour practices

    Labour union threatens strike over MTN’s anti-labour practices

    The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN) has threatened to embark on a two-week industrial action over the alleged anti-labour practices by the management of MTN Nigeria.

    The union, which is an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), issued the warning in a statement on Tuesday.

    It also vowed to disrupt the services of the telecommunications company nationwide after several attempts to resolve the issues failed.

    According to PTECSSAN, the issues bother on the remuneration of workers, exit packages for long-term staff, employee relations practices, and alleged abuse of expatriate quota, amongst others.

    It accused MTN of disregarding its employees in the country, saying such an action was contrary to the core values preached by the organisation.

    “MTN practices an unwholesome, insensitive, and discriminatory structure in the emoluments of some categories of workers.

    “Workers on the same job level earn disproportionately. In many cases, members of a team earn more than their team leads and even more than their direct managers,” the union alleged.

    It added, “Non-payment of severance benefits at the point of departure of employees after long years of dedicated and uninterrupted services to the company has become a deep frustrating practice to the live long guarantees for workers in MTN.

    “The company claims it has not been paying exiting employees severance benefits, hence, it cannot be a matter for negotiation with the union despite the fact that social dialogue demands that all matters without exception concerning workers in the workplace are subject to negotiation.

    “The rate at which companies in the telecommunications sector import excessive manpower to the country to do jobs Nigerians are not lacking in competence is alarming. It is becoming pervasive in MTN Nigeria as well.

    “We have several expatriates in the company who do exactly what Nigerians do. Most of these expatriates are trained by Nigerians and we still wonder how the permits for these individuals were approved.”

    The union warned that if the company fails to yield to its demands or source for another alternative to satisfy their business interests, its proposed strike would be wide and compelling with deep implications for the company’s businesses.

    “Once again, we reinstate that if our demands are not fully and appropriately complied with by MTN Nigeria Telecommunications Limited on or before the next 14 days from today, we shall withdraw every guarantee of industrial peace within MTN Nigeria. Services may be disrupted across the nation throughout the network from the midnight of the 24th day of August 2020,” it said.

    In his reaction, MTN’s Chief Corporate Services Officer, Tobechukwu Okigbo, stated that the allegations made by the labour union were totally untrue and without any merit.

  • In Praise of the New Labour Unity

    In Praise of the New Labour Unity

    By Issa Aremu mni

    There is a Yoruba saying that “A ki dupe ara eni”(meaning self-praise is not praise worthy). And that’s precisely why this singular self-praise is significant! As an active participant in the five year-long “strain within the ranks of Organized Labour in Nigeria” I bear witness that the renewed unity is in the fullest of time and commendable! Better late! NLC’s Press Release aptly sums up the imperative and desirability of the new united labour movement: “The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the United Labour Congress wish to announce to the world that the strain within the ranks of Organized Labour in Nigeria has been resolved. The Nigeria Labour Congress led by Comrade Ayuba Wabba, mni has FULLY RECONCILED with the United Labour Congress (ULC) led by Comrade Joe Ajaero. Nigerians would recall that after the conduct of leadership election in the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the 10th National Delegates Conference in 2015, some misunderstanding arose between some affiliates of Congress. Efforts by Labour veterans such as the pioneer President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu and a former President of the NLC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to resolve the issue were inconclusive. …..The outcome of this quiet but sustained effort at making the peace is the fruit of the reconciliation that we are celebrating today has been resolved.”

     

    Unity is the cardinal principle of trade unionism. This has been a recurring theme in my written reflections on “Labour and Trade Unions” as well as active praxis in the past four decades. As the General Secretary of National Union of Textile, Garment Textile Union ( NUTGTWN );between March 10, 2000 – March 30, 2020, I bear witness that a cohesive indivisible movement is an indispensable precondition for the Union’s acknowledged achievements in wage improvements, defense of workers’ rights and advocacy for industrial renewal over the past four decades. Indeed the motto of textile union is “Unity, Justice and Diligence”. No price is too much to ensure unity just as the costs of disunity are better not incurred. NLC marked 40th anniversary of the present structure/formation in 2018. As a pioneer Head Economics/Research Department of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), ( 1987 – 1989), two terms elected Vice President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), 2007 – 2015 and many years CWC and NEC member of NLC, I bear witness that the landmark negotiated five national minimum wages since 1981, are dividends, among many others of a United labour movement. It is refreshing that the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the United Labour Congress had agreed to close ranks under a new indivisible NLC, following the rift after the controversial conduct of leadership election in the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the 10th National Delegates Conference in 2015 . It’s also gratifying that “the leadership and structures of the United Labour Congress have been reintegrated into the Nigeria Labour Congress” to the satisfaction of both parties.

     

    The importance of a strong organized labour movement not just for the welfare of worker-members but for the growth of the enterprises/workplaces and development of the nation cannot be overstated. One united NLC has delivered services to workers, citizens in general and productivity to the nation than a divided one. Only united labour creates wealth unhindered. It’s has always been a long and challenging road to union formation and union unity in Nigeria. But once comrades demonstrated the will, there would always be ways leading to unity through shared positions with shared burdens and responsibilities. The NLC itself , emerged out of the controversial unique 1975-1978 state intervention and restructuring of the hitherto independent four labour centers under Murtala/Obasanjo military regime. Just as capital, employers and owners of means of production are concentrating power and efforts aimed at maximizing profits so also workers and their unions have seen the urgent need to form national and international organizations aimed at maximizing labour’s welfare and curtail exploitation under capitalism.

     

    To this end under British colonialism, the first generation of unionists saw the need not only to form trade based/house unions but also central national labour organizations that could confront colonial capital with its exploitation and oppressions. The first Nigeria Nigeria Labour Congress first formed in 1950. The inaugural conference of the second NLC was on December 18th, 1975 at the Banquet Hall of the Lagos City Council. The second NLC was formed on the ashes of the then existing four labour centers, namely – United Labour Congress (ULC), Nigeria Trade Union Congress (NTUC), Nigeria Workers’ Council (NWC) and Labour Unity Front (LUF). The independent efforts at one indivisible labour centre were propelled by great veteran unionists like Alhaji H.P. Adebola, late Wahab Goodluck, S.U. Bassey, J.O. James, N.F. Pepple, A.I. Okwese, Chief E.A.O Odeyemi, M.A. Imoudu, J.U. Akpan, R.A. Ramos, Okon Esshiett and Vincent Igwe Jack. The second NLC was inspired by the great oration delivered by late Mr. Okon Eshiett then Director of Trade Union Institute (TUI), at the burial of the late Chief J.A. Oduleye at Apena Cemetry, Lagos 1975 known as APENA DECLARATION.

     

    It’s a quotable quote: “Today, we are conscious of the necessity for the workers of Nigeria to come together and to remain under one umbrella”. Mr. Okon Eshiett’s moving graveside oration was at the burial of the late Chief J.A. Oduleye at Apena Cemetry, Lagos 1975. It’s also known as Apena Declaration. I suggest that the enlarged strong NLC leadership should make that historic oration a compulsory read for all labour leaders and worker-members alike if we must sustain the historic efforts at one strong united labour centre. The efforts at one new NLC were successful until the then Federal Commissioner for Labour, under the Administration of General Murtala Mohammed, Major General Henry Adefowope announced new Federal military Government’s “Labour Policy of limited Government Intervention and Guided Democracy in Trade Union matters” which eventually led to wholesale restructuring of the then existing hundreds of the so called house unions into national industrials union. The 2015 ruptures during the 10th Delegates conference are now part of the movement’s rich history of disagreements and agreements. Analyses are better left to analysts. But what makes the new unity significant is that it was a product of dialogue and compromises between comrades not state imposition and court judgement ( note; not justice!). It was also good that veterans were allowed to rest well in deserved retirement. The new NLC is indeed in fullest of time of a global Coronavirus pandemic which has claimed 778 lives and 603,000 lives in Nigeria and the world respectively including frontline health working people. The new normal which has attacked millions of jobs tasks the unity of purpose of labour to compliment the struggle to defend lives and livelihoods.

     

    A united and strong labor voice, is based on the strength of its members, through union organising, negotiations, campaigns and other forms of action. Nigerians therefore look to a new reenergized labour/ civil society

     

     

  • Governors, Labour, doctors reject Gbajabiamila’s Infectious Disease Bill at public hearing

    Governors, Labour, doctors reject Gbajabiamila’s Infectious Disease Bill at public hearing

    Governors, doctors and Labour on Wednesday rejected the Control of Infectious Disease Bill during a public hearing on Wednesday.

    The Bill seeks to repeal the Quarantine Act of 1926, the Nigeria National Health Act (2004), National Programme on Immunisation Act (2004) and the Environmental Health Officers (Registration ETC) of 2002.

    The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) opposed the bill, which passed second reading on April 28.

    NGF Chairman and Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi said the Bill gives governors scant operational space to manoeuvre.

    “This Bill takes away the only authority the governors have to take specific steps and measures in their domains during an outbreak of infectious disease,” he said.

    NGF believes the bill is undemocratic as it conflicts with the Constitution.

    He noted that too many powers were given to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Director-General.

    The NGF chairman said such a bill ought to take into consideration public health necessity.

    “The public should have an opportunity to participate in the formulation of policies and laws and implementation should be open and clear to promote public trust which is crucial for preventing infection spread.

    “Rights of individuals to contest an order or proceeding should be protected as much as possible

    “In cases of considerable economic losses as a result of the imposition of such measures, international recommendations proffer that fair compensation be provided to those individuals.

    “Any intervention seeking to provide a comprehensive legal and policy framework to ensure the effective management of cases involving infectious diseases…must be conducted within the context of the federation, carrying every stakeholder along and holding extensive consultations.

    “The NGF is concerned that the governors were not consulted in putting the Bill together, neither was any role created for them, in utter disregard for their constitutional functions,” Fayemi said.

    The NMA disagreed with many aspects of the Bill, such as compulsory invasive medical examination.

    Through its President, Prof. Innocent Ujah, the association faulted the provision for compulsory treatment or vaccination, saying it is against the ethics of the profession.

    Wabba, who represented the Organised Labour, highlighted 17 grey areas in the bill, which he described as undemocratic.

    “Having read through the Bill, the only reinforcing and overwhelming voice is that of dictatorship.

    “In presenting this memorandum, we choose to uphold our concern that the claim of commitment to the protection of public health and safety does not turn out to be an excuse for the provision of a tool in the hand of an autocrat, empowered to ride roughshod over the fundamental rights of the Nigerian People,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the NCDC Director-General Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu said he would speak on the Bill today.

    Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said a lot of the engagement on the proposed legislation “has been ill-informed and outrightly malicious”.

    Represented by the House Leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, he said: “There are those in our society who benefit from promoting the falsehood that every government action is cynical, and every policy proposal must be the product of malignant influence.

    “We must never succumb to the impulses that these elements represent, and we must reject them always as doing so is an act of excellent service to a nation we love and are beholden to.”

  • FG, Labour, others reach agreement on five bills to promote workers’ welfare

    FG, Labour, others reach agreement on five bills to promote workers’ welfare

    The Federal Government, labour and employers have reached agreement on five bills to promote workers’ welfare across the country.

    These bills will be submitted to the National Assembly for urgent action.

    The agreement was reached at a three-day retreat in Lagos between March 2 and 4. Held under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in conjunction with the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC; Trade Union Congress, TUC, and Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, with the International Labour Organisation, ILO, providing technical support, participants at the retreat reviewed national labour bills.

    Labour and Employment Minister, Dr Chris Ngige, declared the retreat open, while Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Olorogun Festus Keyamo (SAN), chaired the technical session.

    There was a joint communiqué by Olorogun Festus Keyamo, Minister of State, Labour and Employment; Ayuba Wabba, NLC president; Quadri Olaleye, TUC President; and Timothy Olawale, Director-General, NECA.

    It said: ”The retreat was for the purpose of updating Nigeria’s labour laws to conform with international best practices and current realities in the world of work.

    “The five national labour bills considered at the three-day retreat were Collective Labour Relations Bill; Labour Standard Bill; Labour \Institutions Bill; Occupational Safety and Health Bill, and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (Amendment) Act.

    ”After intense deliberations on the bills, government and the social partners were able to reach consensus on most of the provisions in the aforementioned bills and would finalise outstanding issues at a validation meeting in Abuja.

    “The final outcome of the exercise would be forwarded to the National Assembly for legislative action.”

  • Oyo Govt okays N30,000 minimum wage

    Oyo Govt okays N30,000 minimum wage

    Oyo State Government and the Organised Labour on Wednesday reached an agreement on the N30,000 minimum wage passed into law by the Federal Government in 2019.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agreement was reached following a meeting between the delegation of the state government and that of organised labour.

    Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), who chaired the State’s Minimum Wage Implementation Committee, made the disclosure on Wednesday evening in Ibadan at the end of the committee’s meeting.

    According to the agreement, the new minimum wage for the state workers takes effect from January 2020.

    “We have just signed an agreement and the highlight of the agreement signed is that the least paid worker in Oyo State will earn over N30,000 monthly.

    “We also agreed with our colleagues all on the table here on the consequential adjustment required as a result of that minimum wage, which has also been agreed and reached.”

    “It has been a long process because we have had to look deeply into the books and all the factors required to ensure that even as we sign this agreement today, we get an agreement that is sustainable, agreeable and affordable for the government and the people of Oyo State,” Olubanwo said.

    Mr Bayo Titilola-Sodo, Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Oyo State, said that the agreement reached would see the least paid worker in the state earn N30,000.

    Titilola-Sodo explained that the matter of consequential adjustment was agreed based on the financial strength of the state.

    “We all looked at the books and what our state was generating monthly, the least paid worker in the state will earn N30,000 but what we regard as consequential adjustments, we cannot follow the model from the Federal Government, because we had to cut our coats according to our sizes,” the NLC boss said.

    He disclosed that the agreement came after collective bargaining and due consideration for the resources available to the state to the best of the workers’ knowledge.

    He noted that the government had also promised to meet with the organised labour every three months to consider the state’s resources.

    On whether the issue of consequential adjustment might cause disagreement among the workforce, Titilola-Sodo said: “We also agreed that we would be looking at the books regarding the earnings of the state.There is another meeting coming up in the next three months and it is our belief that government will not fail us.

    “So far, Gov. Makinde has not made a promise to us and failed, so this gives us the confidence that we will all sit together with the government in the next three months to look at the situation of things. We will ensure that the agreement is not in vain,” he said.

  • Minimum wage: Labour prepares for showdown with 15 governors as deadline expires

    Organized labour has commenced mobilization of workers in 15 states of the federation for a strike to press home demand for the full implementation of the new minimum wage of N30,000.

    The states, according to labour sources, are yet to demonstrate enough commitment in keying into the new dispensation.

    The bone of contention in most of the states is the consequential adjustment of the new salary structure.

    Sources said labour leaders had been placed on standby for an industrial action.

    The states were given up till on Friday to conclude negotiation on the matter.

    However, it was gathered last night that many of the affected states were making frantic efforts to avert a showdown with workers.

    The states are: Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Cross River, Zamfara, Gombe, Taraba, Niger, Plateau, Kogi, Kwara, and Nasarawa.

    Some of the governors started negotiations a few days before the original deadline of December 31, 2019 set by labour.

    But when it dawned on labour that some of the states had not gone far in their negotiation with their members, a grace period of one month was given to the governors by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to wrap up negotiations.

    Although, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State started paying the new minimum wage, especially for the low cadre of workers last October, negotiation with labour on consequential adjustment for other categories of workers is still on.

    Secretary-General of TUC, Comrade Musa-Lawal Ozigi, in an interview, said on Friday that the union was expecting feedback from all the states on the implementation of the minimum wage.

    Ozigi said state council chairmen of the TUC would turn in their reports tomorrow.

    According to him, the National Administrative Council (NAC) led by its President, Comrade Quadri Olaleye, would meet any moment from now to assess compliance by state governors.

    He said the NAC would then decide the next line of action after the review of reports from its state councils.

    The secretary-general said the union was ready for “recalcitrant governors” who fail to implement the new wage for workers in their states.

    Ozigi said: “We gave them (state governors) January 31 to implement and so far, we are compiling our results. Anytime from now, the NEC will meet to decide what to do with each of the states that has not complied.

    “The January 31 was a grace period for them (state governors) to have done that (implement the minimum wage) and they have not done it. Those ones that have not done it, the NAC is meeting to decide what to do in each of those states.

    “Already, all our state council members have been put on notice. Having done the assessment by the NAC meeting, of course any action can be taken in any of the states that is still faulting.

    “The President of the TUC and the council (NAC) will meet to take that decision but we are still working on it.

    “All we want to do is to get feedback from all the states. We are waiting for all the states to get the report by tomorrow then NAC will meet to take the next decision.

    “All the state councils are on alert, waiting for direction from the NAC headed by the president.”

    Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba, could not be reached for comments yesterday.

    However, an NLC source said that the union has fixed its own NAC meeting for Tuesday,February 4, 2020 in Abuja where a final decision on the implementation of the minimum wage will be taken.

    The highly placed source said state council chairmen of the NLC had been placed on alert ahead of the final decision of the NAC.

    The source said the NLC will use the meeting to “firm up a line of action on what to be done to recalcitrant governors who are yet to begin payment of the new wage.”

    The source also said that affiliate unions in the states had been mobilized to ensure that the proposed strike was total and effective.

  • Labour gears up, set to war with ‘disobedient’ governors

    Labour gears up, set to war with ‘disobedient’ governors

    Organized Labour on Friday said it was ready to go to war with any governor that fails to implement the N30,000 minimum wage and the consequential adjustment that follows for workers in their states.

    President Muhammadu Buhari signed the new minimum wage Act into law on April 18, 2019.

    Six months after Buhari signed the Act into law, the Federal Government and organised labour, agreed to 23.2 per cent increase for workers on level seven and 20 per cent for workers on level eight, while it agreed on 19 per cent increase for workers on level nine.

    Also, both the government and organised labour reached an agreement on 16 per cent salary increase for workers on levels 10 to 14 and 14 per cent increase for workers on levels 15 to 17.

    With labour reaching agreement with government at the national level, the battle shifted to the states.

    Only five states-Kaduna, Kebbi, Lagos, Adamawa and Jigawa-have commenced implementation and payment of the new wage after it was signed into law in April.

    Other states are yet to show full commitment, forcing labour to issue a December 31 deadline for full implementation of the new minimum wage, including the consequential adjustments by the remaining states.

    The deadline will expire on Tuesday.

    The Secretary-General of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Musa-Lawal Ozigi, said any governor that fails to implement or show commitment before the Tuesday deadline would be deemed to have declared war against labour.

    Ozigi, in an interview in Abuja on Friday, said organised labour would decide on how to handle recalcitrant state governors who fail to implement the new wage at the end of the December 31 deadline.

    He said: “Most states are working hard. Let us see how they go. Deadline does not mean that if it expires we will take action immediately. It simply means that the grace period is over and anything can happen thereafter.

    “In other words, when you give a deadline or an ultimatum, once it expires, it does not mean you will take action immediately.

    “It simply means that the grace period given to government is over. From that moment, you will not be held for any action.

    “On the minimum wage, we are also watching. I can assure you that by the end of next week, if any state governor has not done anything relating to the minimum wage he has only declared war against labour and we know what to do.

    “We are listening to every state to know exactly what is happening so that it will give us opportunity to prepare for the worst case ahead.

    “We know most states have started, especially in the north and south. But by Tuesday, we would have been able to gather our data to know the next line of action.

    “Even some states have set up their own committee to ensure that within one week they finish. That means they also have that Tuesday (deadline) in mind.”

    The secretary-general urged any state governor who cannot pay the new minimum wage to quit.

    He said it was too late for state governors to use the call for a review for revenue sharing formula as an excuse not to pay the new minimum wage.

    Ozigi said: “Any governor that feels he can use that (revenue formula) as an excuse to pay is calling for labour action.

    “We do not want to pre-empt anybody, but we have told them very clearly it is either you do what is right or stay out of power and let somebody who can do it come there, and we have not changed the position.

    “Any governor that is not prepared to pay minimum wage has no business in government.

    “That is the basic principle on which we stand, and from Tuesday you will see reaction.

    “But I can assure you it will not be immediate, because we need to go back to our people (labour leaders) to decide what kind of plan we are going to use to deal with that kind of governor.”

  • Minimum wage: FG, Labour finally reach agreement

    Minimum wage: FG, Labour finally reach agreement

    Following three days of delicate negotiations from Government and the Organised Labour on the consequential adjustments of the implementation of the new minimum wage of N30,000, both parties have finally reached an agreement.

    The Concillators to the agreement are Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige and his state counterpart, Dr Festus Keyamo.

    Witnesses to the agreement from the Government side are; Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, Ag. Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and Mr Olusegun Olufehinti, Director IPPIS, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

    On the Labour side are Mr Simon Anchaver, Ag. Chairman, JNPSNC and Mr Alade Bashir, Secretary General, JNPSNC.

    The communiqué reads thus: “Following the threat by Organised Labour not to guarantee industrial peace after Wednesday, October 16, 2019, as a result of the deadlock in the ongoing negotiation on the Consequential Adjustment of emoluments in Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) arising from the New National Minimum Wage of Thirty Thousand Naira (N30, 000.00) as imbued in the National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment in exercise of his powers under the Trade Dispute Act, CAP T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004, apprehended the trade dispute and called the parties to conciliation meetings.

    “He met each of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) on Wednesday, 9th October and Monday 15th October, 2019. Thereafter, joint meetings were held on 16th, 17th and 18th of October, 2019, after which the following Terms of Settlement and Agreement pertaining to the Minimum Wage Consequential Adjustments in the Public Service were reached.

    “The consequential adjustment for Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), called group one is;
    GL 07 -23.2 per cent, GL 08 -20 per cent, GL 09 – 19 per cent, GL 10 – 14 is 16 per cent, while GL 15-17 is 14 per cent.

    “The second Group consists of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS), Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure II (CONUASS II).

    “Others are; Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Salary Structure (CONPCASS) and Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS).

    “For Grade Level seven and its equivalent, it is 23.2 per cent, GL 8-14 Equivalent at 16 per cent, and
    GL 15-17/Equivalent at 10.5 per cent.”

    Confirming the agreement, the Trade Union Congress in a statement, said it was a win-win situation for Nigerian workers and commended the Federal Government and organised labour for their patience while the National Minimum Wage negotiations lasted.

    The statement jointly signed by President of the Congress, Mr Quadri Olaleye and Secretary General, Mr Musa-Lawal Ozigi, said it was not an easy journey, applauding government’s team for their wisdom and sincerity.

    “We commend the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan and her team for their sincerity.

    “Though they argued that government cannot afford to meet our earlier demand of N30,000 minimum wage across board, because of the economic situation in the country, we made them understand that some people cannot be more Nigerian than others, If we are tightening our belts, government should also do so.”

    The Union said as an organisation and a major stakeholder in the Nigerian project, they believe that the parties have done well.

    “We shifted grounds and that is why we were able to resolve things without major injuries. It is a win-win situation.”

    The TUC boss said he was particularly happy with the agreement, because it has addressed some salary discrepancies and overlapping issues that workers have agitated about.

    “This is a unique agreement and we promise to build on that by God’s grace,” he added.

    Earlier, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige said the new minimum wage was a national law and it must be obeyed by all tiers of government.

    “We have often repeated that the essence of that law was for the president to lift the vulnerable working force both in the private and public service.

    “This is a national law and it must be obeyed by all; state government, local government and all persons concerned that employ more than 25 persons in their organisation.

    “We have decided to fast tract discussions. We are fast tracking it because we need to put an end to the issue of minimum wage till the next five years, when it will arise again.

    “We need to finalise this today, The suspense is too much for the people. Even your constituency- workers, if we don’t conclude today, they will be thinking otherwise.

    “They will start thinking that you have been compromised, even the government side, if we don’t conclude today, they will start saying you people are influencing us.

    “This negotiation should be, in the spirit of give and take, in the spirit of one nation, end this thing. If we decide to empty the purse so that the nation will go broke, it will affect all of us.

    “If we do give and take, look at government purse and know that this purse has been badly depleted, make some concession, it will be in the interest of Nigeria.”

    NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, had earlier said that the organised labour would continue to be open minded and would keep up with the principles of collective bargaining.

    “We on this side of the table we are ready to ensure that we bring the entire process to a conclusion.

    “In the normal practice of Collective Bargaining, you look at issues from both sides, you look at the situation with workers, vis a viz their pockets and what will make the workers happy and very productive.

    “If wishes were horses, we would have wished that this entire negotiation was concluded yesterday.”

  • New Minimum Wage: FG, labour resume negotiations to avert strike

    New Minimum Wage: FG, labour resume negotiations to avert strike

    The Federal Government and labour unions began talks on Monday to avert a nationwide strike by workers slated for Oct. 17.

    Labour has resorted to the strike option, after negotiation collapsed in finding a way out of the minimum wage logjam.

    The two parties have engaged in endless and often fruitless meetings, raising anxiety and frustrations among public sector workers, who have waited patiently over the months for the new wage.

    Speaking in Abuja on Monday at the continuation of a conciliatory meeting, Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, said the meeting was an opportunity for information sharing and an avenue to soften ground for a final meeting, slated for Oct. 15.

    He told the labour leaders to be open-minded in their dialogue so that both parties could get a way out of the minimum wage logjam.

    Ngige said he believed that the meeting would bring an end to issues in contention, if both parties agreed and understood each other’s positions.

    “If we don’t soften the ground bullets will fly and at the end of the day we will come back to the negotiating table. That is why we are doing this as a proactive measure.

    “Part of my work is to ensure that there is a quiet industrial milieu. The workforce brings out their full productivity and employers, businesses will not be disrupted. That is why we called you again.

    “Tomorrow, we are going to do the mixed-grill meeting. That mixed-grill meeting tomorrow can be one hour meeting, it can be two hours or it can be 12 hours, depending on what we are able to achieve today.

    “I appeal to everybody to show some understanding.

    “We are going to discuss dispassionately. Nothing will be hidden from anybody. The books of government, I talked about it before– when I mean books they are budgets– 2019/2020, we will make it bare.

    “I have warned them and I have advised them that if they come they should be prepared to present their case, meaningfully and successfully.

    “I will stay in the middle as an arbiter because that is what I am going to do in this instance.”

    The Deputy President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Mr Amaechi Asugwuni, who spoke on behalf of organised labour, said that the meeting was called by the minister to share information with labour leaders.

    He said that labour had made considerable shift on its demands from the earlier position on the consequential adjustment of the N30, 000 minimum wage.

    “We all know the consequences of delay is never fruitful and as such organised labour has come here with open mind in ensuring that facts are facts, also the situations are already known to us.

    “The economy is biting and as a matter of fact, we must assist the process at this time in ensuring that we close it earlier than needed so that we can avert the unforeseen.

    “It is only when you don’t know where you are going that you will waste a lot of time doing nothing.

    “The position of labour is very clear. It gives us the signpost of what we have asked for and where we are going. So every delay, every action taken is toward that position and we know that you will do your best to get there.

    “We believe that the Federal Government will do the needful because ours is a straight forward proposal.

    “We have made our proposal to the FG before now and government is to respond. We believe that by
    tomorrow, we will get the FG’s feedback and know the next thing to do.

    “Labour will not tolerate anything short of reasonable adjustment in the ongoing negotiation.

    “The consequential adjustment is a matter of percentage which requires give and take principle. You state what you want but it depends on government to see sense in your demand.

    “Labour has shifted beyond expectation. What government needs to do is to reciprocate by doing what is needful to appreciate the workers.

    “We are talking about compensation, salary and legitimate compensation for work done. Inasmuch as we believe in the consequential adjustment, it has to be reasonable, otherwise, people will feel neglected.

    “Tuesday’s meeting is the benchmark for labour’s action but mobilisation continues. The meeting will tell us the way forward because anything can happen.”

    On the mobilisation for strike, Asugwuni said that the meeting on Oct. 15 would determine everything, noting that mobilisation was on top gear “for an industrial action from 17th October, 2019”.

    NAN recalls that labour leaders are demanding 29 per cent salary increase for workers on salary grade level 07 to 14 and 24 per cent adjustment for officers on salary grade level 15 to 17.

    But the Federal Government had presented a proposal of 11 per cent salary increase for officers on grade level 07 to14 and 6.5 per cent adjustment for workers on grade level 15 to 17.

    On May 14, the Federal Government inaugurated the relativity and consequential adjustment committee, which in turn set up a technical sub-committee to work out a template for the adjustment of salaries of public service employees.

    But government and labour have failed to reach an agreement over relativity and consequential adjustments for the implementation of the new wage more than six months after it was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    In a communiqué issued on Oct. 7, labour warned that economic activities would be shut down from Oct. 16, if the Federal Government failed to reconvene a meeting of the committee on consequential adjustments.

     

  • No timeline to begin implementation of minimum wage – Labour

    No timeline to begin implementation of minimum wage – Labour

    The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has said there is no timeline on when the Federal Government would begin the full implementation of minimum wage to workers on all levels.

    The General Secretary, JNPSNC Alade Lawal, said this in an interview in Abuja.

    Lawal said that he was hopeful that both the federal government and the organised labour would arrive at a decision soon.

    He said that negotiation with the government team may resume in a couple of days.

    Lawal said: “It is still as it was. On the part of labour we are talking to our people, we are briefing them. You can call it mobilisation if you like. With the way they are working behind the scene we may be back to the negotiation table in a couple of days.

    “This is not something that somebody can put a timeline. It is negotiation and when you negotiate you have fair deal from your side that you believe should be the ruling wage. They have their positions base on the numbers in the books.

    “So when you have two sides of a coin and you are meeting you can’t put a timeline but I want to believe that if you follow the trends of discussions, follow the trends of development, follow the trend of sincerity on the part of government, you will agree with me that we are moving very close to either arriving t something or let us see how it goes.”

    He dismissed the payment of minimum wage to workers on levels 1-6, stressing that as far as labour was concerned, the federal government had not paid minimum wage.

    “As far as we are concerned they have not paid anything. It has no effect,” he added.