President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba has said that the Congress has not issued any strike notice over the implementation of the new national minimum wage by the government.
Wabba disclosed in Abuja that the implementation of the minimum wage and the consequential adjustment was going on smoothly, pointing out that when the time comes for a strike ultimatum, Nigerians will be informed accordingly.
The NLC President also commended President Muhamadu Buhari for signing the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement, saying organised Labour were initially against Nigeria signing the agreement because there was no consultation.
He disclosed that only Nigeria and South Africa carried out extensive consultation on the agreement, adding that the observations of organised labour have been reflected in the agreement, part of which is that goods to benefit from the trade agreement must be produced in Africa.
He said “our own case is going on well. We met with our unions yesterday. The difference right now is about the consequential increase and we hope that through a normal process of dialogue, we will be able to sought that out.
On the strike alert already issued, he said ” no, we don’t work with that, please. NLC, as an organised body, I am not sure we have given any notice to that effect. If we reach a point of issuing threats, we will do that without hesitation.
“But I have seen much information on social media. We are a credible organisation and we should be able to speak for ourselves.
” If we get to that point, we will be able to inform you. But for now, the process is going on and we have been able to expand the scope of dialogue to include NLC/TUC and only limited to the unions in the public sector”.
Speaking on the benefit of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, Wabba said organised labour was initially against Nigeria signing the agreement because there was no dialogue among the social partners in how it will benefit the country especially workers.
He said “We were against it because there was no consultation and nobody even knew the content. I can say with nostalgia that it is only Nigeria and South Africa that did the type of consultation we did. Through our engagement process, there was dialogue, there was consultation with key stakeholders in the economy and we were able to identify way to improve and key into the Africa Continental free Trade Agreement and to have a comparative advantage.
“Part of what we agreed on is that those goods must be made in Africa. They must be goods we produce in Africa that will be used for the trade among ourselves. In the course of the dialogue, we found out that trade among African countries is less than 16 per cent. Therefore, it will be an advantage for African countries to trade among themselves than trading with other countries.
“How do we also protect our local market? With the agreement, there will be a common tariff, some of the tariff will drop, the income accruing to government in terms of revenue will also drop. How we key into it is to produce. Then, how do we create an enabling environment for our industries to produce and be able to compete with other countries because some of them will be targeting our population.
Tag: minimum wage
-
Minimum wage: NLC denies issuing fresh strike notice to FG
-
Minimum Wage: Shelve proposed nationwide strike in public interest, Lawan begs NLC
The President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan on Wednesday appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC)to shelve its proposed industrial action over alleged delay in implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage.
Lawan made the appeal when the executives of the NLC and the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, (PASAN) led by Mr Ayuba Waba and Sunday Sabiyi paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
Lawan called for further understanding and patriotism, adding that some states had started paying the agreed minimum wage.
“We should not encourage personal issue to overshadow our collective responsibility to nation building.
“We will journey with you to ensure absolute implementation of the minimum wage by the Federal government.” Lawan pleaded.
He also assured PASAN to collaborate with the management and leadership of the National Assembly, urging it to present issue-based arguments, instead on engaging strike action to press home its demands.
He also said the ninth assembly would not be detracted, but remained focused in pursing growth in every sector of the country.
The NLC President later presented a congratulatory card to Lawan on his emergence as the Chairman of the National Assembly.
He also pledged the commitment and collaboration of the labour unions to the legislators.
Earlier, the Chairman, PASAN, Sunday Sabiyi congratulated Lawan on what he described an impressive emergence as the President of the Senate.
He urged him to put into use , his wealth of experience as a ranking senator to the service and protection of the interests of Nigerians.
Sabiyi used the occasion to present the demands of the parliamentary staff in National Assembly.
He listed the demands to include implementation of 2018 arrears of 28 per cent and balance of 50 per cent consolidated Legislative salary, implementation of condition of service, recently approved by the eight National Assembly, training of staff, health insurance and life insurance premium. -
We’ll implement new minimum wage soon – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday assured the implementation of the new national minimum wage will commence soon.
He asked asking state government and employers in the private sector to work towards providing a living wage for their workers.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha at the 11th triennial delegates conference of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, the President said as a result of several reforms embarked upon, the economy is expected to grow by 2.7 percent in 2019.
He asked state government and the private sector to implement the minimum wage as a way of encouraging workers to contribute to the development of the country.
The President pledged his government will continue to pay particular attention to the welfare of workers.
Details shortly…
-
Implementation of newly approved Minimum Wage a ‘done deal’ – LASG
The Lagos State Government on Monday said the implementation of the newly approved minimum wage in the state civil service is a ‘done-deal’.
Head of Service, HoS, Hakeem Muri-Okunola said at a news conference in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos on the forthcoming celebration of the 2019 Public Service Day, which he said had been moved to August for certain reasons.
The HoS said the for the delay in implementation was because the new administration was just trying to settle down.
“The governor is just taking over the reigns of administration in Lagos, in the meantime consolidating on getting all the facts and figures regarding our current financial status.
“And as soon as all of those are done, it will be a matter of whether we are implementing the minimum wage, our own minimum wage or whether or not there are other incentives that will be added”, assuring that “it will definitely take off in the nearest possible shortest time,” he said.
According to the HoS, the public service Day which is celebrated annually globally on June 23rd was to recognize the value of service to humanity as well as to appreciate and recognize workers in the public service and to highlight the contributions of public servants to development efforts worldwide.
Muri-Okunola stated that the theme for this year’s event was ”Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through effective Delivery of Services, Innovative Transformation & Accountable Institutions,” which he said was in line with the state government’s commitment to improving public service delivery to the citizenry.
He stated apart from mainstreaming corporate planning in its overall governance reform programme and in its approach to ensuring effective service delivery, the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had underlined, by pronouncements and actions so far, its determination to ensure that service delivery was optimized and that the high expectations of the people of Lagos State were met on a timely basis.
Muri-Okunola said this year’s Public Service Day fell on a Sunday and coincided with the period of transition to a new administration, and that it had become imperative to postpone this year’s Public Service Day celebration to the month of August in order to allow for proper preparation for the series of events for the week long celebration.
The HoS added the programme of events would be announced at a later date, while expressing joy in the Lagos State Public Service for its depth of quality, demonstrated determination and commitment to remain the most vibrant Public Service in Nigeria,
He urged the workers to roll up their sleeves and gear up for the challenges ahead, as the reward for hard work is more work, saying that there was always room for improvement.
-
PDP governors ready to pay N30,000 minimum wage – Dickson
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors have expressed their readiness to pay the N30,000 minimum wage recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.The Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, disclosed while speaking with newsmen at the end of the forum’s meeting which ended in the early hours of Friday in Abuja.Dickson said that the governors were ready to pay the new minimum wage in order to alleviate the plight of workers in PDP-controlled states.He called on President Buhari to expedite the process for the commencement of the payment of the new minimum wage by sending a bill to the incoming ninth National Assembly to review the revenue sharing formula of the country.“We are very eager as PDP governors to implement and pay the 30,000 naira minimum wage that the federal government announced.“We want to do so to alleviate the plight of the long suffering Nigeria workers who have been under paid for long and the workers who are currently groaning in economic hardship as a result of what has gone wrong with the economy since the All Progressives Congress (APC) government took over.“So, we call on the federal government to expedite the process of presenting a bill to that effect.“Also we call for a review of the revenue sharing formula to accommodate a fresh Revenue Allocation Formula in the country,” he said.Dickson also said that no PDP governor was involved in the alleged diversion of local government money, adding that PDP states “do not indulge in such reprehensible conducts”.He called on the Federal Government to name the states involved in the act and the period covered.“We dealt with the allegation of alleged diversion of local government funds by state governments and we condemned it in very strong term.“We as governors on the platform of the PDP want to make it clear that no PDP governor is involved in this allegation of diverting local government funds for whatever purpose.“In our case, the reverse is the case. It is the state governments that have been supporting and subsidizing funding for the local government.“So we call on the federal government and agency in charge to name the state governments and tell us the date and the people who were in charged as the time when this diversion took place,” he said.Dickson, on behalf of the opposition governors, expressed concern over the alleged politicisation of security apparatus by the federal government, especially in states not controlled by APC.He said that such supported the growing call for the establishment of State Police as a response to the worsening security situation across the nation.“We believe also that this is the reason for the wide spread insecurity.“So we will take some of this issues up when we interact with the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, by tomorrow or whenever we see him,” he stated.The forum condemned the shut down and suspension of the operating licence of DAAR Communications Plc by the National Broadcasting Commission, describing it as an act of intolerance and repression against the media.“As you are aware DAAR Communications we understand has been closed down.“Our position is that due process must be followed. If there are any allegation of infraction, then due processes of the law should take place.” When you short down news outlet, when you harass and intimidate journalists, then you are shutting down Nigerians from speaking their minds. And in democracy, freedom of expression is cardinal component.“So we condemn what has taken place and we urge the federal government and its agency to forthwith, do what is right, that is reopen the company and follow the due process of the law,” Dickson said.He called on all men of good conscience to condemn the act in what he described as a brazen act in defense of democracy.Dickson congratulated the PDP over its impressive outing at the last General Elections, as well as all PDP returning and new Governors who emerged victorious in the last gubernatorial elections.“We equally and specially congratulate all our out-gone Governors who successfully and in golden colours concluded their second-term tenures in office.“We congratulate all our National Assembly Members both returning and incoming,” he added.He also commended the Judiciary for exhibiting uncommon courage and professionalism in the discharge of their responsibilities despite the difficult circumstances. -
Minimum wage: Makinde kicks as Ajimobi negotiates with labour today
The Oyo State government will today open discussions with labour leaders on the modalities for the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage, it was learnt yesterday.
It is coming on the heels of Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s promise to workers that they would enjoy the new pay as soon as the Federal Government approves it.
The minimum wage was signed into law by President Muhammad Buhari on April 18.
The government sent notice of the meeting to the labour leaders following the conduct of their congress, which produced Comrade Titiola Sodo as state chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).
The message was signed by the Information Commissioner, Mr. Toye Arulogun.
But, the Governor-elect, Seyi Makinde, cautioned Ajimobi’s administration against the negotiation.
Makinde, in a statement by his spokesperson, Prince Dotun Oyelade, “queried the intention and sincerity of the outgoing government to open negotiation with the labour unions about 30 days to the exit of the Ajimobi.
The governor-elect said there “is nothing the lame duck government wants to achieve other than to complicate things for the incoming government in exactly the same manner it is doing in awarding fresh contracts and rolling out largesse to fellow politicians and friends”.
Emphasising that he looks forward to a progressive relationship with the new Sodo-led NLC excos, Makinde warns against what he described as “any booby traps in the planned negotiation by the outgoing government”.
The governor-elect noted that he was satisfied with the level of the rapport he had with the NLC during and after the election and hope that this would be maintained as the new NLC executive assumes the mantle of leadership.
He reiterated his commitment towards ensuring that nothing short of the interest of workers would be acceptable to his administration.
Makinde applauded the rancour-free consensus that heralded the new chairman as a good sign that democratic maturity has always been a virtue of the NLC, saying he believes that the new NLC leadership is circumspect enough to understand the ongoing theatrics.
-
New salary hasn’t been approved for Armed Forces – DHQ
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said on Friday that a new salary structure had not been approved for the members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
DHQ was reacting to a “fictitious document” being circulated on some social media platforms in that regard.
“The DHQ therefore, wishes to reiterate that the purported new salary scale for members of the AFN being circulated, is nothing but a false and malicious publication intended to cause disaffection among members of the AFN, as no such salary scale exists, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said in a statement.
Nwachukwu said the DHQ was dismayed by the circulation of the fictitious document which had gone viral on social media, purportedly showing a new upgraded AFN salary structure with effect from May 2019.
“The DHQ wishes to clarify that the said document does not exist; neither does it reflect the true salary structure of personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“It would be recalled that that the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Muhammadu Buhari, signed a new minimum wage of N30, 000 on April 18.
“It is also very pertinent for the general public to note that the AFN does not approve salaries for its personnel,” Nwachukwu said.
He therefore urged personnel and the general public to discountenance the “fake document in its entirety’’.
-
Minimum Wage: We won’t accept anything below N30,000, Labour tells governors
Organised labour Thursday warned that no state chapter of the labour movement would accept any renegotiation for downward review of the already signed minimum wage law of N30,000 from any state governor.
The National President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba, made the declaration in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, while presiding over the election of new leadership of NLC in the state.
He stated that the Nigerian workers were under strict instructions not to accept any minimum wage less than N30,000 from the governors.
Wabba said the new minimum wage had become binding, having been approved by the two chambers of the National Assembly and signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said that the excuses by some governors that they could not pay the new wage was an afterthought and therefore untenable.
At the state NLC delegates conference, where the former Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, Ekiti State University Branch, Mr. Olatunde Kolapo, was elected as the new state chairman, Wabba insisted that the new wage would not be compromised under any guise.
Kolapo emerged unopposed among other executive members that were elected.
Wabba, whose address was delivered by an Ex-officio member of the Congress, Maureen Onyia-Ekwuazi, said the Congress would not take anything short of N30,000 as minimum wage from state governors since it had become “a law binding on everybody”.
“Once the minimum wage bill has been signed by President Buhari it has become a law and we won’t allow any governor to circumvent the law.
“What we asked for was a living wage and we cannot allow anybody to shortchange our members,” he said.
Wabba urged the new labour leaders in the state to be resolute and committed in the struggle for improved welfare of their members, saying that should be done without compromise.Performing the opening ceremony, Governor Kayode Fayemi, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Mr Biodun Omoleye, promised the readiness of state government to pay the N30,000 minimum wage.
The governor said the newly-elected leadership of the trade unions in the state would be invited soon for a meeting on the modalties for the payment.
-
Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, Benue assure workers of readiness to pay N30,000 minimum wage
Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) and Samuel Ortom (Benue) have assured workers of their readiness to pay the N30,000 new minimum wage.
They spoke Thursday at different fora on the minimum wage, which was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari
Fayemi said the welfare of the workers had always been his concern, stressing that his government would pay the minimum wage for effective and efficient service delivery.
The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Biodun Omoleye, spoke in Ado-Ekiti at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) delegates’ conference, where Olatunde Kolapo was elected as the new chairman of the state NLC.
He said the newly elected leadership of the trade unions would be invited soon for a meeting on the modalities to ensure the payment.
He announced that facilities at government offices would be upgraded and conducive environment would be provided to ensure the optimal performance of workers.
At the event, NLC National President Ayuba Wabba, who was represented by an ex-officio, Maureen Onyia-Ekwuazi, stated that the workers would not accept any minimum wage that is less than N30,000 from the governors.
Wabba said the new minimum wage has become binding, having been signed into law by the President, stressing that the excuses by some governors that they would not be able to pay was not tenable.
But, Akeredolu pleaded with the Federal Government to review the present revenue sharing formula to enable states to cope with the new increment.
He spoke through the Head of Service (HoS) Toyin Akinkuotu during the election of Mr. Sunday Adeleye as the state NLC Chairman.
The governor said: “We are not against the new minimum wage and if we are not against it, we are in support. Our prayer is that the Federal Government should look into the revenue allocation sharing formula, by giving more money to states and local governments to enable them to implement the new minimum wage”.
Congratulating the new NLC executives, the governor, who hailed the peaceful conduct of the election, advised workers to cooperate with the new executives.
To Ortom, workers deserved more than N30,000 minimum wage if funds were available to pay.
The governor said consultations would soon begin towards successful implementation of the new wage.
The governor, however, called on the Federal Government to review the Revenue Allocation Formula in favour of states to facilitate the smooth implementation of the new wage.
He spoke at the JS Tarka Foundation, Makurdi while opening the Benue State NLC Council delegates’ conference.
Ortom urged those that would be elected at the conference to brace and provide selfless service to the organised labour, stressing that they should be servant leaders.
Ahmed said his administration was also committed to paying the new minimum wage.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Communications Dr. Muyideen Akorede said “in this regard, the government set up a committee headed by the Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Susan, to work out the modalities and sources of revenue for the payment months before the President signed the new minimum wage into law”.
“The committee is expected to submit its report to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed next two weeks,” the media aide said.
Ahmed said the state government did not owe core civil servants any salary arrears.
But, he stated that the state government is owing junior secondary school teachers and local government workers some months’ salaries.
The state is claiming that the junior teachers and council workers are in the payroll of Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
Teachers under the aegis of Kwara State Concerned Teachers have blamed their predicament on Nigerian Union of Teachers’ (NUT) leaders.
The group said the NUT leaders had mortgaged the welfare and interest of its members.
-
We expect all 36 governors to pay new minimum wage – Presidency
The Presidency on Tuesday expressed optimism that all 36 governors of states of the federation will comply with the new minimum wage bill signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Recall that Buhari had on Thursday signed the N30,000 National Minimum Wage Bill into law and directed that the implementation should commence immediately.
It replaces the current N18,000 minimum wage, which had been in place since 2011.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, said the President expected all the states to pay the new wage.
Enang said, “For Mr President, he has signed the bill. Remember that the negotiations took place for over two years and all these things (funding) were taken into account and they were addressed by the committee.
“The governors and the local governments were all heard before eventually it was agreed that N30,000 should be the minimum wage from the initial demand of labour.
“I don’t think we should entertain any fears until there is any implementation problem.”
Enang further explained that the only immediate challenge might be that some of the states had already passed their 2019 budgets before the new Act came into effect.
For such states, he said the option for them was to consider supplementary budgets to make up for the difference between N18,000 and N30,000.
He said, “The only fear may be that some states may have already passed their budgets (2019) on the basis of N18,000, without the inclusion of the wage increase; in which case, they may have to consider a supplementary budget.
“Even the Federal Government today is still operating the 2018 budget, which had N18,000 as the minimum wage. The 2019 budget, which contains the provision for N30,000, has yet to be passed by the National Assembly.
“For the FG, it will only do adjustment of cost when the budget is passed without needing an additional appropriation.”
Some state governors have however expressed their willingness to pay the new minimum wage as one of the ways to boost workers’ productivity.