TheNewsGuru

Tag: Nigeria Labour Congress

  • Strike: NLC summons emergency NEC to discuss Tinubu’s offers

    Strike: NLC summons emergency NEC to discuss Tinubu’s offers

    The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC has summoned National Executive Council meeting to give update on proposed strike action for Tuesday October 2, 2023.

    NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja made this announcement on Sunday night after Labour Unions meeting with Federal Government delegation led by Chief of Staff to President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

    Ugboaja said the virtual meeting will hold on Monday October 2 via zoom.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the NLC will discuss Federal Government offers with Chairmen and Secretaries of different chapters.

    TNG recalls NLC had embarked on warning strike three weeks ago following government inability to provide succour to workers after removal of fuel subsidy.

    President Bola Tinubu had on May 29 announced fuel subsidy removal.

    The Labour Unions are demanding for 100 percent minimum wage increment to cushion the dibilitating effect caused by Tinubu’s economic policies.

  • NLC opposes planned 40% electricity tariff increment

    NLC opposes planned 40% electricity tariff increment

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has kicked against the alleged plan to increase electricity tariffs by 40 per cent as from  July 1, 2023.

    This was made known by the President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said “The plan to increase electricity tariff by 40 per cent by July 1 is both insensitive and callous and reflects an organised indifference to the well-being of consumers, especially, the poor ones.”

    He said further: “The issue of capacity to pay and quality of service delivery are not only germane but superior to any rationalisation by market logic. The service providers, in spite of sundry support, have not been able to meet the threshold of 5000 megawatts.”

  • Fuel Subsidy Removal: Again, FG, NLC set to meet in Abuja

    Fuel Subsidy Removal: Again, FG, NLC set to meet in Abuja

    Following fuel subsidy removal another round of meeting between the Representatives of the Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC have been scheduled for today Monday in Abuja.

    Recall that the NLC had initially threatened to embark on a nationwide strike before the National Inistrial Court NIC jettisoned the idea,

    However, on June 5, NLC announced the suspension of its planned strike after a series of meetings with the federal government.

    The NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, however, made some demands which would cushion the effect of the hike in fuel price and other essential commodities caused by the subsidy removal.

    It is expected that the both parties would harmonize some of the demands in the meeting scheduled for 4pm today.

    According to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachallom Daju, the parties will reconvene at the presidential Villa, Abuja.

  • Fuel Price Hike: Amadi advises NLC on how to deal with FG

    Fuel Price Hike: Amadi advises NLC on how to deal with FG

    Sam Amadi ,the Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts has advised the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) to change their tactics in their dealings with the Federal Government.

    According to Amadi, NLC should demand that the budget for the National Assembly and the Presidency should be slashed.

    The DOS of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts made this post known via his Twitter handle on Wednesday, asking the NLC to look beyond fuel subsidy and focus on accountability and equality.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that negotiations between the federal government and the NLC on Wednesday in Abuja over the fuel subsidy removal ended in a deadlock.

    Findings show  that the new price adjustment of petroleum products currently generating controversies has stimulated the hoarding of fuel by marketers, causing queues in stations.

    The development followed the announcement by President Bola Tinubu, Monday, on removal of fuel subsidy.

    Meanwhile, Amadi has made a list of items, which he described as negotiating advisory to the NLC.

    Below are what Amadi advised NLC to do

    1. Look beyond fuel subsidy, look at accountability and equality
    2. Ask for 2/3 slashing of @nassnigeria and @NGRPresident budget
    3 Ask that $800m WB palliative to be managed by special committee of NLC, TUC, NBA, NMA and farmers club etc
    4 Ask to have social protection established by law equal at least to South Africa’s
    5 Establish a special commission for ESC Rights as required by Item 60(a) of const.”

    6 Ask for immediate probe @nnpclimited accounts and affairs. NLC to chair the probe
    7 Ask for Minimum Wage of 70k

  • PVC: NLC threatens to punish civil servants in Niger state

    PVC: NLC threatens to punish civil servants in Niger state

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Niger state has threatened to punish any civil servant that deliberately refused to collect his/her Permanent Voters Card, PVC, ahead of the general elections in the state.

    This was made known by the state chairman of the body, Comrade Idris Lakpene in Minna.

    He said that any civil servant who refused to collect and showcase his/her Permanent Voters Card, PVC would be stopped from collecting their salaries or faced suspension.

    The chairman decried the situation where citizens of this country would fail to take their Civic responsibility serious

    Lakpene stated, “We are considering a plan to stop workers in the state who have no PVCs from collecting their monthly salary.”

    He also charged civil servants in the state to be fully involved in the political process, arguing, “PVCs would enable us to elect leaders that can better our working conditions and to bring meaningful development to our state.”

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the distribution of PVCs will end next week.

    The process for collection started on December 12th 2022 and it is expected to end on Sunday the 22nd of January, 2023.

    INEC has fixed February 25th, 2023 as the presidential and National Assembly election date, while March 12 has been fixed for gubernatorial and State Assemble elections in the country.

  • We will soon embark on a nationwide strike – NLC president, Wabba

    We will soon embark on a nationwide strike – NLC president, Wabba

    Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC)  president, Ayuba Wabba, has said that the workers’ union will embark on a three-day nationwide strike if the Federal Government doesn’t yield to the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)

    NLC’s scheduled warning protest for Tuesday and Wednesday has already kick-started in Lagos and Abuja.

    Wabba, who spoke in an interview with Channels TV  stated that the workers’ union embarked on a two-day protest against the ongoing ASUU strike not just as a show of solidarity, but because the strike directly affected the NLC.

    He said, “The two-day warning strike is to call for attention for the issues to be resolved promptly. The next level is a three-day national warning strike if nothing has happened after the protest, to show our grievances.

    “We are not on a solidarity action, we are affected directly.”

    Wabba  noted that the ongoing protest was a democratic norm that was constitutional and supported by the international charters, and and added that it was not illegal to carry out such demonstrations on the streets.

    He said, “These are democratic norms everywhere in the world. Even as an individual, you have the right to air your grievances.

    “It is within the provision of our law. It is backed by the United Nations charter for human and peoples rights, African charter for human and peoples rights, and it is there in our constitution — sections 39 and 40.”

    The Nigeria police had warned NLC not to embark on the protest unless it get   clearance from the police or any authority to carry out protests.

    In its reaction, the NLC president, posited that the court has given a pronouncement that citizens do not need permission from the police or any authority to carry out protests.

    According to him, staging a peaceful protest and legal and within one’s fundamental human rights.

    He said, “Even the court has pronounced that you don’t require any permission. It is legal and within your fundamental human rights to protest issues.

    “When people say it’s illegal, I think people should remember that no condition is permanent. We have had some of our current politicians join the NLC to press for similar actions in the past.”

  • OKPANACHI: Kidnapped Kogi NLC Vice Chairman’s brother found dead

    The brother of Vice Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Kogi State, Opaluwa Okpanachi, who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Kogi has been found dead.

     

    Okpanachi, who is the brother to the state’s NLC Vice Chairman, Simeon Opaluwa was kidnapped on Wednesday evening along Ejule-Aloma road while returning from an official assignment in Ugwolawo.

     

    His corpse was found along Ejule Aloma road on Thursday morning by the Police, according to a family source who never wanted his name mentioned to the press.

     

    Late Okpanachi, until his death, was the officer attached to the Primary Health Centre in Ochikala, Aloma.

     

    While he was in the captivity of the kidnappers, a family source said no ransom was demanded, only for his lifeless body to be found.

     

    His remains, according to family members, have been deposited in a morgue.

     

    The family members of late Okpanachi said bullet wounds were found on one of his thighs.

     

    Confirming the incident, the Vice Chairman of Kogi NLC, Simeon Opaluwa said the family was really saddened and devastated over the unfortunate incident.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) recalls that sometime April, officers of the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC,  arrested 13 suspects kidnappers for allegedly abducting an 18-year-old girl, Elizabeth, in Kogi State.

     

    The suspects include Mohammed Abdul (25), Mohammed Ibrahim (24), Samuel Adesina (23), Malik Mohammed (24), Olatoyor Mathew (26), Tenimu Abubakar (25) and Shittu Ibrahim.

     

    Others are Momoh Friday (22), Abdullah Idris (21), Oluyomi Adesewa (24), Mariam Mohammed (22), Yakubu Neifisat (25), and Samson Rosemary (22).

     

    Parading the suspects on Tuesday, the Kogi State Commandant, NSCDC, Suleiman Mafara, said the teenager, Elizabeth, was kidnapped on April 10, 2022, by a kidnap syndicate.

     

    He said through intelligence gathering, his officers uncovered the hideout of the hoodlums and rescued the victim alive.

    “The suspects, led by one Godwin Daniel, kidnapped Miss Elizabeth and took her to a hotel here in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital. My officers, through intelligence reports, tracked their location and arrested these 13 suspects. Their gang leader, as I speak to you, is on the run. We are going to apprehend him as soon as possible,” he added.

     

  • President Buhari hails Oshiomhole as he clocks 70 today

    President Buhari hails Oshiomhole as he clocks 70 today

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, as he clocks 70 on Monday.

     

    President Buhari, in a statement by his media adviser, Femi Adesina, hailed Oshiomhole for the milestone and his salutary contributions to development of democracy and good governance.

     

    The President also praised Oshiomhole for deploying his time and strength to the good of workers and Nigerians as a labour leader and accepting the call into politics to serve his state.

     

    According to the statement: “As the former Governor turns 70, the President prays for his good health, and continued service to God and humanity.

     

    “Comrade Oshiomhole’s leadership strides in various sectors will stand the test of time.

     

    “The President notes the mental soundness and experience of the former APC leader, willingly dedicating himself for the greater good of the country, and acting as the voice of the voiceless in different ramifications.”

     

    Oshiomhole was a former labour leader and also former chairman of the All Progressives Congress.

     

    His team worked for Buhari’s second term victory in 2019.

     

    Oshiomhole was born to Muslim parents. on 4 April 1952 at Iyamho, near Auchi in Edo State.

     

    He converted into Christianity via the influence of his late wife, Clara. He became a Catholic and was given the Christian name of Eric.

     

    However, he seldom uses the name.

     

    After his secondary education, he obtained a job with the Arewa Textiles Company, where he was elected union secretary.

     

    He became a full-time trade union organiser in 1975.

     

    He rose to become the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress in 1999.

     

    Under his watch, the NLC fought several battles, such as the campaign against fuel price increase.

     

    His NLC also negotiated a new minimum wage for workers.

     

    In April 2007, Adams Oshiomhole ran for Governor of Edo State under the Action Congress Party.

     

    Initially, INEC declared him the loser and awarded victory to Professor Oserheimen Osunbor of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

     

    The ensuing legal battles resulted into victory at the Appeal Court on 11 November 2008.

     

    He was then sworn-in as governor of the state and to start the tenure afresh.

     

    Four years after, he won a second term, with a landslide victory.

     

    In June 2018, he was elected chairman of the ruling APC. He however did not finish his term, as political intrigues, which originated from his home state, led to his removal in June 2020.

  • Aviation workers suspend planned nationwide strike

    Aviation workers suspend planned nationwide strike

    Aviation industry’s Associations/Unions have suspended a nationwide industrial action billed to commence Feb. 8.

    Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, said this while briefing newsmen at the end of a conciliation meeting in the early hours of Tuesday in Abuja.

    It will be recalled that the aviation workers under the aegis of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), had threatened to withdraw their services by Feb. 8, over poor welfare and unimplemented agreements with the government.

    Ngige said the two demands of the unions were non-implementation of the minimum wage consequential adjustment in the Aviation Parastatals since 2019 and the non-approval/release of the reviewed conditions of service in the parastatals.

    He said a Memorandum of Settlement (MOS) was reached between the aviation workers and the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

    Ngige said some resolutions were reached after exhaustive deliberations on the issues which the parties agreed as germane.

    “The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), was requested to issue a service wide circular informing all organisations in the public and private sectors that they are bound to implement the National Minimum Wage of 2019/consequential adjustments.

    “The Ministry of Aviation is to circulate the circular on the consequential minimum wage adjustment to all the agencies under the supervision of the ministry.

    “It should also request them to implement the National Minimum Wage consequential adjustment without any further delay and also clarify that this payment became effective from April 18, 2019, when the Minimum Wage was signed into law,” he said.

    Ngige said the meeting agreed that those that had exited the system during the period from April 18, 2019, to date, would also be paid the arrears.

    He added that the meeting agreed that some categories of workers in the Aviation Sector attracted some peculiar allowances, which were not extended to others.

    “The meeting also said those salary structures that are not captured in the Memorandum of Terms of Settlement signed and dated 9th, 14th, 15th 16th, 17th and 18th October, 2019 between the Federal Government and organised labour on the consequential adjustment of the other wages, would attract consequential adjustment.

    “This is as agreed during the negotiations of the Federal Government with the labour centres – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria in October 2019,” he said.

    Ngige said the meeting concluded that all the agencies that had not paid the minimum wage allowances should write to the NSIWC through the Ministry of Aviation for consideration/evaluation.

    He said NSIWC promised to process all as soon as possible and consequently, the parties agreed that the consequential adjustment of the New Minimum Wage of 2019 based on the approved government templates should be implemented on or before the end of the first quarter of 2022.

    Regarding the non-approval/release of the reviewed conditions of service (CoS) of the agencies under the Aviation Ministry, Ngige said the meeting noted that the issue was a protracted one, having been ongoing for about nine years.

    He said the meeting charged the management to take more proactive steps to conclude the review of the conditions of service to boost the morale of the workers and retain the best technical staff in the industry.

    “The meeting was informed that the financial implication of the conditions of service (CoS) for Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has been approved by the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS).

    “That hence the whole process for NIMET has been concluded except for hazard allowances, which would be reconsidered by NSIWC on a sectoral level. Hence, the NSIWC is to release this approved CoS immediately.

    “The meeting, however, noted that the CoS for Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) require establishment input and directed the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation to update the Ministry of Aviation on this aspect of their CoS by Feb. 1.

    “They should also copy the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. The meeting however, agreed that the financial aspect of NAMA and NCAA would be resolved by the PCS by the third week of February,” he said.

    Ngige further said the meeting was also informed that the CoS for Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had been released since 2019.

    He added that there were, however, establishment issues which had been observed and would be forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Aviation by the Management of FAAN for transmission to the OHCSF for urgent action.

    He promised to urgently look into the additional issue introduced by the associations/unions, bothering on the right of workers to freely associate with a Trade Union within the Aviation Industry as stipulated in the Trade Unions Act. Cap 714 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 by the Airline operators.

    He said they agreed that by the end of the first quarter of 2022, the Aviation Ministry should ensure the approval, release and implementation of the renewed CoS for all the workers in the agencies under the Aviation Ministry.

  • Strike: Nasarawa NLC impeaches embattled chairman

    Strike: Nasarawa NLC impeaches embattled chairman

    The Executive Council of the Nasarawa State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has impeached its embattled Chairman, Abdullahi Adeka.

    A statement signed by Ahmed Naibi, the Secretary, said that Adeka was removed for announcing the suspension of the strike, immediately after his reinstatement.

    It said that the “surprising” action violated the resolutions reached at the NLC headquarters as a condition for his reinstatement.

    “In the meeting held at our national secretariat in Abuja on May 23, we all agreed that Adeka must sustain the strike. That was a condition for his reinstatement.

    “We also agreed that his mother union, the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, and all other affiliates of the NLC, must join the strike to maximise its effect.

    “But, instead of sustaining and widening the strike, Adeka announced its suspension, a day after he was reinstated,” the statement said.

    The statement declared that Adeka, by that action, had demonstrated that he was not a trustworthy leader.

    “We have resolved that he stands impeached; Bala Umaru, his deputy, is now the substantive Chairman of NLC in Nasarawa State,” the statement declared.

    It said that the strike action would continue and advised workers to await further directive from the new leadership.

    Some executive council members, who spoke with NAN, accused Adeka of “clearly taking sides with the government”, with many describing his action as “shocking”.

    Adeka had been suspended from office on May 21, when he suddenly declared an end to the strike without due consultation.

    He was reinstated on May 23, after the headquarters intervened, but went on air on May 24, to announce the end of the strike without consulting with other members of the executive council.

    The workers have been on strike since May 12, over the non payment of their salaries.