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Tag: NLC

  • BREAKING: Labour opens up on resuming strike tomorrow

    BREAKING: Labour opens up on resuming strike tomorrow

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared organised labour will not resume strike tomorrow (Tuesday) to further press the government for increase in minimum wage paid workers in the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports NLC President, Joe Ajaero made this known on Monday at a labour conference organised by the International Labour Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Recall that organised labour relaxed for one-week the indefinite nationwide strike declared last Monday to allow continuation of negotiations.

    Labour had declared an indefinite nationwide strike, midnight of June 2, to press home its demands of  non conclusion of national minimum wage fixing and non reversal of hike in electricity tariff.

    Labour relaxed the indefinite strike, following the resolution by the federal government to offer more than the N60,000, it put forward to the tripartite committee.

    The government had presented a N62,000 minimum wage to labour, following renewed negotions. However, labour had pegged it demand on N250,000.

    Speaking in Geneva, Ajaero ruled out labour will resume the strike on Tuesday, stressing that organised labour is waiting for the pronouncement of President Bola Tinubu on the matter.

    “The tripartite committee submitted two figures to the President. Government and employers proposed N62,000 while labour proposed N250,000. We are waiting for the decision of the President. Our National Executive Council (NEC) will deliberate on the new figure when it is out.

    “We cannot declare strike now because the figures are with the President. We will wait for the President’s decision. During the tenure of the immediate past President, the figure that was proposed to him was N27,000 by the tripartite committee but he increased it to N30,000.

    “We are hopeful that this President will do the right thing. The President had noted that the difference between N62,000 and N250,000 is a wide gulf,” Ajaero said.

  • National Grid: Nigerians send strong message to Labour as union set to embark on fresh strike

    National Grid: Nigerians send strong message to Labour as union set to embark on fresh strike

    Nigerians have taken to social media to appeal to the organised Labour, Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) not to shut down the national grid ahead of a fresh industrial strike that may be declared.

    It would be recalled that the labour union shut down the national grid resulting in a blackout nationwide after they kicked off their indefinite nationwide strike on June 3rd.

    According to TCN, in a statement signed by Ndidi Mbah, it’s general manager, workers at the Benin Transmission Operator were sent from the control room and beaten by the protesters.

    Last week, the organized labour unsuccessfully negotiated with the federal government on a new national minimum wage and may embark on a fresh strike starting from tomorrow.

    Following the development, Netizens via social media are pleading with the labour unions to reconsider and not cut power supply.

    Sir David Onyemaizu wrote: “I’m not saying NLC shouldn’t go on strike, but whatever they do, make dem no touch that National Grid. Petrol is 750/litre. End.”

    Man of Letters. wrote: “Do what you have to, but keep your hands of the National Grid this time. For the sake of some of us who want to watch Euros and other patriotic citizens who care about people in hospitals who need light in ICU. Thanks and God bless.”

    @Morris_Monye wrote: “As much as we don’t want NLC to touch National grid, they will. It’s an inconvenience but they will anyways to drive home the point.”

    Sir David Onyemaizu wrote; “Imagine spending nearly 9 billion on travel expenses & funding Hajj pilgrimage with billions.Then turning around & telling the average Nigerian worker to make sacrifices because Nigeria cannot afford to pay a living wage. Shut down the National Grid, shut down everything.”

    Omo Kogi (Yagba) wrote: “NLC can strike but abeg make Unna no go near National Grid again ooo. After the strike Tuesday, NLC should declare a nationwide protest on Wednesday. What is good for Goodluck Jonathan is also good for Tinubu.”

  • NLC told to consider realistic, sustainable minimum wage

    NLC told to consider realistic, sustainable minimum wage

    The Committee of Youths on Mobilisation and Sensitisation (CYMS), has called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to align its minimum wage demand with governments’ ability to pay sustainably.

    Its Director-General, Mr Obinna Nwaka, made the call during a thanksgiving service to mark the end of the 2024 Youths’ Week at the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Nyanya, Abuja on Sunday.

    The theme of the thanksgiving service was, “Promotion of Peaceful Coexistence and Religious Co-creation in our Nation”.

    Nwaka said that considering the current economic challenges in the country, “the federal and state governments may struggle to pay, if the amount is unrealistic.”

    According to him, the N250,000 demand as minimum wage by the NLC for workers is not sustainable, considering the country’s current financial situation.

    He pointed out that Nigeria is still recovering from the economic difficulties of the past administration and warned against making promises that could destabilise the nation.

    He also argued that a substantial salary increase would be insufficient if critical infrastructure and public services remain inadequate.

    He advised labour to also pay attention to addressing broader systemic issues rather than focusing solely on wage increase.

    “We are in the same shoes. There are other areas; labour for example can advocate for good governance; it’s not just all about minimum wage,” he added.

    He called on the NLC to channel their efforts towards advocating for improved healthcare and education services, including the provisions of critical infrastructure.

    This, he believes, could have a more significant impact on the quality of life of the Nigerian workers.

    “Even if they are paying you 500,000 Naira as a salary, it will not be enough, if a healthcare facility is not there; if infrastructure is not there; and if we cannot even send our children to a public school.

    “The NLC should focus on motivating the government to invest in these essential sectors,” he said.

    Earlier, the minister in charge, Rev. Samuel Labuja, said that the conversations, throughout the youths’ week, reflected the nation’s quest for unity and development.

    Labuja advised the youths to maximise their potential and invest in self-reliance ventures, as against depending on white-collar jobs.

    “The youths should understand that we can’t live together without peace, and the best we can do to make the nation move forward is to live in peace.

    “Youths should learn not to depend on salary alone. They should make use of their God-given talent to earn more resources.

    “Whatever you are doing, do it well to the glory of God to earn a living,” he said.

    On his part, the Church’s Youths President, Mr Bobby Odia, described the week-long youths’ conference as impactful.

    Odia particularly said that the youths, as leaders of tomorrow, have understood the need to contribute their resources towards the development of the country.

    “We just celebrated the 2024 Youths’ Week with the theme, “Stand Firm and Take Charge”, and for us to be the future of tomorrow, we have to utilise our energy for the good of our nation,” he said.

  • Reps differ over labour’s approach to indefinite strike

    Reps differ over labour’s approach to indefinite strike

    The House of Representatives has demanded a living wage for Nigerian workers rather than the Federal Government’s proposed minimum wage.

    The lawmakers,  however,  differed on the approach adopted by organised labour during the two-day strike by shutting down the national grid and closing the nation’s airports and  health sector.

    Rep. Ali Jesi (APC-Gombe) had moved a motion in Abuja on Tuesday on the urgent  need to consider the  imperatives of fixing a living wage for Nigerian workers to ameliorate current economic hardship.

    Presenting his motion, the lawmaker commended the labour unions for their commitment toward negotiating a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers at such critical period and resolved to call off the strike in the interim.

    He said that in line with the provisions of Section 3(4) of the Act, the extant minimum wage which commenced on April 18, 2019 has expired after five years on April 18, 2024.

    He, however, called for a further review of the existing Act.

    Contributing to the debate, Rep Aliu Madaki (NNPP-Kano),  noted that what the Nigerian workers needed was a living wage and not a minimum wage.

    He added that the Federal Government should be able to pay the living wage,  considering the economic situation in the country.

    Rep. Kingsley Chinda, Minority Leader of the house said: “Can we say as  leaders,  we have carried out the purpose of governance which is hinged on security and the welfare of the people.

    “Have we provided these basic needs which is our primary purpose of being elected, can someone who is earning N50, 000 depend on such with the high cost of house rent,?”

    According to him, we must be realistic by providing living wage for workers, it is sad that the government is proposing a minimum wage.

    He, however, cautioned the labour unions against   overstepping boundaries, adding that switching off national grid was not in the interest of the people they are fighting for.

    “Some people are on life support at the hospital; some were at the airport to board flight but could not make it due to the strike.”

    He urged the lawmakers to expedite action on the yet to be proposed minimum wage amendment bill once it was brought before it.

    “Let us pass the minimum wage bill with the speed at which we pass the national anthem, the bill should be recalled and passed  with the speed of light.”

    Rep. Stanley Adedeji (APC-Oyo) said that  following the shutting down of the national grid as a result of the strike, there was need to criminalise such act.

    According to him, you cannot go on industrials action and kill people.

    Rep. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the house, who presided over plenary,  said that people who were on essential services should not go on strike.

    He said  it was against the law for electricity workers, hospitals, airports among others to go on strike.

    He added that embarking on strike by those mentioned could have  negative effects and disrupted activities.

    Adopting the motion, the house urged government to redirect the focus of the negotiations from fixing a new minimum wage to fixing a realistic living wage for Nigerians,

    The house further urged the government to consider the downward review of electricity tariff, to reduce the suffering of Nigerians.

    The house also  referred the matter to the its Committee on Labour and Employment, to get back to it in one week.

  • Strike: Operations restart at Abuja airport

    Strike: Operations restart at Abuja airport

    Aviation workers have restarted operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, following the suspension of the indefinite strike by the organised labour.

    Mr Samuel Wuyep, Chairman of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN), Abuja chapter, disclosed on Tuesday that passengers had started coming into the domestic wing to check-in.

    It would be recalled that labour had declared an indefinite nationwide strike, midnight of June 2, to press home its demands of  non conclusion of national minimum wage fixing and non reversal of hike in  electricity tariff.

    However, in a communiqué jointly issued by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the organised labour said it had relaxed the strike for one-week, to allow continuation of negotiations

    Wuyep disclosed that following the suspension of the strike, normalcy had returned to the airport and it was fully opened for operations.

    “There are few scheduled flights that will be operated in the remaining hours of the day, so they have started checking-in  passengers.

    “Though, the traffic is very low, a lot of people came in the morning and observed that the locked -up exercise was still ongoing, so they decided to go back.

    “Some who managed to wait, got their flights rescheduled, and were told when to come back, “ he said.

    According to him, many cabin crew and pilots we nore seen working toward the expected arrival of airplanes in order to continue normal flying to other airports.

    Wuyep mentioned Value Jet, Ibom Air, Air peace and United Nigeria Airlines , among local flights that had arrived Abuja today.

    The union leader said the strike could not affect the international flights as the strike was called off before the end of the time given.

    “In the international wing, since the frame time that we gave to them would elapse today ,being June 4, the international airlines came in the morning, disembarked their passengers.

    “While they were disembarking their passengers, coincidentally, the strike was called off and some of them that were on ground decided to check-in the passengers, and normal businesses continued.

    “Everything is okay. The airport has returned to its normal businesses.  The international Airlines that arrived in the morning were Ethiopia airline, Egypt Air, among others at the international wing,“ he said.

    According to him, more international airlines are expected later in the day as the skies were opened, and the processes of check-in were on.

    Wuyep advised passengers that had scheduled flights to contact the airline toward processing their travelling documents for the  trip.

  • VIDEO: WATCH moment NLC, president give reasons why nationwide strike was suspended

    VIDEO: WATCH moment NLC, president give reasons why nationwide strike was suspended

    A video clip has emerged online showing NLC president, Joe Ajaero explaining why organised labour suspended the nationwide strike on Tuesday.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG in the video who spoke in pidgin English said already 100percent has been secured as minimum wage and any other thing is an increase.

    WATCH:

  • NLC, TUC release fresh update on suspended strike

    NLC, TUC release fresh update on suspended strike

    Organised Labour on Tuesday relaxed the indefinite nationwide strike declared on Monday, for one-week, to allow continuation of negotiations.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) made this known in a communique issued at the end of a joint National Executive Council meeting in Abuja.

    It would be recalled that labour had declared an indefinite nationwide strike, midnight of June 2, to press home its demands of  non conclusion of national minimum wage fixing and non reversal of hike in  electricity tariff.

    The communique was jointly signed by Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President and Mr Festus Osifo, President of TUC.

    Ajaero said NEC relaxed the indefinite strike, following the resolution by the federal government to offer more than the N60,000, it put forward to the tripartite committee.

    According to Ajaero, in view of the deliberations, the NEC-in-session resolved that there is a greater need to create the right ambience for negotiation to continue unhindered.

    “The indefinite nationwide strike action is therefore relaxed for one week from today to allow the federal government commit to a concrete and acceptable national minimum wage;.

    “Also to take definite steps to reverse the electricity tariff hike back to N66/kwh and abolish the discriminatory classification of electricity consumers into Bands.

    “The NLC and TUC National Leadership are mandated to continue to maintain open channels of communication with the Federal Government to negotiate and secure favourable outcomes for Nigerian workers and people.

    “All affiliate unions and State Councils are therefore, directed to relax the indefinite nationwide strike and return to their respective workplaces immediately,” he said.

    Ajaero added that the NEC-in-session expressed profound gratitude to Nigerian workers and the general public for their unwavering support and solidarity in this critical struggle for improved living and working conditions.

    He said that the NLC and TUC remained committed to “pursuing all necessary actions to protect the rights and welfare of all Nigerian people and workers as we urge all to await further directives while the negotiation continues.”

  • Nigerian workers deserve living wage – ZLP

    Nigerian workers deserve living wage – ZLP

    The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) says Nigerian workers deserve living wage in order to cope with prevailing  economic realities and render quality service to the nation.

    The Lagos State Chairman of ZLP, Mr Adekunle Mode-Adenipebi, said  this in an interview on Tuesday in Lagos.

    Mode-Adenipebi, who was also the party’s gubernatorial candidate in Lagos in the 2023 elections , said that the government must go beyond minimum wage to  living wage for workers.

    He was reacting to impasse between the organised labour and the Federal Government on the new minimum wage for workers, which led to the strike declared by labour unions on Monday.

    “There is nothing wrong for the Federal Government to provide workers living wage far above the much talked-about minimum wage, given  the inflation rate at the moment.

    “The Organised Labour is right by not agreeing with the N60,000 new minimum wage proposed by the government.

    “What can N60,000 buy in the market today for a young couple not to talk of a family of five?

    “We plead with the government  to listen to workers  and meet the  demands of labour .This is the way to go for workers to breathe,” he said.

    The chairman noted that there is hardship in the land  and that  the per capital income had dropped drastically.

    Mode-Adenipebi added: “The government must step up its game and make sure that the standard of living is elevated.

    “We want to plead with the government  to consider not only the workers in the organiser sector  by increasing their salaries, but those who are not workers.

    The chairman, however, urged  labour  to also fight for the welfare of workers not in the organised sector.

    “The Nigerian workers should go beyond the organised sector. What is the labour doing to make sure that workers in this sector also live well?

    “We still have many teachers with good degree certificates collecting N40,000 and below in private schools, factories and others.

    “It is high time the NLC and TUC considered the highly oppressed workers out of the organised sector and defend them,” he said.

    He urged the government to come up with policies to alleviate the hardships faced  by  workers out of the organised sector.

    Despite earlier pleas by the government  for consideration, the organised labour on Monday declared an indefinite strike to push for a new national minimum wage for workers.

    The industrial action, which has been suspended, followed a series of unsuccessful negotiations involving the the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and government’s representatives .

    Representatives of labour had on May 28 walked out of the Tripartite Committee meeting on minimum wage after the government increased its offer from N57,000 to N60,000.

    The government and the Organised Private Sector had initially proposed ₦48,000, then ₦54,000 and N57,000, which were all rejected by labour.

    The organised labour had also proposed ₦615,000 as new minimum wage, but later came down to ₦497,000 and then to ₦494,000, to reflect the current rising cost of living.

    Meanwhile, following the Federal Government expression of commitment to raising the proposed minimum wage of N60,000 at a meeting with labour leaders on Monday evening, the organised has just announced suspension of the industrial action for a week.

  • Strike: Airport gates now open

    Strike: Airport gates now open

    Domestic airports, Murtala Mohammed Airport Terminal II operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd., and the General Aviation Terminal I managed by the Federal  Airports Authority of Nigeria have opened their gates.

    On Tuesday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) suspended their two-day industrial action.

    The strike which commenced on Monday was called to protest the failure of the Federal Government to approve new minimum wage by May 31 as well as its failure to reverse the hike in electricity tariff.

    Details to follow…

  • BREAKING: Labour suspends strike

    BREAKING: Labour suspends strike

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended the industrial strike action.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports organised labour embarked on the strike on Monday to press home their demand for payment of living wage in the country.

    However, following intervention by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the labour unions have agreed to suspend the strike for negotiations to continue.

    President of TUC, Festus Osifo said on Tuesday in Abuja that the strike has been suspended. Osifo added that a communique would be issued shortly.

    It was gathered that labour agreed to suspend the strike for five (5) days, following a joint extraordinary national executive council meeting of the NLC and TUC.

    Deputy National Secretary of the Association of Air Transport Association of Nigeria (ATTSAN), Francis Akinjorin also confirmed that the action was momentary.

    “It is a suspension; it is not a call-off. We are relaxing the action for one week and not suspending the strike, to give the federal government tlone week grace and test their sincerity,” Akinjorin said.

     

    Details shortly…