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  • Medical doctors in Yobe shun NLC strike

    Medical doctors in Yobe shun NLC strike

    The Yobe chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has dissociated itself from the ongoing  nationwide strike embarked by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).

    The association’s Chairman, Dr Abubakar Mala, told newsmen in Damaturu on Monday that the state’s NMA is not part of the strike and will continue to provide medical services to patients.

    He said “we are not joining the NLC strike , we are fully attending to patients, our clinics are open, and we have been in the surgery theater and everywhere, attending to the sick.”

    Mala added that the NMA’s decision to distance itself from the strike was to ensure uninterrupted medical attention to residents.

    He, therefore, urged residents to go to the hospital to access care as doctors,  nurses and other health workers are available to attend to them.

  • ICYMI: Striking workers shut Abuja airport

    ICYMI: Striking workers shut Abuja airport

    Aviation activities were shut down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja on Monday following the nationwide strike declared by organised labour over minimum wage.

    Mr Samuel Wuyep, Chairman of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN), Abuja chapter, confirmed this in Abuja.

    According to him, The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) had declared the strike action to press home their demand on implementation of new minimum wage for workers.

    He said the NLC and TUC had directed aviation service providers, airline operators and all aviation workers nationwide to embark on strike from early hour of June 3.

    “The strike has a lot of impact here. Airport is not a place you are going to joke about, at all.

    “All airports all over the federation are shutdown. Though, we don’t have a clear dichotomy between military and civil aviation but the civil aviation operators have shutdown their services.

    “Passengers that came into the airport were stranded outside. They were not allowed to gain access into the terminal building.  Even if they come in, nobody is there to attend to them, “ he said.

    Wuyep said that all the service providers were closed down and services of aviation workers had been temporarily stopped.

    He added that other affiliates and the assistant agencies within and outside the airport were equally observing the strike.

    “So, we are on top of the game. We are hoping that the government will do something so that everybody will go back to his working place and everything will be normalised,“ he said.

    According to him, medical workers in NAIA were equally gradually shutting down their services.

    Wuyep said that some staffers that went to the clinic  were sent back, adding  that all agencies under the NLC and NTC were in total compliance with the strike.

    He said the passengers that came were calm and observed the rules of the game, as nobody harassed or chased  them away.

    Wuyep, however said that only the international flights were given the leverage to land for now.

    “Right now, the international flights are given the leverage to land. Already, they are coming from far destinations, and the time difference between Nigeria and such countries is something you cannot reverse.

    “Most of them were airborne in Nigerian airspace before the commencement of the strike. Therefore, we will definitely allow them to land. They are landing and departing.

    “But, the grace of today is given to them. After today, by tomorrow, all their services too will be grounded. So we expect the Federal Government to do something,“ he said.

    Strike: Labour unions ground activities at Lagos airport

    Similarly, flight operations and other activities at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal II (MMA2), were grounded on Monday, following a nationwide indefinite strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    Airport unions were seen manning the entrance of the airport as stranded passengers stood by at the MMA2.

    Mr Francis Akinjole, General Secretary, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, said activities at the international wing, would also be grounded on Tuesday.

    He had earlier told passengers to return to their various activities if they had any, adding there was no sign that the strike would be called off soon.

    ”We just do not have any choice than to embark on what we are doing and it is clear.

    ”If the Federal Government signed the new minimum wage today we will leave but if they do not we are starting here today as the commencement day.

    ”Tomorrow, like we said in our notice to the general public, we are going to ground activities at the international wing.

    ”The only reason why we are not starting the international wing today is because we are aware that some flights were already airborne, so we are not as insensitive as some people might want think,” he said.

    Akinjole said the union was prepared for the length of time the strike would last, but called on the federal government to consider the yearnings of Nigerians.

    ”We are prepared to go the whole length. Government should pay the Minimum Living Wage that is what they should do,” he said.

    Also speaking, Mr Patrick Evuarhehe, National Chairman of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) branch of the Association of Nigeria Airport Professional (ANAP), said that no skeletal activity was permitted.

    Evuarhehe said that it was a fight for all and not of selfish interests because ‘an injury to one, is an injury to all’.

    ”Passengers that were here earlier, joined us in this strike because they are in solidarity with us. You understand.

    ”An injury to one is an injury to all, so, every passenger you see are all labour workers, they are actually traveling from here to one assignment or the other.

    ”As it is now, they know that my pain is their pain, so it is very important for them to join the struggle that is why you see many of them around.

    “They are sitting patiently, doing what they are supposed to do because it is very important for us to get this right at least for once in Nigeria,” he said.

    Also, Mr Olayinka Abioye, General Secretary, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) said that the action was a signal to the federal government.

    Abioye said that President Bola Tinubu, during his campaign, promised workers a living wage which he had yet to fulfill.

    ”When President Tinubu was campaigning two years ago, he promised Nigerian workers what is called a living wage.

    ”We can all see that even the proposed N60,000, cannot take anybody from his house to the market,” he said.

    A passenger, Ms Desire Joseph, who planned to fly to Calabar with Ibom Air, said that she was confused and hopeful that the strike would be called off before the day ends.

    Also, Mr Alabi Musibau, an Aero Contractor passenger, who planned to attend a conference in Abuja said that the strike was uncalled for.

    He said that the fight for the minimum wage increment was a spoiler as this could further increase the prices of goods in the market.

    Some other passengers who stood by with their luggages, out of frustration, said they were too angry to talk.

    At the General Aviation Terminal I, managed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN activities were also grounded.

    NLC had earlier notified the public of an indefinite national wide strike beginning June 3.

    In a letter signed by four aviation unions; ATSSSAN, ANAP, NAAPE and NUATE on July 2, notified operators and the general public that it would fully support the NLC in the action at Lagos airports.

    The letter had said that the MMA2 would be fully grounded while the Murtala Muhammed International Airport(MMIA) would begin on Tuesday..

    Aviation agencies, NAMA; FAAN and others were under lock and key with police presence.

  • NLC bickers as soldiers set to take over TCN plants across Nigeria

    NLC bickers as soldiers set to take over TCN plants across Nigeria

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has disclosed receiving coded information that there are plans to deploy soldiers at various plants of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) around the country.

    This is coming after organised labour shut down the national grid at about 2.19 am on Monday, resulting in black out nationwide.

    “We have been duly informed that the TCN management has resorted to the use of the military in its effort at intimidating and harassing workers in its employ who are carrying out their lawful and democratic duties at various TC plants around Nigeria.

    “We warn that the Management of TCN would be held liable for any injury inflicted on any worker by their resort to the use of the powers of the military. It is also important that we inform TCN that deploying military men to its locations is a clear abuse and insult on the military especially in a democracy.

    “We are sure that members of the military so misused by this deployment are not happy with the management and the authorities who have authorised the deployment,” a statement released by Comrade Joe Ajaero, NLC president on the matter reads.

    The NLC president in the statement, stressed that the TCN made false claims regarding shut down of the national grid, adding that the company is not the only one impacted by the massive withdrawal of service across the nation by Nigerian workers.

    The statement reads in full below:

    “The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) categorically states that Nigerian workers will not be intimidated by the management of any organization or government entity over our rightful decision to withdraw services through the indefinite nationwide strike that commenced earlier this morning.

    “The spreading of outright falsehood to mislead the public instead of working with other stakeholders to resolve the issues raised by Nigerian workers via the NLC and TUC is not helpful in any way. It will rather inflame the anger of the suffering masses who are already burdened by the cruel policies of the federal government.

    “It is important that we therefore address the Press statement by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) where they made false claims regarding the indefinite nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

    “The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) should understand that the company is not the only company impacted by the massive withdrawal of service across the nation by Nigerian workers. It should therefore not make it a TCN affair as other organisations also suffer one breakdown in service or the other as a result of the nationwide industrial action.

    The Management of TCN ought to have realised that the NLC and TUC issued a notice to the federal government since the beginning of May, 2024 on the issues of non-completion of the National Minimum Wage negotiation exercise and passage into Law and the vexatious hike in electricity tariff.  We had demanded a completion of the Wage setting process and a reversal of the hike in electricity tariff back to N66 / kwh without any positive response from the government.

    “We had thought that a responsible and proactive Management or organisation would have anticipated the impact of any nationwide strike on its operation and would have joined other stakeholders in urging the federal government to meet the demands of Nigerian workers.

    Unfortunately, the TCN was not responsive enough and could therefore not take adequate steps to assist government avert the indefinite nationwide strike. Perhaps, TCN is not deeply worried about the plight of Nigerian workers who suffer in penury as a result of their poor pay thus decided not to take any positive action. In any case, we are crying because government policies have impoverished us and made living exceedingly difficult.

    “One wonders whether TN’s management needs education on the dynamics of industrial action? It is not true that anybody was manhandled by us in any TCN location. May be, TCN in its effort to scuttle the strike tried to force workers to be at work not realising the resolve of all workers to stay away. Why would the grid not go down when the workers who operate them decide to withdraw their service? That is how it works and it further demonstrates that without workers, no wheel can turn; no work can take place any where.

    Nigerian workers led by the NLC and TUC has exercised due caution and unusual patience in our engagement with our social partners and this restraint has been grossly abused unfortunately which has led us to the present impasse. Trying to buck pass instead of accepting blame and taking necessary steps to put its house in order will not allow the transmission company of Nigeria (TCN) make discernible progress.

    We would like the Organisation to take adequate measures to ensure that it discharges its responsibilities to Nigerians especially the Electricity sector instead of dissipating its energy on trying to insult Nigerian workers by its deliberate peddling of falsehood.

    We have been duly informed that the TCN management has resorted to the use of the military in its effort at intimidating and harassing workers in its employ who are carrying out their lawful and democratic duties at various TC plants around Nigeria. We warn that the Management of TCN would be held liable for any injury inflicted on any worker by their resort to the use of the powers of the military.

    “It is also important that we inform TCN that deploying military men to its locations is a clear abuse and insult on the military especially in a democracy. We are sure that members of the military so misused by this deployment are not happy with the management and the authorities who have authorised the deployment.

    “The NLC and TUC remains steadfast in its commitment to the emancipation of downtrodden Nigerians and will persist in the struggle for a fair and just living wage, as well as the reversal of the excessive electricity tariff hike. We call on all Nigerians to stand in solidarity with us as we demand the implementation of policies that prioritize the well-being of the people. We will not back down and we will not give in to any blackmail, intimidation or harassment.

    “We use this opportunity to appreciate all Nigerians for their solidarity on the first day of this indefinite nationwide engagement and call on them as we move into the second day of this struggle to come out in numbers and join the nationwide industrial action. It is our collective struggle and together, we can throw off the shackles that have kept us marooned in the cesspit of massive and excruciating suffering.

    “Let us meet again at the barricades! We can collectively assist the government to govern our nation better in such a way that the majority benefits from their policies and programs”.

  • We are still on strike – NLC

    We are still on strike – NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said the total and indefinite industrial strike action commenced by workers across the country on Monday is still ongoing.

    This is despite an emergency meeting of the tripartite committee on national minimum wage convened by the federal government and held into the night at the residence of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the tripartite committee on national minimum wage is made up of the federal and state governments, the private sector and organised labour with 37 members.

    Following commencement of the nationwide strike, the federal government convened the meeting with labour with a view to ending the strike action.

    “Until we hear from our organs at our meeting scheduled for today 4th June, we are still on strike,” the NLC stated shortly after the meeting convened by the federal government at the Akume’s residence.

    After exhaustive deliberation and engagement by both parties, certain resolutions were reached at the meeting, while the federal government assured that no worker would be victimised as a result of the industrial action.

    Part of the resolution, it was gathered, is that President Bola Tinubu has made a commitment to pay a national minimum wage that is higher than the N60,000 currently presented by the representatives of the FG in the tripartite committee.

    Also, as an outcome of the meeting, the tripartite committee is to meet everyday for the next one week with a view to arriving at an agreeable national minimum wage with labour undertaking to convene a meeting of its organs immediately to consider this commitment.

  • Strike: NAHCON cautions NLC against disrupting pilgrimage

    Strike: NAHCON cautions NLC against disrupting pilgrimage

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has cautioned the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), against disrupting the ongoing transportation of Nigeria pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

    The Assistant Director, Public Affairs, NAHCON, Mrs Fatima Usara, gave the advice in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

    Usara also empahaised the need for the NLC to respect the sensitivity of “this divine devotion and not to encroach on its movement”.

    “Information reaching NAHCON indicates that there are plans by a section of the NLC to disrupt the ongoing Hajj operations.

    “This is coming in spite of the initial understanding that Hajj flights would not be affected.

    “The commission appreciates concern of the NLC over the welfare of its members, however, NAHCON wants it to respect the sanctity of Hajj as a religious obligation which Muslims do not take lightly.

    “The commission advises NLC to apply caution and not to tamper with the Hajj conveyance as a courtesy to the Muslim faith.

    “Disruptive action against the smoothness of the operation will deprive intending muslims their fundamental right to worship considering the limited time left before closure of Jeddah and Madinah airports for the pilgrimage,” the statement added.

    No fewer than 65,500 Nigerians are expected to perform the 2024 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

    NAHCON records indicate that the commission has so far transported 38,805 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia in 92 flights.

  • NLC strike: FG shifts ground on N60,000 minimum wage

    NLC strike: FG shifts ground on N60,000 minimum wage

    The Federal Government says, in the national interest,  it is ready to offer higher than N60,000 national minimum wage it earlier proposed to the tripartite committee deliberating on the issue.

    The government decision was disclosed at a meeting of the committee convened Monday night by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, after the organised labour embarked on indefinite strike to press its demand on the national minimum wage.

    In a circular jointly issued by the committee members at the end of the meeting, and made available to newsmen, it was disclosed that President Bola Tinubu expressed his commitment to a national minimum wage that is higher than N60,000”.

    “Arising from the above, the Tripartite Committee is to meet everyday for the next one week with a view to arriving at an agreeable national minimum wage”.

    ”Labour in deference to the high esteem of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria’s commitment in above undertakes to convene a meeting of its organs immediately to consider this commitment.

    “The committee also resolved that no worker will be victimised as a result of the industrial action,” the circular read in part.

    In attendance at the meeting  were: Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment.

    For the Organised Labour: Joe Ajaero, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Festus Osifo, President, Trade Union Congress (TUC).

    It will be recalled that following the negotiation by the tripartite committee on national minimum wage  and subsequent withdrawal of Labour from negotiation and it’s indefinite strike, the government had convened the meeting with labour.

  • BREAKING: Defence HQ clarifies presence of Army at SGF’s residence

    BREAKING: Defence HQ clarifies presence of Army at SGF’s residence

    The Nigerian defence headquarters has made clarifications on the presence of army at the venue of the meeting between organised labour and the federal government at the premises of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports SGF George Akume had called for an urgent meeting on Monday with the leaders of the organised labor in response to the ongoing nationwide strike ahead of  Tuesday’s meeting called by the Federal Government’s National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.

    Shortly after the meeting commenced, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) raised an alarm that military men had surrounded the venue of the meeting with the federal government over minimum wage negotiations.

    “Soldiers are presently surrounding the venue of the meeting between Labour and Government at the premises of the SGF. Any attempt to intimidate, provoke or blackmail our leaders at the negotiation table, would be resisted and strike action would further be prolonged.

    “Any attempt to intimidate, provoke or blackmail our leaders at the negotiation table would worsen the issue and further prolong our action indefinitely. Our leaders are acting in accordance with directives of our organs,” NLC posted via its official X (formerly Twitter) account.

    However, in a swift response, the defence headquarters said that the soldiers currently surrounding the venue of the ongoing meeting between NLC and the SGF, accompanied the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who is also attending the meeting.

    “The attention of Army Headquarters has been drawn to a false breaking news by NLC alleging that soldiers currently surround the venue of the ongoing meeting between NLC and the SGF.

    “Kindly note that the NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who is also attending the meeting, arrived at the meeting venue with his retinue of statutorily approved military escorts. Once the meeting is over, the escorts will lead the NSA from the venue.

    “Kindly disregard the deliberate and misleading falsehood being peddled about the presence of the escorts at the meeting,” the Army stated via Facebook.

  • BREAKING: Soldiers surround meeting venue with FG – NLC raises alarm

    BREAKING: Soldiers surround meeting venue with FG – NLC raises alarm

    The Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) has raised an alarm that Military men are currently surrounding the venue of its meeting with the federal government over minimum wage negotiation.

    “Soldiers are presently surrounding the venue of the meeting between Labour and Government at the premises of the SGF,” NLC wrote on X.

    It would be recalled that In a post on its official X handle on Monday, NLC had earlier warned against any attempt to intimidate, provoke or blackmail its leaders at the negotiation table, which would worsen issues.

    The union maintained that such development could further prolong its strike action indefinitely.

  • End strike, return to negotiating table – FG urges Labour

    End strike, return to negotiating table – FG urges Labour

    The Federal Government has appealed to the NLC and TUC  to call off the ongoing strike and return to negotiation table to arrive at befitting minimum wage for workers.

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, made the appeal at a news conference on Monday in Abuja.

    The briefing was addressed by Idris in company of the Minister of State for Labour, Mrs Nkiruka  Onyejiocha and the Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.

    According to Idris, the Tripartite-Committee comprised of the governments, organised labour and the private sector but it was only the organised labour that opted out to embark on strike.

    He explained that, the country belongs to all Nigerians, and that “power grid does not know political party, tribe or religion, adding that when it is shut down, it affects all Nigerians” .

    “We are making a heartfelt and deeply considered appeal to the labour unions to continue along the path of negotiations with the federal and state governments, under the auspices of the tripartite committee.

    “As government, we are desirous of a peaceful outcome, and we will do everything to make this happen.

    “Yesterday, the leadership of the National Assembly met with the Unions. Today, we have offered another invitation to the unions, to meet with us and continue our discussions.

    “We will continue to engage, and make ourselves very available in the context of these negotiations on behalf of the Nigerian people

    “Let me make it clear, that we are not opponents on this negotiating table. We are united by the fact that we want the best for Nigeria and for all 200 million citizens of the country,” Idris said.

    He further explained that the tripartite committee has a responsibility to strike a measured and realistic balance, in the effort to arrive at a new minimum wage for Nigerians.

    According to him, the minimum wage is not only for public sector workers alone, stressing that It will be binding on the private sector as well.

    The Minister added that this reality must be factored into the negotiations.

    “As I have explained earlier, labour’s current proposal of N494,000 is an increase of 1,547 per cent on the existing wage, and translates into an annual wage bill of N9.5 trillion Naira for the federal government alone.

    “This is apart from its cost implications for sub-national governments and private sector employees. Such a wage bill would cripple the Nigerian economy, by leading to massive job losses, especially in the private sector.

    “The National Consumer Credit Scheme and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) are additional significant demonstrations of a determination to bring relief to the people of Nigeria.

    “We want the labour unions to understand that the relief that Nigerians are expecting, and that they fully deserve, will not come only in the form of increased wages.

    “It will also come as efforts to reduce the cost of living, and to ensure that more money stays in the pockets of Nigerians.

    “The President is firmly committed to doing what is right, reasonable and sustainable regarding these minimum wage negotiations.

    “We call on the labour unions to reciprocate this gesture in the interest of the nation,” Idris said.

  • Nationwide Strike: SGF invites Labour Unions for emergency meeting

    Nationwide Strike: SGF invites Labour Unions for emergency meeting

    George Akume the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF,  has summoned organised labour to an emergency meeting following the ongoing indefinite nationwide strike that has crippled economic and social activities in the country.

    Comrade Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria confirmed the meeting to newsmen on Monday.

    He said , labour leaders comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and TUC were heading to the SGF office for the meeting over the omgoing strike.

    “Yes, we are heading there now,” Osifo said.

    Recall that the Labour Unions are asking the Federal Government for a 494,000 minimum wage.