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Tag: NLC

  • NECA flays planned indefinite strike by Labour

    NECA flays planned indefinite strike by Labour

    The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), has urged organised labour to shelve its planned indefinite strike as it could reverse the recent marginal gains on the economy.

    NECA’s Director-General, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, who made the call in a statement on Saturday, said the strike could incapacitate the private sector.

    Oyerinde said that the call for strike was ill-timed and ill-advised, and would not only impoverish Nigerians, “but also escalate the already worrisome unemployment situation”.

    “The call for an indefinite strike even when the Tripartite Committee has not completed its proceedings, is ill-advised.

    “The committee, being a tripartite committee, with equal right and privileges, was to consult extensively and make recommendations to the President and Commander-in-Chief.

    “The president’s final approval will, thereafter, be passed to the National Assembly for legislative action before the president will give assent.

    “Aggrieved parties are at liberty to make representations and freely express their views at the National Assembly before a new National Minimum Wage Bill will be passed into law.

    “While it is normal for parties to have divergent opinion, the President and Commander-in-Chief has the final authority.

    “It is, therefore, worrisome that Organised Labour would call for an indefinite strike when these processes are yet to be concluded,“ he said.

    The director-general, however, said that the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria(OPSN), would do all that was necessary, within extant legislation, to protect its interest and survival, should the strike commence.

    He said that OPSN remains committed to a new national minimum wage.

    He observed, however, that in the current macro-economic circumstances, the odds were greatly stacked against organised businesses with consequential effects on job security.

    “It is our strong view that any amount beyond what the OPSN offered, could further escalate the already worsened health of many businesses, especially the Small and Medium Enterprises, and drive others to the precipice.

    “That situation could potentially compound the bad unemployment rate and worsen the insecurity situation in the country,” he said.

    Oyerinde also called on the Federal Government to fast-track the implementation of reliefs for Nigerians, while reversing, without delay, the recent hike in electricity tariff.

  • Fuel scarcity, electricity blackout loom as NLC strike gathers steam

    Fuel scarcity, electricity blackout loom as NLC strike gathers steam

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has directed its members to comply with the directive of the two labour centres to begin an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday.

    Its General Secretary, Mr Afolabi Olawale, in a statement on Saturday, said the union was committed to ensuring total compliance with the directive.

    Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) declared an indefinite nationwide strike to begin on Monday, to express their grievances over the proposed new minimum wage..

    In a joint statement signed by NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero and TUC President, Mr Festus Osifo, the centres declared the strike over the tripartite committee’s inability to agree on a new minimum wage and the hike in electricity tariff.

    Afolabi said the union was concerned and disturbed with the insensitive attitude of the federal government “to the very critical issue of negotiating a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers”.

    “This is in view of the various socio- economic policies of this administration that have impoverished the working people of this country.

    “Leaders of our great union at all levels, from the units, zones and branches, should immediately put all processes in place to ensure total compliance with this directive.”

    Also, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) said it was mobilising its members to embark on the strike following the directive of NLC and TUC.

    The Acting. General Secretary, Mr Dominic Igwebike, gave the directive to the members in a statement.

    Igwebike said that along with the reasons of inconclusive negotiations on the minimum wage and electricity tariff hike, apartheid categorisation of Nigeria electricity consumers into bands was another, to embark on the strike.

    “Given the above, all national, state, and chapter executives are requested to start the mobilisation of our members in total compliance with this directive to ensure the government does the right thing as stated above.

    “The withdrawal of services becomes effective on Sunday 2nd June by 12.00 midnight, “ the union leader said.

  • Real reason Labour declared indefinite strike

    Real reason Labour declared indefinite strike

    Leadership of organised labour has declared an indefinite nationwide strike, starting from Monday.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) declared the strike at the end of a joint emergency meeting on Friday in Abuja.

    NLC and TUC had during the May Day celebration issued the Federal Government an ultimatum to ensure that negotiation on new national minimum wage was concluded by May 31.

    The President of TUC, Festus Osifo, told newsmen that the strike had become necessary as the government declined to increase the N60,000 wage it offered on Friday during the meeting of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage.

    Osifo also said that the strike was imperative due to the refusal of government to reverse the hike in electricity tariff.

    “We are hereby declaring the commencement of a nationwide industrial action, effective from Sunday midnight June 2 , 2024,and this strike shall be indefinite.

    “We are united on this and we believe that this is the way forward,” he said.

  • Minimum Wage: We stand on May 31 ultimatum – Labour

    Minimum Wage: We stand on May 31 ultimatum – Labour

    The Organised Labour has reiterated its May 31 ultimatum for the Federal Government to finalise the new national minimum wage fixing process for workers.

    The position was contained in a communique issued at the end of a joint emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    In the communique jointly signed by Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President and Mr Festus Osifo, President of TUC, the organised labour said it’s NEC had thoroughly deliberated on the issue and  considered the current realities as they affects Nigerian workers and masses.

    Labour noted that NEC appreciated the efforts made thus far, but,  emphasised the urgency of reaching a fair and equitable agreement.

    “We need an agreement that will genuinely reflect the true value of Nigerian workers’ contributions to the nation’s development and the current crisis of survival facing Nigerians as a result of government’s policies.

    “The NEC affirms its commitment to ensuring that the interests and welfare of workers are adequately protected in the negotiation process.

    “The NEC-in-session therefore reiterates the ultimatum issued by the NLC and TUC to the federal government, which expires on the last day of this month,” the communiqué read.

    Also in the communiqué the organised labour directed all state councils whose state governments were yet to fully implement the N30,000 national minimum wage and its consequential adjustments to immediately issue a joint two-week ultimatum to the culpable state governments to avert industrial action.

    It also reaffirmed its demands for an immediate reversal of the tariff hike and the “vexatious apartheid categorisation into bands to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian workers and citizens”.

    Labour also gave the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the federal government May 31 ultimatum to meet the demands

    “In the event that the government fails to meet the demands outlined within the stipulated timeframe, the NEC authorizes the leadership of the NLC and TUC to take appropriate actions.

    “This including, but not limited to the mobilisation of workers for peaceful protests and industrial actions, to press home these demands for social justice and workers’ rights,” the communiqué read in part

    The organised labour emphasised the non-negotiable nature of the demands and urged the government to prioritise the resolution of the issues in the best interest of industrial peace.

    It called on all affiliate unions, and workers including Civil Society Organisations across Nigeria to remain united and steadfast in solidarity during the critical period.

  • Labour demands complete reversal of power sector privatisation

    Labour demands complete reversal of power sector privatisation

    The Organised Labour has demanded for the complete reversal of the power sector privatisation and recovery of all public electricity assets sold.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) made the demands while picketing the headquarters of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) over hike in electricity tariff on Monday in Abuja.

    The protesting workers carried placards with inscriptions such as,’We are not generator Republic,’ IMF, World Bank, leave Nigeria Power Sector alone, “Let the poor breathe. Give us affordable and constant light, among others.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President while addressing newsmen said that the privatisation of the power sector was a ‘colossal failure’.

    NERC had recently announced hike in electricity tariff across the nation from N65/kwh to N225/Kwh.

    The organised labour had rejected the increase in the electricity tariff and therefore called for a reversal.

    According to him, Organised Labour in Nigeria demands the complete reversal of the power sector privatisation and the recovery of all public electricity assets.

    “That is which are sold cheap to largely inexperienced, technically deficient and financially challenged private investors.

    “As workers are hit hardest by the increase in electricity tariff. Unlike business people, wage earning workers cannot adjust their income when the cost of utilities are increased.

    “The stagnancy in wage amidst increases in electricity and refined petroleum products push workers over and beyond the limits of sanity and survival.

    “Small and medium scale businesses which accommodates millions of workers in the informal economy is severally affected by the increases in energy cost.

    “This have led to shutdown of business thus blooming Nigeria unemployment market,” he said.

    He therefore, said that Nigeria workers rejected the recent increase in electricity tariff and the associated upgrading and downgrading of customers from one Band to another.

    Ajaero further called on government to respect the Sept. 2021 agreement with Labour that reinforced in 2023 agreement that government must halt further increase in the tariff of public utilities until certain conditions were met.

    He said that this include the review of the privatisation exercise, de- dollarization of gas supply to electricity generation, distribution of pre paid meters to all electricity consumers in Nigeria, among others.

    The NLC president also noted that before the increase in electricity tariff, NERC would have called for a stakeholders meeting for proper consultation.

    Mr Sanusi Garba, Chairman of NERC, commended Labour for its peaceful demonstration in respect of issues affecting the power sector.

    According to him, we have taken input from your demands related to the affordability of the tariff issued by the commission, we have also listened to you and we have listened to the concerns of Nigerians.

    “I want to assure you that we will make adequate representation on the policy side on the issue of affordability of tariffs.

    “We also took note on your call for the diversification of energy sources and I will like to say that the Zukeru 700 mega watt power plant is already on,” he said.

    The organised labour also went to the Ministry of Power and Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

  • New electricity tariff capable of destroying nation’s economy – NLC

    New electricity tariff capable of destroying nation’s economy – NLC

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), in Kebbi State says the increase in electricity tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), is “capable of destroying the economic prosperity of the nation”.

    The state Chairman of the NLC, Alhaji Murtala Usman stated this when leadership of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) picketed the offices of the Kaduna Electric Distribution Company (KAEDCO), and the NERC in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.

    According to him, the increase in electricity tariff has negative dimensions multiple times.

    “Manufacturers will increase prices of goods, transport fares will skyrocket, welders and other end users of electricity will be thrown out of business while many Nigerians will languish in darkness because of inability to pay the increase,” he warned.

    Usman said that there was no nation in the world which did not subsidize electricity and petrol, adding that,” Nigeria is an oil producing country and is not an importer of electricity, we generate power domestically.

    “God has endowed us with these resources in abundance, these are the rights of the citizens.”

    He reminded the government that petrol and electricity were being generated by public funds and must be accessible to the citizenry cheaply and comfortably.

    On the issue of proposed minimum wage of N615, 000, Usman, said the NLC and TUC considered many variables before arriving at the figure in view of the hyper-inflation in the country.

    “We are here to peacefully picket the offices of KAEDCO and NERC for few hours to send signal to the government and the authorities concerned to rescind the decision after which the organised labour would chart the next course of action,” the chairman said.

  • Tariff hike: Workers stranded as NLC, TUC shut down Jos DisCo, TCN offices

    Tariff hike: Workers stranded as NLC, TUC shut down Jos DisCo, TCN offices

    Workers stranded as the offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCo) in Bauchi have been sealed by officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

    The development followed non-compliance to letters allegedly written to electricity operators and regulators to reduce electricity costs and introduce bands for consumers in the state.

    The leadership and members of the two unions converged at the entrance of the main office of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company, where they sealed the gate and prevented staff and other visitors from entering the building.

    The NLC and TUC enforcement moved to the NERC and TCN offices in different locations within Bauchi metropolis to ensure they were also closed.

    During the peaceful protest, members of the two unions were seen displaying placards with various inscriptions, like “NLC/TUC Says No To Exploitation,” “No Segregation in Power Supply,” and “No More Band A, B, or even Z.”

    Addressing their members, Bauchi State NLC Chairperson, Comrade Dauda Shuaibu, said that the union’s SWC held a meeting in Abuja on April 30 and wrote to the discos to make an immediate reversal of the new tariff.

    “The joint NEC of the NLC and TUC wrote the same letter to them to reverse the tariff, and we issued a letter which we are expecting them to reverse. Their failure to reverse it is the result of what we are implementing here this morning and across the nation.”

    “We have received reliable information that the JEDC office in Yelwa is selling units and making remittances, we are going there to stop that. We will ensure that the entire office were shut down, no operations.

    “It’s a clarion call for all of us to stand resolutely. We have started this struggle, and there is no going back until the new tariff on electricity is reversed.

    “We know how we are suffering, and everyone knows that Nigerians are facing hard times. Even with the increase, the supply is not there.

    “Therefore, we are calling on the Federal Government to immediately reverse it. Otherwise, there is no going back, we will shut down the whole electricity supply system in this country,” he said.

    Many workers are already stranded over this development in Jos.

  • NLC rejects CBN’s cybersecurity levy

    NLC rejects CBN’s cybersecurity levy

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the recent directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of 0.5 (0.005) per cent Cybersecurity Levy on electronic transfers.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President stated the NLC position in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Ajaero was reacting to a recent circular issued by the CBN, mandating banks and payment service operators to effect the deductions, effective in two weeks.

    The CBN has said that the move, ‘ostensibly aimed at bolstering cybersecurity measures, threatens to exacerbate the financial strain already faced by the populace’.

    Ajaero said the NLC vehemently condemned the directives and therefore called for immediate stoppage and reversal of the policy.

    According to him, this levy, to be implemented by deduction at the transaction origination, is yet another burden on the shoulders of hardworking Nigerians.

    “The Nigeria Labour Congress recognises the importance of cybersecurity in today’s digital age.

    “However, imposing such a levy on electronic transactions, without due consideration for its implications on workers and the vulnerable segments of society, is unjustifiable.

    “This levy stands as another tax too much for Nigerians, burdening them with additional financial responsibilities.

    “We see in this levy as another gang up by the ruling elite to continue its extortion and exploitation of hapless and helpless workers and the masses,”he said.

    He noted that while the CBN had exempted interbank transfers and loans transactions from the levy, the broader impact on everyday transactions would not be overlooked.

    He added that such deductions directly affect the disposable income of workers and further diminish the purchasing power of the common citizen.

    The NLC president also noted that domestic manufacturers and other businesses were already shuttering as a result of the stifling socioeconomic environment.

    He added that, yet, instead of creating a business-friendly environment to encourage greater investments in the economy, the opposite seems to be what is being practised.

    Ajaero therefore, called on the Federal Government to reconsider the directives and prioritise policies that alleviate the financial burdens of Nigerians.

    “We urge a collaborative approach between the government, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders to develop sustainable cybersecurity measures that do not unduly burden the populace.

    “We reiterate our commitment to championing the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers and masses,”he said.

  • Workers’ Day: NLC, TUC appeal to FG to address nation’s challenges

    Workers’ Day: NLC, TUC appeal to FG to address nation’s challenges

    The  Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and  Trade Union Congress (TUC) have appealed to the Federal Government to address challenges facing Nigerians before things get out of hand.

    Presidents of  the  unions, Mr Joe Ajaero and Mr Fetus Osifo made the appeal on Wednesday in a joint speech to mark the  2024 Workers’ Day in Abuja.

    They listed such challenges as ranging from harsh economy, insecurity, power/energy sectors and unemployment, among others.

    They said: “Our nation continues to suffer variously as forces of centrifuge wield greater stranglehold upon it, as the citizenry grows more disillusioned.

    “This has persistently reduced civic ownership of the policies, actions and institutions of governance deepening and exacerbating the disconnect between the state and the people.

    “The various agitations around the country for a restructured nation that will be more compact thus nimble to work more effectively and efficiently in delivering greater benefits to the citizenry are manifestations of this,” they said

    The labour leaders added that the increasing spates of violent outbursts around the nation were all expressions of citizens’ frustration with the structures of governance in the country.

    They noted that the violent expression were manifested in clamour for Yoruba nation, IPOB and the Arewa elders’ open disenchantment with governance

    “Our nation continues to manifest in its choice of government actions and decisions deeper pleadings to the forces of nepotism and primordiality.

    “These forces rather than abate in our governance journey especially in a government that was elected in a heavily divisive election cycle, seemed to have strengthened its grip,” they said.

    The duo appealed to President Tinubu to use the opportunity of his power to work towards bringing all the divides in the nation together.

    “We, after the last presidential election, had thought that the present government at the centre would have used the opportunity which the outcome of the last presidential election presented to work towards bringing all the divides in the nation together.

    “We had truly expected a governance framework that would have reflected the nature of the presidential election results as announced by INEC which shows the ruling securing 36 per cent of the total votes cast.

    “Such outcomes would have demanded a more humble and inclusive approach to governance if we are to heal the nation and make progress but that unfortunately has not been the case,” they said.

    The labour leader, nevertheless, expressed hope that if the present government and its institutions implement policies that safeguard the dignity, unity and value of the workforce and the people, it would bolster democracy and fortify the supporting institutions.

    “Conversely, failing to do so weakens democracy, leading to periods of crisis, as we continue to witness now in our nation as was further demonstrated by the recent outbursts in Ibadan few weeks ago and in other parts of the country.

    “We believe that it is now time for us as a nation to come together to create a genuine dialogue of survival.

    “Instead of pretending that all is well with our nation when we are in dire straits, it is crucial for all cleavages in our nation to be brought together to sincerely discuss the national question.

    “We must restructure to reposition our nation to work for the majority,” they said.

    The theme of the  2024 Workers’ Day is, ‘People First’.

  • Electricity: NLC, TUC condemn higher tariff for non-existent electricity

    Electricity: NLC, TUC condemn higher tariff for non-existent electricity

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC),  have appealed to the  Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Power Sector operators,  to reverse the  increase in electricity tariff within  one week.

    President of  the  unions, Mr Joe Ajaero and Mr Fetus Osifo made the call on Wednesday in a joint speeche to  mark the  2024 Workers’ Day in Abuja.

    The duo expressed dissatisfaction over epileptic power situation in the country which is affecting  economic growth of the country.

    According to them, it’s imperative that any nation incapable of effectively and efficiently managing its energy resources, faces certain ruin.

    “One of the pivotal factors constraining our nation is our glaring incompetence in managing this sector for the collective welfare of our citizens.

    “Power, regardless of its source, remains paramount in Kickstarting any economy, while oil and gas are indispensable for robust energy success in every country. “

    They said it was absolutely critical for the government to collaborate with the people to establish frameworks that ensure energy works for all Nigerian.

    According to the duo, the plight of the power sector remains unchanged over a decade after privatisation of the sector.

    “The reasons are glaringly evident. As long as those who sold the companies remain the buyers, Nigerians will continue to face formidable challenges in the power sector.

    ” It is unethical to force Nigerians to pay higher tariff for non-existent electricity.

    “Estimated billing is an extortion and a day light robbery against Nigerians, ” the duo said. ”