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  • Strike: What we want – NLC, TUC

    Strike: What we want – NLC, TUC

    Organised labour on Thursday issued a 14-day ultimatum to the federal government to implement a 16-point agreement.

    The ultimatum begins on Feb. 9, according to a statement jointly signed by NLC president, Mr Joe Ajaero, and Mr Festus Osifo, President, Trade Union Congress (TUC).

    Organised labour and the Federal Government reached a 16-point agreement on Oct. 2, 2023 to address hardships occasioned by fuel subsidy removal and other issues.

    In their statement on Thursday, the NLC and the TUC expressed concern over the non-implementation of the October 2023 agreement.

    “In spite of the passage of time, majority of these agreements remain unmet or negligibly addressed, indicating a disregard for the principles of good faith, welfare and rights of Nigerian workers and Nigerians.

    “Government’s failure to uphold its end of the bargain is deeply regrettable and unacceptable to the working people and the citizenry.

    “Recognising the imperative of ensuring and protecting the rights and dignity of Nigerians, the NLC and TUC hereby issue an ultimatum to the Federal Government to honour its part of the agreement within 14 days.

    “The ultimatum begins to count from Feb. 9,’’ the labour leaders stated.

    They noted that the agreement focused on addressing the general harsh socioeconomic consequences of the hike in the price of petrol and the devaluation of the naira.

    They noted also that the dual policies had dire economic consequences for the masses and for Nigerian workers.

    “Widespread hunger is now ravishing millions of Nigerians, with workers’ purchasing power significantly eroded, while insecurity has assumed an increasing dimension.

    “Nigerians are left wondering where their next meals will come from and what tomorrow might bring.

    “The level of panic and anxiety amongst the populace has become nightmarish,’’ they stressed.

    The labour leaders demanded that everything must be done within the two weeks to avoid a situation where further proper appropriate steps would be taken to protect Nigerian workers and the masses.

    “We call on the Federal Government to honour its commitments without delay. The time for empty promises and excuses has passed.

    “The time for action is now. Our patience has worn thin and the situation has become unbearable for workers and masses all over the federation.

    “Further silence amounts to committing mass suicide and this remains the only feasible course of action left for us and Nigerians to compel remedial action by government,’’ they also stated.

  • BREAKING: NLC, TUC issue FG strike notice

    BREAKING: NLC, TUC issue FG strike notice

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have issued a strike notice to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports both NLC and TUC gave the federal government a notice of a nationwide strike, effective in 14 days.

    The strike notice stemmed from the failure of the government to carry out the 16-point agreement reached with organized labour on October 2, 2023.

    The leaders of the NLC and TUC have expressed concern that, despite the diligent efforts of organized labor to promote harmony in the workplace, the government appears unaffected by the widespread suffering and hardship.

    NLC and TUC, in a statement, lamented that “it is regrettable that we are compelled to resort to such measures, but the persistent neglect of the welfare of citizens and Nigerian workers and the massive hardship leave us with no choice.”

    “Constrained by this development and recognising the urgency of the situation and the imperative of ensuring the protection and defence of the rights and dignity of Nigerian workers and citizens, the NLC and TUC hereby issue a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government to honour their part of the understanding within 14 days from tomorrow, the 9th day of February 2024.”

  • NLC President releases fresh update on Tinubu’s N35,000 wage award

    NLC President releases fresh update on Tinubu’s N35,000 wage award

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says that the N35,000 wage award agreement with the Federal Government will continue until a new minimum wage is determined.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President, said this in an interview on Monday in Abuja.

    It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu on Oct.1, had approved N35,000 as the provisional wage increment for all treasury-paid workers for six months.

    This was part of an agreement reached with the organised labour to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy.

    However, the federal government have only paid two months of the wage award that commenced in September 2023.

    Ajaero, while speaking against the backdrop of the payment of the wage award, said the payment would run for only six months before the commencement of the national minimum wage.

    According to him, we did not sign six months wage award with the Federal Government, we sign a wage award that will be in existence until the new minimum wage is determined.

    “We are in the process of collating the compliance of the federal government on the payment of the wage award and we have even had a conversation with the leadership of the Trade Union Congress(TUC) on this .

    “We have asked our affiliates to collate the level of compliance to this and we are still waiting for their correspondents.

    “Even last week, during a courtesy call, I raised the issue with the Minister of Labour and Employment on that, it is not just the wage award, the entire agreement we had with them, they have not conceded to it,’’ he said.

    Ajaero noted that other issues that were yet to be implemented by the federal government includes the Port Harcourt refineries, CNG buses, wage award, among others.

    He however, assured workers that the issues were being looked into holistically.

    According to him, I have asked the federal government to go through all the agreement they have entered with us because that is where we are starting the year from.

    “We are not starting the year from even minimum wage, we have to look at the sanity and compliance to the agreement already entered with the government.

    “So far, it has not been rosy, there seems to be nobody that is keeping tap with the agreement and at a time like this, we need to get it right at the beginning of the year, so we are working on this issues seriously,” he said.

  • NLC suspends Imo delegates’ conference indefinitely

    NLC suspends Imo delegates’ conference indefinitely

    The Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) says it has suspended indefinitely the proposed planned Imo Delegates’ Conference.

    Mr Emma Ugboaja, NLC General Secretary said this on Wednesday in Abuja in a statement addressed to all its affiliates.

    Ugboaja said the suspension of the delegates conference in the state was due to unforeseen circumstances in the state.

    Recall that the congress had earlier informed all that the conference would hold on Jan. 10, in three states.

    These state councils which are under the leadership of the Caretaker Committees include Abia, Imo, and Osun states.

    According to him, this is to inform all affiliates especially those with State Councils in Imo state of the indefinite suspension of the earlier proposed state delegates Conference in the state due to unforeseen circumstances.

    “The other two states will still go on as planned.

    “While we continue to work towards strengthening the Congress to deliver on its mandates, you will be informed accordingly of any further developments,” he said.

  • NLC berates CBN over Naira scarcity

    NLC berates CBN over Naira scarcity

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has lambasted the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over the prevailing scarcity in the circulation of Naira notes.

    The labour union lambasted the apex bank, saying it is a fairy tale to continue to brandish cash hoarding as an excuse for the scarcity.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President said this on Tuesday in a statement titled “Cash Crunch: An incitement of Nigerians”.

    Mr Ajaero urged the Federal Government to address the current cash crunch in the country to prevent hardships on its citizens.

    Ajaero said the congress was deeply concerned about the recent cash crunch that had gripped the Nigerian economy, particularly as the nation approached the festive season.

    According to him, the economic challenge has far-reaching implications for the citizens of the great nation.

    “There is need for urgent steps to be taken to address this issue to prevent further hardships for the already suffering Nigerian populace,” he said.

    He, however, alleged that the last cash crunch earlier in the year was orchestrated by the ill-conceived and ill-implemented currency redesign policy of the immediate past.

    He added that the sorrow that botched the exercise foisted on the citizens was not what Nigerians wished to witness again in one year.

    “Nigerians are spending more time in the banks trying to source for cash not for monies that are not in their accounts but for their own money.

    “This is undermining confidence of the public in the banks and may discourage the citizenry from participating actively in banking.

    “It is shameful that Nigerians would have to spend a lot of money to gain access to their hard-earned income.

    “We are creating another avenue for economic rentiers such as the POS operators and their collaborators in the banks to fleece Nigerians,” he said.

    The NLC president added that this was subjecting citizens again to spend their meagre salaries buying money, automatically devaluing their income.

    He therefore said the NLC recognised the importance of a vibrant economy, and believed that it was in the interest of the nation to ensure that the citizens would enjoy the festive season without undue financial strain.

    “We call on the government to take immediate and decisive action to alleviate the cash crunch and mitigate its impact on the people.

    “Government should therefore explore measures to inject liquidity into the economy, ensuring that there is sufficient cash flow to meet the demands of businesses and individuals.

    “It is a fairy tale to continue brandishing cash hoarding as an excuse. Nigerians want their money and it should be made available to them.

    “Excuses are not what Nigerians want to hear but access to their money,” he said.

    Ajaero urged the government to collaborate with other financial institutions to improve banking services.

    He said they should also ensure the availability of cash at ATMs and bank branches to facilitate easy access for the public.

  • NLC reacts to notice of nationwide strike

    NLC reacts to notice of nationwide strike

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has dismissed a notice of nationwide strike allegedly scheduled for Monday.

    Mr Benson Upah, NLC Head of Information and Public Affairs, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    There was statement purportedly signed by General Secretary of NLC and Secretary General of TUC, Emmanuel Ugboaja and Nuhu Toro respectively, that a nationwide strike would commence on Monday.

    According to Upah, the statement is a fake news and there is no notice of strike from us.

    “We want to re-assure  Nigerians that this notice did  not emanate from us, and neither do we have any intention of initiating any strike action this period,” he said.

    He said concerned Nigerians were advised to ignore the notice and tray it as fake.

  • What FG should do if petrol must sell at N750 per litre – NLC

    What FG should do if petrol must sell at N750 per litre – NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has advised the federal government to make minimum wage in the country commensurable with international wages if petrol must sell at N750 per litre.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the NLC gave the advice while condemning the advice given by the World Bank to the Federal Government to increase petrol prices to N750 per litre.

    Recall World Bank Lead Economist for Nigeria, Mr Alex Sienaert, offered the advice recently during a presentation of the Nigeria Development Update, Dec. 2023 edition.

    Sienaert had noted that the federal government may still be paying fuel subsidy, considering that fuel prices are currently not cost-reflective in the country.

    The economist also noted that based on the official foreign exchange rate, fuel should cost N750 per litre.

    However, Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President, in a statement, titled, ”World Bank’s N750 per litre for premium motor spirit is a threat to Nigerians economy” on Friday in Abuja, said:

    “We vehemently reject the recent advice by the World Bank which has asked the Nigerian government to increase petrol prices to N750 per litre.

    “It is truly a shame that the World Bank has really shown itself to be an enemy of the Nigerian nation.

    “Its continued grandstanding and generation of anti-poor policies and programmes have destabilised many countries of the South, especially nations within the sub-Saharan region,” he said.

    Ajaero noted that the difficulties and suffering created by the last hike in the price of petrol was a product of the advice of the World Bank and its sister institution.

    The NLC President urged the government not to allow foreign entities to dictate economic policies that were detrimental to the welfare of its citizens.

    “It is imperative that our leaders look inwards, tapping into the vast resources and human potential within our nation.

    “This would address challenges and formulate policies that genuinely uplift the standard of living for all Nigerians.

    “We assert that it is not only impractical but truly immoral for the World bank to persistently advocate for policies that endanger the lives and livelihoods of citizens, imperiling our nation,” he said.

    He added it is crucial for the Nigerian government to prioritize the welfare of its people over external pressures.

    He called on the government to resist the temptation to implement policies that cater for the interest of international bodies, even at the expense of the well-being of its citizens.

    “The minimum wage in Nigeria for a privileged few is N30,000 (about US$ 30), while minimum wage in the US is equivalent of N1.5 million.

    “If you advocate for international prices then, it becomes commonsensical that you must advocate for international wages.

    “Our local reality is that we cannot think of increasing the pump price of petrol any further as it is a product whose price is pivotal in determining the price of other items in the country,” he said.

  • N750 per litre petrol: NLC sends warning to FG

    N750 per litre petrol: NLC sends warning to FG

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday warned the Federal Government against heeding the advice of the World Bank to increase the pump price of petrol to N750/litre.

    The NLC’s Head of Information, Benson Upah, said any further increase in the price of petrol would lead to anarchy in the country.

    He, therefore called on the government to reject the proposal of the World Bank that petrol should sell at about N750/litre, as against the current rate of between N620 and N650/litre in most locations across the country.

    “The World Bank is globalist north in thoughts and actions and has little or no consideration for the global south. It is a predatory institution that the global north uses to justify its crimes against the south.

    “It is almost single-handedly responsible for the ruination of the economies of countries of the global south for which it prescribes one solution for all ailments.

    “It does not care what happens to Nigeria or Nigerians so it could from its perch in Washington say whatever it likes or push around our leaders like house-helps.

    “The truth, however, remains that the present regime of the pump price of PMS has all but destroyed the country. To now ask the government to raise it to N750/litre is to invite anarchy upon the land.

    “The World Bank is so hypocritical it fails to see the nexus between price and capacity. The minimum wage in Nigeria for a privileged few is N30,000. The same minimum wage in the United States where the law is enforced is N1.5m.

    “In light of this, if the government knows what is good for it, it should ignore the World Bank but must remain committed to fighting inherent corruption in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry. It must also cut down the high cost of governance.”

  • NLC bickers over plans to restructure TCN

    NLC bickers over plans to restructure TCN

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has cautioned the Federal Government against going ahead with its plan to restructure the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

    Mr Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, said in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja that the plan would only worsen the crisis in the nation’s power sector.

    The TCN coordinates the nation’s electricity transmission network, and is one of 18 companies that were unbundled from the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria in April 2004.

    It was incorporated in November 2005 and issued a transmission licence in 2005 to transmit electricity, engage in system operation and electricity trading.

    The company is currently fully owned and operated by the government.

    Mr Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power,  who announced the restructuring plan, had explained that it was to align with the Electricity Act 2023 and the power industry demands.

    He said government plans to unbundle the TCN into two entities: the Independent System Operator and the Transmission Service Provider.

    The restructuring, he added, will synchronise with the evolving landscape of state electricity markets, address demands for the decentralisation of the national grid into regional grids interconnected by a new higher voltage national or super-grid.

    Ajaero, however, said that the plan was not different from the previous restructuring of the power sector, which was yet to yield any result.

    He argued that Nigeria’s economy would be worse off, and advised President Bola Tinubu to convene a genuine national stakeholders forum to critically review the privatisation exercise in the sector.

    “It is important that we learn from the mistakes of the past so that its errors are not repeated and the same consequences befall our nation again,” the NLC President added.

    According to him, the plan as announced by the minister
    portends great danger to the power sector and will imperil the ability of the state to control, regulate and guarantee the safety of the nation’s grid system at all times.

    Ajaero further argued that handing over the power transmission infrastructure would expose the nation to blackmail and weaken the ability to transmit and distribute power around the country.

  • Why labour suspended nationwide strike

    Why labour suspended nationwide strike

    The Organised Labour has explained why it suspended the nationwide indefinite strike that commenced on Nov. 14.

    Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), explained the action in a statement he jointly signed by Mr Nuhu Toro, Secretary General, Trade Union Congress(TUC), on Wednesday in Abuja.

    “The NEC in session had a thorough review of the offers presented by the Federal Government through the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

    “We found the offers credible and decided to reconsider our action,” he said.

    It would be recalled that the organised labour earlier met with the NSA and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong.

    “After the meeting, we directed all affiliates and State councils of both the NLC and TUC to demobilise, cease any further escalation of the indefinite strike action.

    “We fully resume work tomorrow, Thursday, the 16th day of November, 2023,” he said.

    He added that a resolution was reached to suspend the ongoing nationwide strike, which commenced on the 14th November, 2023.

    According to Ugboaja, the suspension is intended to facilitate further discussions after the federal government had met crucial demands.

    “We expect government to address the distressing abduction and brutalisation of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, and others.

    “These incidents occurred in the hands of the Police and Gov. Hope Uzodimma’s thugs in Owerri, in Imo, on the 1st day of November, 2023,” he recalled.

    He noted that an apology was tendered on behalf of the government by the NSA, who promised to coordinate the investigation.

    He added that some of the perpetrators had been arrested while others would be fished out and prosecuted.

    Ugboaja said that high-powered investigation was currently being carried out and the leadership of labour centres would be briefed continuously as progress is being made.

    He commended all affiliates and state councils for their unwavering commitment and tenacity that made the strike a success.

    “Once again, we convey our appreciation for your cooperation, resilience and determination in ensuring the success of the indefinite nationwide strike.

    “We encourage you to remain vigilant as we await the fulfiliment of the remaining agreements,” he said.