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Tag: NLC

  • Falana urges IGP to arrest, prosecute police officers who brutalised NLC President

    Falana urges IGP to arrest, prosecute police officers who brutalised NLC President

    Senior lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana, has called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest and prosecute  police officers who allegedly brutalised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero in Owerri on Wednesday.

    Falana made his remark while reacting to the statement released by the police on Ajaero’s arrest.

    Recall that the police had denied arresting the NLC president during the union’s rally in Owerri, Imo State on Wednesday.

    It explained that Ajaero was only whisked away when miscreants hijacked the NLC Trade Union rally in Owerri.

    However, Falana said the explanation given by the police was tainted with loopholes.

    In a statement he signed, Falana wondered why the police failed to arrest the miscreants that brutalised the NLC President in their presence.

    He said: “The police version of the brutalisation of the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajero is full of loopholes.

    “Why did the police allow Comrade Ajero to be brutalised by the so-called miscreants? In other words, why did the police not protect him from the violent attack?

    “So the police who witnessed the attack without making any arrest suddenly turned round to take the victim to the police clinic. The members of the public who decried the barbaric attack took pictures, which exposed the misleading version of the police.

    “It is disturbing that the police justified the action of the so-called miscreants by saying that Comrade Ajero has disobeyed the order of a court. Why did the police not allow the court to purge Comrade Ajero of contempt of court?

    “We call on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate and ensure that the police officers who brutalised the NLC President are prosecuted without any delay.”

  • Imo Protest: NLC President, Ajaero narrates ordeal in Police custody

    Imo Protest: NLC President, Ajaero narrates ordeal in Police custody

    .Joe Ajaero, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President has narrated his ordeal in police custody after he was arrested in Owerri the Imo State capital on  Wednesday.

    Ajaero said God must have taken extra time to create him following the beating he received while in police custody.

    It was gathered that some hoodlums hijacked and disrupted the NLC’s protest in Owerri, on Wednesday.

    The NLC president was in Owerri to mobilize Imo workers for a mega protest rally in the state over an alleged violation and abuse of rights and privileges of workers by the state government.

    The violence that broke out during the rally led to men of the Nigeria Police Force whisking away Ajaero.

    Speaking after he was released, Ajaero said the police threatened to drag him to court.

    According to Ajaero: “If you say interim order, it elapses with time; if the court issues another one, then it’s a different thing. I told them interim order ends within one week or two; they now kept the letter and told me they can prosecute me.

    “I told them it’s the same court that can institute a contempt charge; you just can’t start prosecuting me.

    “They beat me; God must have taken extra time to create me because of the kind of beating I received.”

  • Imo Protest: NLC president, Ajaero brutalized, rushed to Owerri hospital

    Imo Protest: NLC president, Ajaero brutalized, rushed to Owerri hospital

    Report reaching TheNewsGuru.com states that the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Joe Ajaero has been rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri where he is receiving medical attention.

    Comrade Benson Upah, the NLC head of Information and Publicity disclosed that Ajaero’s right eye is completely shut.

    TheNewsGuru.com TNG reports that Ajaero was whisked away by  heavily armed operatives at Union’s protest in Imo state on Wednesday.

     

    Upah said : “Contact has been made with Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero this evening around 15:30 hours at the Police Hospital in Owerri from where he was taken to Federal Medical Centre, Owerri where he is receiving medical attention.

     

    “Thoroughly brutalized, his right eye at the time of contact was completely shut. Ajaero was beaten up blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination where more brutalisation took place, sometimes with bottles. His phones, money, and other personal effects were taken off him and have not been returned to him.”

  • BREAKING! NLC president, Ajaero arrested in Imo State

    BREAKING! NLC president, Ajaero arrested in Imo State

    Imo State Police Command operatives reportedly arrested the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero.

    Reports said that Ajaero was whisked away by the Police from the venue of the ongoing protest in Imo state.

    According to a national newspaper, the development took place as hoodlums descended on protesters, smashing vehicles and inflicting wounds on labour members.

    At the time of filing this report, the whereabouts of the NLC President were unknown as heavily armed security operatives took him away.

    Ajaero had earlier directed all members of the Union and affiliate unions to shut down all sectors in Imo State, including air, land, and sea, as the union commenced protest today.

    Reports said that Ajaero announced the commencement of the protest at the end of the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held in the late hours of Tuesday, October 31, 2023, in Owerri, the state capital.

    The NLC president had accused the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, of violating and neglecting workers’ welfare.

    He alleged that due to the hostile actions of the governor towards workers in the state, many of them had died because of the lack of payment of their salaries.

    Speaking further, Ajaero lamented the non-compliance with the national minimum wage by the state government while accusing Uzodimma of refusing to implement previous agreements, especially the accord reached on January 9, 2021.

  • NLC to embark on mass protest in Imo

    NLC to embark on mass protest in Imo

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it would begin protest in Imo State from Nov. 1. over alleged violation and abuse of rights and privileges of workers by the State government.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President said this at a news conference on Sunday in Abuja.

    Ajaero said that “NLC was deeply concerned about the persistent and egregious violations of the rights and privileges of workers in Imo State by the State Government.”

    “Despite our repeated efforts to engage in constructive dialogue and reach amicable agreements, the Imo State Government has become a habitual and serial breaker of these agreements, continuing to trample on the rights of workers in the state.

    “As a result, we are left with no choice but to embark on mass protests and industrial actions beginning on the 1st day of November, 2023.

    “This is to demonstrate our outrage and stop the continuing violation of the rights and privileges of workers in the state,”he said.

    The NLC president said the protest was imperative as the government of the state had refused to implement previous agreements.

    According to him, the government has repeatedly reneged on agreements, most notably the accord reached on January 9th, 2021, between the Government and Organised Labour.

    “On outstanding salary arrears, shockingly, some workers have been subjected to a staggering 20 months of unpaid salaries under the unfounded label of ‘ghost workers’.

    “Unjust declaration of workers as ghost workers,. Approximately 11,000 hardworking individuals have been unjustly branded as ghost workers, their salaries diverted even while they diligently carried out their duties,”he said.

    On vandalisation of NLC State Secretariat, he noted that the wanton destruction of the NLC State Secretariat was a blatant attacked on the rights of workers and a violation of the sanctity of their representative body.

    The NLC president said others were implementation of discriminatory pay introduction of discriminatory pay, unsettled gratuity arrears, non-compliance with National Minimum Wage, among others.

    “Nigeria Labour Congress calls on all stakeholders, including civil society organizations, to stand in solidarity with the workers of Imo State in the face of these egregious violations.

    “We implore the Imo State Government to honor its obligations and recommit to respecting the rights and privileges of workers.

    “As long as it refuses, we will continue in this course of action until we see the desired change. We are ready for industrial peace in the state but the choice is entirely in the hands of the government of Imo state,”he said.

    He also alleged that unfortunately, the government had relied on its powers to deploy the fierce and coercive forces of the state against trade unions.

    Ajaero also warned the government of Imo state that the NLC would hold the Governor accountable if anything happens to any worker or trade union leader in the course of the lawful protests.

    “All the threats we have received of violence against our persons are noted but we will not be deterred.

    “On the 1 day of November, we begin this march to save workers of Imo state from the grievous harm the government has subjected them to these past years,” he said.

  • NLC makes fresh demands over FX crisis, meets FG today

    NLC makes fresh demands over FX crisis, meets FG today

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has lamented the devastating impact of the forex crisis on the economy and demanded urgent stabilisation of the Naira.

    NLC President, Joe Ajaero said this in a statement on Sunday and blamed government officials’ love for foreign luxury products for the free fall of the national currency.

    Ajaero warned that the economy was at risk of “a wave of devastating consequences” if the Naira failed to stabilise against the American dollar.

    This is coming ahead of the organised labour and the Federal Government’s meeting scheduled to hold today (Monday).

    At the meeting, the Federal Government and the organised labour will review the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding they signed on subsidy removal palliatives.

    In a statement titled, “Urgent action to stabilise the naira amidst alarming depreciation,” the NLC president said the repercussions of the weakened currency would be felt by workers and the masses.

    He said, “Hopefully, we may meet tomorrow (today) with the federal government to see whether the agreement with organised labour on the fuel subsidy removal palliatives was met or not.

    “If that meeting is to be held, it will be without the Minister of Labour and Employment (Simon Lalong) because we will not be part of any meeting with the federal government that the minister of labour and employment will attend.

    “You will recall that the decision we had on the National Union of Road Transport Workers was that all parties, including the police should leave the premises, pending the resolution of the dispute but that did not happen.

    “Therefore, any meeting we will have with the federal government, the minister of labour and employment will not be part of it.”

  • 63m Nigerian workers yet to enroll with PenCom

    63m Nigerian workers yet to enroll with PenCom

    Some members of the Organized Private Sector (OPS) have revealed that only 10 million out of the 73 million Nigerian workers have enrolled in the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

    They made the disclosure at the interactive session on the Contributory Pension Scheme for the OPS organized by the National Pension Commission in collaboration with the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) on Friday in Enugu.

    The Enugu State Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Personnel, Dr Onyeka Okoh expressed dismay that 63 million workers in the country had yet to enroll in the CPS describing it as unfortunate.

    According to Okoh, whereas the federal workers and the multinational companies in Nigeria are complying with the Pension Scheme Act of 2014, many others especially the informal sector were yet to comply.

    Okoh attributed the low enrollment to corruption and lack of strong will on the part of regulatory bodies adding that if Nigeria must get it right, corruption must be “killed”.

    He noted that the multinationals were able to comply because of the way they were structured to function well while their counterparts in Nigeria hardly complied with the PenCom scheme.

    Also contributing, the South East Chairman of the National Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Ugo Chime, while appraising the importance of PenCom, said that retirement before the scheme was a nightmare for workers.

    “Before, life after retirement could be described as uncertain and unpredictable. However, with the Pension Reform Act 2014, the narrative has changed significantly.

    “Primarily, because no matter the efforts put into a system or process, there will always be a room for improvement. Thus, following the enactment of the Act and successive PenCom leadership, we have had series of improvements and innovation in the pension scheme administration,” Chime said.

    In his remarks, the Enugu State Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Mr Chika Ugwuoke, said the state government under the leadership of Mr Peter Mbah, would do its best to encourage workers to participate in the CPS.

    The commissioner said that the governor had placed workers and pensioners welfare a priority and would do everything possible to improve their welfare.

    In a message to the interactive session, the Director General of PenCom, Mrs Aisha Dahir-Umar, applauded NECA for offering its platform for continuous social dialogue with members of the OPS on the implementation of the contributory pension scheme in the country.

    Dahir-Umar represented by the Head, Compliant and Enforcement of the commission, Mr Bala Babangida, said the dialogue had generated an invaluable impact on the implementation of the scheme over the years.

    The event was attended by the state Chairmen of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrades Ben Asogwa and Fabian Nwaigbo as well as representatives of the civil society.

  • Tinubu’s N35,000 for workers to stay until new national minimum wage is signed into law

    Tinubu’s N35,000 for workers to stay until new national minimum wage is signed into law

    The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission has disclosed that the N35,000 approved by President Bola Tinubu for all treasury-paid federal government workers in the country will stay until a new national minimum wage bill is signed into law.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ekpo Nta, Chairman and CEO of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission made this disclosure in a circular titled “Grant of Wage Award by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) for Federal Workers”.

    The circular, dated 19th October 2023, was addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President; Honourable Ministers/Ministers of State; Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Chairmen, Federal Commissions; Federal Permanent Secretaries, and Clerk of the National Assembly.

    Others are Secretary, National Judicial Council; Secretary, Federal Judicial Service Commission; Directors-General and Chief Executives of Parastatals; Agencies and Governments-Owned Companies; Auditor-General for the Federation; Accountant-General of the Federation, and Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation.

    According to the circular, the N35,000.00 provisional wage award is effective from 1st September 2023 and the implementation will be funded from the national treasury, pending when a new national minimum wage is expected to have been signed into law.

    “I refer to the Memorandum of Understanding reached between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Monday, 2nd October 2023 as a result of the dispute arising from withdrawal of subsidy on the price of premium motor spirit (PMS), and hereby convey the approval of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the grant of a wage award of N35,000.00 (thirty-five thousand Naira) only per month to all Federal Government workers with effect from 1st September 2023 pending when a new national minimum wage is expected to have been signed into law,” the circular reads.

    Recall President Tinubu approved the N35,000 as a provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers in response to agitations arising from the removal of fuel subsidy and the resultant economic hardship.

    However, before this disclosure by Nta, the President had said the N35,000 provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers was for a period of six months.

    “Accordingly, the implementation of the N35,000.00 per month wage award for all Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies that are treasury-funded will be funded from the treasury. Non-treasury funded Federal Government agencies are to implement same from their internally generated revenue (IGR) or statutory allocations.

    “Enquiries concerning this circular should be directed to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission,” the circular added.

    See circular below:

     

  • JUST IN: FEC approves agreement FG reached with NLC, TUC to avert October 3 strike

    JUST IN: FEC approves agreement FG reached with NLC, TUC to avert October 3 strike

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the agreement reached between labour unions in the country and the federal government (FG) to avert the October 3 industrial strike action.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports FEC gave the approval on Monday, according to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong.

    Recall the Nigeria Labour Union (NLC) and the Trade union Congress (TUC) declared October 3 to begin an indefinite strike over the issue of fuel subsidy removal palliatives.

    However, following series of meetings by representatives of the FG, including Lalong with the labour unions, the proposed industrial action was suspended.

    The decision to suspend the strike followed the agreements reached between the NLC and TUC and government on the provision of palliatives to ease the suffering of Nigerians.

    Speaking with state house correspondents, Lalong said FEC gave approval for the agreement and also approved the 30 days implementation timeline.

    “Presidential approval was given after analysing the agreement, to provide for industrial harmony.

    “Similarly, the 30 days implementation timeline agreed on was also approved by FEC,” the Labour Minister said.

    TNG reports the offers made by the Federal Government to suspend the strike include the waiver of VAT on diesel for next six months.

    The Federal Government also committed to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy.

    The parties noted Federal Government’e provisional wage increment of N35,000 for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months.

    The Federal Government also committed to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises and the payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for a three-month period, from October to December 2023.

    TNG reports the FG also agreed to constitute a sub-committee to work out the details of implementation of all items for consideration regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

    Below is the full highlights of the agreement:

    1. The Federal Government grants a wage award of N35,000 (thirty-five thousand Naira) only to all Federal Government workers beginning from the month of September pending when a new national minimum wage is expected to have been signed into law.

    2. A minimum wage committee shall be inaugurated within one month from the date of this agreement.

    3. Federal Government suspends collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) on Diesel for six months beginning from October, 2023.

    4. Federal Government accepts to vote N100 billion for the provision of high capacity CNG buses for mass transit in Nigeria. Provisions are also being made for initial 55,000 CNG conversion kits to kick start an auto gas conversion programme, whilst work is ongoing on state-of-the-art CNG stations nationwide. The rollout aims to commence by November with pilots across 10 campuses nationwide.

    5. The Federal Government plans to implement various tax incentive measures for private sector and the general public.

    6. On the leadership crises rocking the NURTW and the purported proscription of RTEAN, the Federal Government commits to handling Labour matters in line with relevant ILO Conventions and Nigerian Labour Acts. A resolution of the ongoing impasse is expected by or before October 13.

    7. The issue of outstanding Salaries and Wages of Tertiary Education workers in Federal-owned educational institutions is being referred to Ministry of Labour and Employment for further engagement.

    8. The Federal Government commits to pay N25,000 per month for three months starting from October, 2023 to 15 million households, including vulnerable pensioners.

    9. The Federal Government will increase its initiatives on subsidized distribution of fertilizers to farmers across the country.

    10. The Federal Government should urge State Government, through the National Economic Council and Governors Forum, to implement wage award for their workers. Similar consideration should also be given to local government and private sector workers.

    11. The Federal Government commits to the provision of funds as announced by the President on the 1st of August broadcast to the Nation for Micro and Small Scale Enterprises. The MSMEs beneficiaries should commit to the principle of decent jobs.

    12. A joint visitation will be made to the refineries to ascertain their rehabilitation status.

    13. All parties commit to henceforth abide by the dictates of Social dialogue in all our future engagements.

    14. The NLC and TUC accept to suspend for 30 days the planned Indefinite Nationwide strike scheduled to begin, Tuesday, the 3rd of October, 2023.

    15. This Memorandum shall be filed with the relevant Court of competent jurisdiction within one (1) week as consent judgment by the Federal Government.

    The agreement was signed by Minister of Labour and Employment, Minister of Information and National Orientation and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment for the government side.

    The president and Secretary General of NLC and TUC signed on behalf of the unions.

  • FG, NLC and MSMEs on my mind? – By Francis Ewherido

    FG, NLC and MSMEs on my mind? – By Francis Ewherido

    Recently, I have been watching the activities of the Nigeria Labour Congress keenly.  My interest is in whether they were only interested in government employees and employees in the formal sectors of the economy, or if they take into consideration the welfare of people in the informal sectors, MSMEs including daily-pay workers, in their negotiations with the federal government. The informal sector employs majority of Nigerians, but it is not organised like the formal sector of the economy, so it has no central body to speak on its behalf.

    After the withdrawal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the federal government and the resultant ripple effect on many sectors of national life, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have been talking with the federal government. NLC subsequently engaged in a three-day warning strike. TUC was not part of the warning strike, but both bodies gave notice to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike if they were unable to reach an agreement with the government. Luckily, after a series of negotiations, they arrived at a temporary truce. But my focus today is how all these warning strikes, negotiations, etc., are beneficial to the MSMEs and the informal sector. Beyond being the category where I belong, majority of Nigerian workers fall into this category.

    The first agreement reached by the federal government and labour is a wage award of N35,000  (thirty-five thousand Naira) only to all federal government workers which began from the month of September pending when a new national minimum wage is expected to be signed into law. This is for federal government employees only. Miserable as the sum of N35,000 looks, some MSMEs cannot afford that as minimum wage. Some states are also already grumbling. That is outside my focus today, but any state that cannot pay N35,000 minimum wage does not deserve to exist. The state governor, legislators and other government officials should resign and the state should be merged with a viable neighbouring state. It is wrong to love the glamour of statehood and hate the grind of statehood.

    The third agreement is inauguration of a minimum wage committee. This agreement has no direct benefit for majority of Nigerian workers. Some people may argue that it will trickle down because it will boost the purchasing power of these workers. There are many other intervening variables, but let me leave it there.

    Next is the suspension of Value Added Tax (VAT) on Diesel for six months beginning from October 2023 by the Federal Government. Yes, this will bring some relief to MSMEs who have diesel generators and trucks that use diesel. The cost of diesel is a major headache for MSMEs. A couple of MSMEs owners I spoke with said the removal of VAT has not reflected yet. May be it is too early, but the relevant government agencies should ensure MSMEs enjoy this little relief as soon as possible. The whole essence is to allow MSMEs breathe, even if temporarily. Please let them breathe. Improvement in electricity supply will also help to bring down operating cost.

    Another agreement is the federal government acceptance to vote N100 billion for the provision of high capacity CNG buses for mass transit in Nigeria. Provisions are also to be made for initial 55,000 CNG conversion kits to kick start an auto gas conversion programme, whilst work is ongoing on state-of-the-art CNG stations nationwide. The rollout aims to commence by November with pilots across 10 campuses nationwide. This will definitely help low income earners if it is well implemented. I am happy with it. Let this agreement be implemented to the letter.

    The sixth agreement is Federal Government plans to implement various tax incentives for private sector and other sectors. I can testify that MSMEs already enjoy some tax incentives and it is very relieving, but MSMEs need more. They employ the bulk of Nigerians and are very critical in reducing unemployment. We eagerly await these new incentives. I also welcome the affirmation of the commitment by the federal government as announced by President Bola Tinubu on the 1st of August broadcast to the Nation for Micro and Small Scale Enterprises.

    The seventh agreement that is of interest to me is the referral  of outstanding salaries and wages of tertiary education workers in federal government-owned educational institutions to the Ministry of Labour and Employment for further engagement. One major blight of the Buhari Government was the failure of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the Ministry of Education to resolve the labour dispute with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The resulting strike lasted for eight months. Thousands of students lost an academic session. The only universities Nigerians with low income can send their children to are federal government-owned universities and to some extent state government-owned universities. It is very tragic that these two ministers could not resolve the dispute.  We must never allow that to happen again. A four-year course must be completed in four years unless the student failed or got into trouble due to infractions.

    I am also happy with the federal government commitment to pay N25,000 per month for three months starting from October 2023 to 15 million households, including vulnerable pensioners. I am totally in support of this palliative as long as it is transparent. As I said in a previous article, N25,000 over three months is not chicken feed  for low income earners and vulnerable families. The sum of N75,000 might be what big men need to fill the fuel tank of Lexis LX 570, but it is big money for a vulnerable household. But this is a palliative and government should come up with long term plans to pull more Nigerians out of poverty.

    Nine, I also welcome the federal government plans to increase subsidized distribution of fertilizers to farmers across the country. This is very good. We need to produce a lot more food for our teeming population. But also important is improved security. Many farmers are unable to go to their farms due to insecurity. Local communities should assist government by giving information to security agencies of criminals in their midst. Securing Nigeria is everybody’s responsibility.

    Ten, it is still a mystery to me why our government refineries are still comatose. Billions of dollars have been spent on turn around maintenance (TAM), yet none is functional as expected.  The joint visitation to the refineries to ascertain their rehabilitation status is very important. If those refineries were functioning, there will be less importation of petroleum products and the pressure on our forex reserves will be less.

    Finally, I welcome the commitment of all parties to abide by the dictates of social dialogue in all future engagements. The NLC must never be an appendage of government but a watchdog to ensure that government actions are in the interest of not only workers but Nigeria and Nigerians. At the same time, NLC must be a partner to the government for a better Nigeria. Baring fangs at government during disagreements should be the last option not the first option.