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  • NLC pickets Shaanxi Construction Company

    NLC pickets Shaanxi Construction Company

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has picketed Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group Corporation over alleged unfair labour practices.

    Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, the NLC General Secretary, who led the picketing with workers of various unions on Wednesday in Abuja, described the unfair practices by foreign companies as dehumanising.

    The protesting workers, who temporarily shut down the construction site of the building of the new headquarters of the ECOWAS, carried placards with inscriptions: “Don’t kill our workers with poor wage”; “Stop the harassment”, and “Stop the maltreatment”, among others.

    He said that the protest was to liberate the workers from enslavement and hash conditions of work that Nigerian workers are subjected to by the Chinese company, such as enslavement.

    According to him, the congress responded to a complaint by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the construction workers union over bad working conditions at the construction site.

    “The Chinese company had engaged the workers on adhoc basis with no conditions of service attached nor any welfare or medical services in place.

    “Regrettably, due to the deplorable work conditions at the place, one of the workers, a driver, Mr Augustine Okunbor, died out of neglect and lack of timely medical attention,” he said.

    Ugboaja however added that the picketing action would  continue, hoping to engage the management of Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group Corporation in discussion to address the concerns of their workers.

    On the demise of the driver (Okunbor),  Ugboaja called on the Federal Government to ensure that local and foreign companies prioritise the rights and welfare of workers.

    According to him, Mrs Ruth Okunbor migrated with her husband and family to Abuja to earn a living and now the man has ended up six feet down, leaving his poor widow to face the vagaries of life.

    “There is no pension, no gratuity, no food, no water and no explanation, where will help help come from. This is the challenge we have. This challenge is real,” he said.

    Also, the wife of the deceased (Mrs Ruth Okunbor) said her husband had secured the job last year as a driver with the Chinese company and that the condition given to him does not allow him to come home after work.

    “My husband will work from Monday till Sunday. I used to ask him whether they would give him a bonus for the overtime and extra work he was doing and he said no.

    “My husband will work from morning till night with no food and he will not be allowed to come home. Even when he comes home, he will not stay up to an hour before hurrying back to the site,” she said.

    She also noted that after her husband returned to work in January after Christmas festivities, he stayed back for two months at the company without visiting home, only for her to find out that he was ill.

    Okunbor added that the company failed to take her husband to the hospital and still did not allow him to go home for treatment.

    “When they eventually permitted him to go home, his situation has worsened. He was having a swollen neck and looking highly malnourished,” according to her.

    Okunbor said that she took her husband to the Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital in Abuja and later to the National Hospital where he passed on.

    She also said the Chinese company failed to heed her pleas for assistance, rather what she got was a termination letter for her husband.

    The Congress, in conjunction with the Construction workers’ Union, had promised to assist the widow in all ways possible pending the outcome of its interface with the company.

  • Subsidy: Dele Alake reveals outcome of FG’s meeting with labour unions

    Subsidy: Dele Alake reveals outcome of FG’s meeting with labour unions

    The Nigerian government and organized Labour on Monday reconvened at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to look into ways of cushioning the effects of removal of subsidy on the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    Mr Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, said that steering and technical committees have been set up to help achieve the planned interventions for Nigerians.

    “As we promised the last time we met; when labour called off their planned strike, we held a meeting today. We went through all the demands that labour had tabled, that is government and the labour unions last time.

    “They said they were going to go back to their executives and make consultations so that we reconvene today. That is exactly what we did.

    “At today’s meeting, both parties went through the list and we ticked off the viable ones which are now broken into three categories; those can be given immediate attention, and those that can be achieved in the medium term and long term.”

    Alake added that the committees would help actualize the dream of providing the interventions to cushion the effects of removal of subsidy.

    “Work groups have been constituted at today’s meeting. There is a steering committee that will serve as a clearing house and there are other committees comprising both parties; government and labour.

    “They will work together very harmoniously and efficiently to arrive at the final resolution of all the demands of labour and what we (government) call interventions,” he said.

    The President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Joseph Ajero and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Festus Osifo both confirmed the setting up of steering and technical committees.

    They said that the committees would commence work immediately and complete the assessments within a maximum period of eight weeks.

  • Order restraining NLC, TUC from embarking on strike subsists – Court

    Order restraining NLC, TUC from embarking on strike subsists – Court

    The National Industrial Court on Monday declared that the order restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) from embarking on their planned industrial action subsists.

    Justice Olufunke Anuwe stated that the order as granted on June 5 subsists pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

    The court in addition ordered that parties maintain status quo and adjourned the matter until July 20, for hearing.

    Earlier, when the case was called, the Federal Government’s counsel, Mr Ochum Emmanuel informed the court that the matter was slated for Monday for the claimant to take its motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction to restrain the defendants from embarking on strike.

    He added that he was ready to proceed with his application as the defendants had been served.

    Mr Marshall Abubakar, the defendants’ counsel on his part however replied that they had filed an application praying the court to set aside its order granted on June 5, restraining his clients from embarking on strike.

    Abubakar further submitted that the claimant was served the application on June 8, only for them to turn around and serve on them a counter-affidavit on Monday in court.

    He added that the claimant filed the counter-affidavit on June 16 and instructed the bailiff not to serve them until on Monday in court.

    The court enquired if defence was properly before the court, Abubakar responded that he was not certain, but that he will find out and do the needful.

    He also prayed for a short adjournment in order to look at the counter-affidavit and respond.

    Emmanuel in response opposed Abubakar’s application for adjournment and urged the court to allow him take his motion on notice which was slated for hearing.

    The counsel also reiterated that the federal government will never a file process and instruct any bailiff not to serve the other party.

    He argued that it was probably due to the fact that he filed the processes late on June 16 that made the bailiff to serve defence counsel in court on Monday.

    Emmanuel in his submission equally averred that the defendants were not properly before the court as they had not filed their memorandum of appearance, but only came to urge the court to vacate the order it granted on June 5.

    He stated that the defendants being not properly before the court cannot seek for an adjournment.

    In addition, he submitted that if the court should deem it fit to grant Abubakar’s application for an adjournment, the court should equally declare that the order restraining the defendants from embarking on strike granted on June 5 subsist.

    In his reply, Abubakar submitted that Emmanuel’s application was not necessary as the court had earlier stated that parties should maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

    He also informed the court that parties were meeting later on Monday to try and resolve the issue.

    The court in its ruling granted the application for adjournment, directed the defendants to enter their memorandum of appearance and instructed parties to maintain status quo.

    From facts, he defendants had planned to embark on nationwide strike on June 7 to protest the fuel subsidy removal that brought about the new pump price for the Premium Motor Spirit.

    The federal government had therefore instituted the suit to stop the defendants, stating that the proposed strike may gravely affect the larger society and the well-being of the nation at large.

    The claimant in addition stated that the strike is capable of disrupting economic activities,that will affect especially the health and the educational sector.

  • NLC explains why minimum wage increase not the focus amidst subsidy removal

    NLC explains why minimum wage increase not the focus amidst subsidy removal

    The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero, has shed light on why the union is not currently seeking an increase in the minimum wage, calling for alternative solutions.

    In a recent chat with journalists on the sidelines of the ongoing 111th Session of the International Labour Conference, ILC, in Geneva, Switzerland, Ajaero emphasized that the NLC’s agreement with the governors pertains to wage awards, not minimum wage.

    He also criticized state governors for implementing ad hoc measures such as reducing working days, warning that these actions would exacerbate the country’s socio-economic situation.

    It would be recalled that following a series of meetings between the former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, and the leadership of organised labour, the Federal Government on 23rd October 2019, announced its decision to upgrade the national minimum wage from N18,000 to N30,000 effective from 18th April of the same year.

    The National Minimum Wage Act sets a timeframe for the expiration and subsequent review of the minimum wage to ensure that it remains relevant and reflective of the economic conditions of the country.

    Section 3 (3) of the National Minimum Wage Act states that “the National Minimum Wage expires after five years, and it shall be reviewed in line with the provisions of this Act.”

    Consequently, Ajaero stated that the minimum wage review will proceed as scheduled by early next year, fulfilling the statutory requirement outlined in the National Minimum Wage Act 2019.

    The NLC President stated, “The agreement we had with them is not on minimum wage. The agreement we had with them is on wage award and it must be understood clearly.”

    He further explained that the removal of fuel subsidies without any corresponding provisions had prompted discussions on minimum wage, but pointed out the failure of state governors to comply with the minimum wage law.

    While the Trade Union Congress has asked the Federal Government to increase the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N200,000, the NLC proposes an alternative solution in the form of wage awards to alleviate the impact of subsidy removal.

    Ajaero also highlighted the potential of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a cost-effective fuel option, citing a pilot study conducted in the Edo area, where 10,000 vehicles were converted to CNG which would cost approximately N90 per litre.

    Acknowledging the resistance the NLC might face in implementing these alternatives, he stated: “We are not deceived because there is going to be a fight. The powerful force behind PMS subsidy that had fought us all these years would make sure CNG does not see the light of the day.”

    Ajaero called for an investigation into the subsidy regime to ensure transparency and urged the completion of modular refineries to lower fuel costs.

    The NLC condemned the reduction of working days as a temporary solution, arguing that it decreases productivity and poses significant challenges in crucial sectors like healthcare and education.

    He stated, “You are telling a doctor to come to work for three days, you are telling a nurse to work for three days. And you are telling a teacher with the challenges we are having in schools to come for three days. All these are ad hoc measures that cannot provide any solution.”

    As the NLC prepares to meet with the Federal Government on Monday 19th June for a continuation of discussions, its focus remains on wage awards and alternative solutions to mitigate the effects of subsidy removal, urging stakeholders to consider the long-term socio-economic impact and work towards sustainable solutions.

  • ‘Workers have right to protest’ – NLC, TUC appeal court order stopping industrial action

    ‘Workers have right to protest’ – NLC, TUC appeal court order stopping industrial action

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC)in collaboration with  the Trade Union Congress (TUC)have asked the National Industrial Court, Abuja, to set aside its interim order that barred the unions from embarking on their planned strike in protest of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

    The unions have averred that the case against it could be struck out for lack of jurisdiction and the ex-parte order set aside

    According to them, the case filed against them at the NIC was offensive and against some sections of the country’s constitution.

    Both the NLC and the TUC argued that the court lacked the jurisdictional competence to hear and determine the case “as it was filed in violation of Section 17 {2} of the Trade Disputes Act, which authorizes the Minister of Labour and Employment to refer a trade dispute directly to the National Industrial Court.”

    “This court as presently constituted lacks the jurisdictional competence to hear and determine the matter and or make any orders as regards the trade Dispute {subject matter of this suit} for failure to first refer the trade dispute to the Industrial Arbitration Panel as mandated by part 1 of TDA.

    “The claimants suit offends the lucid provisions of Order 3 Rules 1 and 6 of the National Industrial Court Civil Procedure Rules, 2017.

    The union further contended for their rights to strike “under the Trade Unions Act, the Trade Disputes Act, the ILO Convention and under several international treaties the 1st Claimant/Applicant is a signatory to.”

    In addition both unions insisted that by virtue of Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, Nigerian workers have the fundamental right to protest against policies of the government considered inimical to their interests.

    They claim that the suit filed by the federal government couldn’t justify any reasonable cause or action against what their demands.

    “The Plaintiffs suit is lacking in bona fide, as it was filed to harass, irritate and embarrass the Defendants/Applicants, which constitutes an abuse of judicial process.

    “The Claimants/Applicants suppressed material facts before this Honourable Court thereby misleading the Court to grant the exparte reliefs sought and obtained.

    “In the circumstances and under established judicial authorities as well as extant Rules of this Honourable Court, the Claimants suit as presently constituted against the Defendant is liable to be dismissed or struck out for want of jurisdiction and the ex parte order set aside,” the two unions added.

     

     

  • Strike: NLC condemns court ruling favouring FG

    Strike: NLC condemns court ruling favouring FG

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the ruling of the National Industrial Court (NIC) of favouring the Federal Government against the interest of the masses and workers in the country.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President said this in a communique jointly signed with Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of the Congress at the end of an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

    It said that the NEC meeting was called to discuss the outcome of the dialogue between the NLC and the Federal Government on the petroleum product price hike.

    The NLC had on June 3 ordered a nationwide strike that was supposed to commence on June 7 over the hike in fuel price.

    It would also be recalled that the federal government had procured a Court injunction restraining Congress from proceeding with the proposed nationwide strike.

    The NLC said NEC in session resolved that there was need to show government that it was important to comply with laid down laws and court rulings.

    “Especially as it concerns obedience to the rulings of the Courts and their brazen disregard to the 2023 Appropriation Act.

    “To therefore support and accept the decision of the leadership of Congress to suspend the proposed strike action in compliance with the flawed rulings of the NIC.

    “Also to allow negotiations to flow freely and enable final agreement during or after the 19th June, 2023, negotiation round with the federal government.

    “To however register in strongest terms its disgust and disapproval with the ruling of the NIC for its continuous weaponisation of the instrument of Exparte injunction in favour of government.

    “That is against the interests of Nigerian workers in defiance of the position of the Supreme Court on the use of this instrument,” it said.

    Congress further stated that all Affiliates and State Councils of Congress are hereby directed to suspend further action and mobilisation until the outcome of the final negotiations.

    The communiqué commended all Affiliates and State Councils on their robust mobilisation towards a successful nationwide strike and to also remain vigilant in case there is a need to continue.

  • BREAKING! FG, NLC, TUC, finally resolve to suspend strike

    BREAKING! FG, NLC, TUC, finally resolve to suspend strike

    …to reconvene negotiations on June 19

    The Federal Government, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have collectively agreed to suspend the strike scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who read the resolution, said the meeting would reconvene on June 19.

    The resolution is as follows:

    Resolution of Engagement between the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Federal Government to resolve the issues associated with the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) on June 5, 2023.

    Following the engagements between the Federal Government, TUC and the NLC, with the intervention of the Speaker, House of Representatives to resolve the disputes that arose from the withdrawal of subsidy on PMS the following resolutions were reached:

    The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to establish a joint committee to review the proposal for any wage increase or award and establish a framework and timeline for implementation.

    2. The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to review World Bank Financed Cash transfer scheme and propose inclusion of low-income earners in the program.

    The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to revive the CNG conversion program earlier agreed with Labor centers in 2021 and work out detailed implementation and timing.

    4. The Labour centers and the Federal Government to review issues hindering effective delivery in the education sector and propose solutions for implementation.

    The Labour centers and the Federal Government to review and establish the framework for completion of the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries.

     

    6. The Federal Government to provide a framework for the maintenance of roads and expansion of rail networks across the country.

    All other demands submitted by the TUC to the Federal Government will be assessed by the joint committee

     

    Consequently, the parties agreed follows:

    A. The NLC to suspend the notice of strike forthwith to enable further consultations.

    B .The TUC and the NLC to continue the ongoing engagements with the Federal Government and secure closure on the resolutions above.

    C .The Labour Centers and the Federal Government to meet on June 19, 2023, to agree on an implementation framework.

  • JUST IN: Court stops NLC, TUC from embarking on strike

    JUST IN: Court stops NLC, TUC from embarking on strike

    Justice O.Y. Anuwe of the National Industrial Court has restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), from embarking on strike from Wednesday over the removal of fuel subsidy.

    The federal government had asked the court for an interim injunction restraining the labour unions from proceeding on the strike scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

    Delivering the ruling on Monday, Anuwe, the presiding judge, said the unions should halt the planned strike pending the hearing and determination of the ex parte motion filed by the federal government.

    Details later…

     

  • Breaking! Industrial Court halts NLC planned strike for Wednesday

    Breaking! Industrial Court halts NLC planned strike for Wednesday

    The National Industrial Court has halted the planned industrial action by the Nigerian Labour Congress NLC slated for Wednesday over withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

    The verdict was given on Monday by Justice O.Y.Anuwe and next hearing fixed for June 19.

    Details shortly…

  • Fani-Kayode slams NLC over decision to initiate nationwide strike

    Fani-Kayode slams NLC over decision to initiate nationwide strike

    Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode, has criticised the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), for its decision to initiate a nationwide strike, which aims to cripple the country’s economy.

    The NLC declared the forthcoming strike following the significant hike in petrol prices due to the removal of fuel subsidy.

    NLC on Sunday shunned a meeting called by the Federal Government to discuss the subsidy removal and the attendant hike in fuel pump prices across the country.

    The union insisted that it would not hold any dialogue with the government representatives unless a legitimate team was set up.

    In response to the planned strike, Fani-Kayode released a statement via his Twitter handle on Monday, lambasting the NLC.

    He questioned why the labour union remained silent when the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, introduced the controversial cashless policy earlier this year.

    Fani-Kayode’s statement reads:“The leadership of the NLC did not threaten to go on strike when the sadistic monster called Emefiele introduced his horrendous, callous, wicked, malevolent, barbaric, vicious, self-seeking, politically-motivated, unconstitutional, and illegal cash confiscation and money deprivation policy that resulted in the suffering, hunger, destruction, death, suicide, hardship, depression, frustration, madness, and despair of millions of our people.”

    “Instead, they are threatening to go on strike over the implementation of a well-thought-out and credible policy on oil subsidy, which the Nigerian people endorsed by voting for a President who promised to remove it.

    “Although initially challenging, this policy will inevitably and eventually lead to the restoration and rejuvenation of our economy, ensuring the necessary funds and resources for massive infrastructural development.”

    Fani-Kayode highlighted what he saw as the insincerity, double standards, and hypocrisy of the NLC’s leadership, portraying them as acting out a predetermined script under the influence of Peter Obi.

    “Whether the NLC likes it or not, the oil subsidy MUST and WILL be removed. It is the only way to save our country from the fiscal challenges, decay, and deterioration it has experienced over the past 15 years, and to put us back on the right track for national development.”