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  • ASUU Strike: NLC threatens to embark on one-day nationwide protest

    ASUU Strike: NLC threatens to embark on one-day nationwide protest

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), says it will embark on a one-day nationwide protest to compel the Federal Government find immediate resolutions to contending issues with education sector unions.

    The NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba said this during the opening of the Congress’ Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

    Wabba expressed sadness over the continued closure of the country’s tertiary institutions due to unresolved labour disputes between the Federal Government and unions in education.

    While the Federal Government continues to work on the demands of the unions, academic activities across all public universities, polytechnics, collages of Education have been suspended.

    The unions are demanding funding of the revitalisation fund, earned allowances, implementation of the University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) scheme, as well as promotion arrears.

    Other demands are; the renegotiation of 2009 ASUU-FG Agreement, and the resolution of inconsistency in the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS), among others.

    Wabba said: “You will recall that the last decision we took, we even went to the extent of writing to President Muhammadu Buhari, we gave a 21-day notice for them to converge a very high powered meeting.

    “We demanded that the meeting should be chaired either by the Secretary of Government of the Federation (SGF), or the Chief of Staff to the President, for this issue to be resolved once and for all.

    “That meeting was called, but from the reports that I have been receiving from all the unions in the education sector, progress has not been made.

    “The timeline of three weeks that was given to the committees for all reports to be turned in, and for government to be able to take a concrete decision, has not been met.”

    The NLC president however, alleged that there was reluctance by the Federal Government in addressing the issues.

    “Therefore, the Central Working Committee has decided that there will be a one-day national protest.

    “This is to call the attention of government to resolve the issues immediately.

    “We have also asked all our affiliates by the next one week to issue statements,” he said.

    He said the decision to embark on the one-day national protest was imperative as children of the poor had continued to remain at home.

    He also said that CWC had observed that there was increase in social vices, that could be traced to the fact that youths had been at home for months.

    Wabba also condemned the lingering scarcity of fuel and the long queues across the country.

    According to him, it is pathetic that Nigeria has not availed itself of the rich endowment of oil resource by continuing to depend on imported petroleum products for local consumption.

    Wabba said that the situation has brought about dire consequences on productivity, economy and wellbeing of the citizens.

    “For instance, diesel is now selling at more than N800 per litre. It is unfortunate that Nigeria, despite being a major oil producing country, has continued to fail to refine her own crude oil.

    “The result of this, is the net total of 100 per cent importation of refined petroleum products into Nigeria.

    “The consequence is the heavy hemorrhage of our national coffers, especially given our current challenges, which has also brought about the long queues in almost all the filling stations,’’ he said.

    He also noted that the situation had affected the purchasing power of many Nigerians, brought hardships, while many businesses had been brought to a halt due to dependence on expensive alternative power sources such as generators.

    Wabba therefore, said the only way out of the challenges was to end discussions on whether there was subsidy or not, and refine petroleum products for domestic use.

    He also condemned the recent sack of more than 3,000 teachers by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State.

  • ASUU Strike: NLC set to declare nationwide strike

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has concluded plans to embark on a one day strike to protest the continued industrial action embarked upon  by lecturers in Nigerian public universities.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony of the NLC NEC meeting at Pascal Bafyau House, Abuja, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, NLC President, said the NLC was organising a one day warning strike to mobilise Labour in solidarity with the unions in the education sector, especially ASUU.

    Wabara  lamented that students have been at home  lying fallow for four months running and the ripple effects is telling on them and their parents.

    He said the frustration has escalated crime in the country.

    Wabba  emphasized that  after the warning strike a full scale strike will commence if the issues are not attended to in due time.

  • Abducted NLC Vice Chairman’s brother found dead in Kogi

    Opaluwa Okpanachi the brother of Vice Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) in Kogi state who was kidnapped by gunmen in Kogi state few days ago  has been found dead.

    Okpanachi, who is the brother to Kogi NLC Vice Chairman, Simeon Opaluwa was kidnapped on Wednesday evening along Ejule-Aloma road while returning from an official assignment in Ugwolawo.

    His remains was found along Ejule Aloma road Thursday morning by the police in Kogi state, a family member who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the news to newsmen.

    Findings show that Opaluwa was shot as bullet wounds were found on his thighs.

    While he was in the captivity of the kidnappers, a family source said no ransom was demanded, only for his lifeless body to be found.

    The source also confirmed that his corpse has been deposited at the morgue in Kogi state.

    Also, confirming the incident, the Vice Chairman of Kogi NLC, Simeon Opaluwa said the family was really saddened and devastated over the unfortunate incident.

    Late Opaluwa, until his death, was the officer attached to the Primary Health Centre in Ochikala, Aloma.

  • ASUU: NLC President Ayuba, urge FG to end strike

    The President of, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Mr Ayuba Wabba, has called on the Federal Government to end the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities and other university-based unions.

    He made the call in his contributions to the report of the Director-General, International Labour Organisation, during the 110th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

    The conference which opened on Tuesday has the theme: “Social justice, decent work”.

    According to Wabba, the NLC has written to the Federal Government on how to end the universities’ workers’ strike.

    “We call on the government to bring this strike to an end without further delay,” he said.

    Newsmen reports that while the Federal Government continue to work on the demands of the unions, academic activities across all public universities have been suspended.

    Wabba said that the NLC had written to President Muhammadu Buhari on how to use a high-powered delegation to end the strike.

    He said that one of the main issues in contention was the deployment of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution, a salary payment platform developed by ASUU.

    “I think the process has been concluded, what we are waiting for is for that process to be reconvened again and for that issue to be resolved. We opened that channel of intervention among others.

    “I am also aware that the Interfaith Religious Council also met with Mr president and the thinking was in the same direction.

    “We will be very committed in reviewing that process and making sure that our children are made to go back to school.

    “The best way to resolve disputes under the ILO rule is through a social dialogue process that works and that respects collective bargaining agreements.

    ”That will be a lasting option to actually addressing some of those issues and disputes, and I think it is high time that’s done,” he said.

  • 2023: Don’t allow politicians use you – NLC urges workers

    2023: Don’t allow politicians use you – NLC urges workers

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ebonyi chapter has urged citizens across the country to elect credible and good leaders in the 2023 elections.

    Mr Ikechukwu Nwafor, the State Chairman of the NLC, made the call at a news conference in Abakaliki on Monday.

    Nwafor said that the briefing was part of the activities marking the 2022 Workers Day celebration in the state.

    The NLC in the state shifted the celebration to May 2, instead of May 1, as approved by the UN.

    “The 2023 elections are around the corner and we must not allow ourselves to be used by politicians. We must be careful on whom to support.

    “Our interest should be more on credible and good leaders that can have workers interest at heart,” he said.

    The chairman expressed worry over the wellbeing of workers in Ebonyi and the entire country.

    According to him, electing good leaders irrespective of tribe and political party would guarantee good welfare for workers.

    On good governance, Nwafor decried the way workers had been denied of their welfare and urged the government to focus more on project that could impact positively on citizenry.

    “I urge the Ebonyi government to reduce focus on non-profitable projects. They should invest more on projects that can promote social services.

    “We do not want government that will be stealing from the civil servants. We support good governance and that will continue to be our campaign come 2023,’’ he said.

  • May Day 2022: Why we celebrate Workers’ Day – NLC President

    May Day 2022: Why we celebrate Workers’ Day – NLC President

    President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba has explained the essence of celebrating May Day or International Workers’ Day on May 1st every year.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mr Wabba as saying the day was set aside for workers to be recognised and appreciated for the fact that they create wealth.

    “The essence of the May Day or International Workers Day, is actually a day set aside for workers to be recognised and appreciated for the fact that they create wealth.

    “It is the celebration of workers that create wealth, ensure stability and also provide all the services that we need to keep our economy growing and the system going.

    “That is from the ordinary farmer to the armed forces, and to the highest of all of them, that are workers,” he said.

    Wabba also explained that the day was set aside to create awareness on the lack of security and sacrifices of workers and for the political elites to be reminded of what to be done to be able to secure Nigeria.

    He said workers, through their unions, have made a lot of struggles for social justices in the system and in some climes, they must be recognised and appreciated for their contributions in creating wealth in Nigeria.

    He, therefore, said the theme of the 2022 May Day, tried to capture the mood of the moment with the theme: “Labour, Politics, the Quest for Good Governance and Development’’.

    According to him, this is to capture the mood of the moment, whereas there is a lot of challenges, including the security challenge, confronting Nigerians today from different facets.

    “But above all, it is for us to recongise our contributions in creating wealth in Nigeria,” the labour leader stressed.

    He called for peace, stability, security and good governance as workers mark this year’s International Workers Day on May 1.

    The NLC President on Saturday in Abuja stressed that peace, stability, security and good governance were the constitutional responsibility of the government.

    “The constitutional responsibility of every government is about ensuring the peace and security of every citizen. This is what is supposed to occupy our political elite today and it is not about the next circle of elections.

    “It should be on how we can ensure that there is peace, stability, security in every facet. I mean in every locality in Nigeria and that has not been the case.

    “Therefore, it is a very serious challenge that is why we have to look at the theme of the May Day, to encapsulate all of these challenges that needed answers.

    “Importantly, it will require a political solution, with the best of strike and best of protest; you can see that the problems have remained the same,’’ he said.

    Announcing the 2022 May Day theme as: “Labour, Politics, the Quest for Good Governance and National Development’’, the NLC president said this would be the focus of this year’s May Day celebration.

    He also said that the theme was not all about the forthcoming general elections, rather it should be about the people, good governance and the government that would respond to issues effectively.

    Wabba added, clearly speaking, we are still not out of the wood yet, the situation have become even more complicated, there are many challenges in the security spheres and other social vices in the country.

    According to him, killings, abduction and kidnapping should be a matter of concern to everybody but right now, all we can only think of is elections, when there are challenges in the peace and stability of the nation.

    “In all of these, workers have been on the receiving end, in spite of the insecurity, some of our workers have to frontally engage in the issue of insecurity, such as the police, military and para-military, health workers,‘’ he said.

    He added that, in spite of these challenges, their salaries wouldn’t take them home, but yet they are still on the front line.

    Meanwhile, in a statement, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) felicitated Nigerian workers and people on the commemoration of the 2022 International Workers Day.

    This is contained in a statement jointly signed by Mr Ayuba Wabba, the NLC President, and Mr Quadri Olaleye, the TUC President.

    According to the statement, the national celebration of this year’s May Day will take place on May 1, by 10 a.m, at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

    “The celebration will also hold across all the states of the federation.

    “Given the imminence of the Eid-El-Fitr Sallah celebration, the national May Day commemoration will only be shifted to May 2, if the moon is sighted today, being April 30.

    “This is to allow our Muslim brothers and sisters observe the Eid prayer,” he said.

    It said that the time for the May Day celebration would remain the same.

    “We will communicate with workers, our invited guests and the general public once there is a postponement,” the statement said.

  • May Day: Anyim sends message of hope to Nigerians

    May Day: Anyim sends message of hope to Nigerians

    Frontline People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Anyim Pius Anyim has comended Nigerian workers for their steadfastness and determination to put in their best despite their harsh economic realities of the day.

    In his 2022 May Day message to workers released from his Campaign office in Abuja on Saturday, the former President of the Senate lamented the downturn in the quality of the life of workers in the country caused by bad economic situation which has made the living condition of members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the entire working class both in the public and private sectors a nightmare.

    Anyim cited high rate of inflation, underemployment, salary delays, and salary denials as some of the major economic challenges facing workers as well as myriads of non economic factors that have brought pains to workers in the country.

    He praised Nigerian workers for continuing to put in their best despite the difficult work environment and conditions, describing workers as genuine patriots.

    He urged them not to be demoralised by the situation of things, assuring them that by the grace of God, the on-going political transition would enthrone a new government in 2023 that will be mindful of the plight of workers, competent in the management of economy and be able to reverse the pains of today.

    Anyim who was a career public servant for many years said: ” It is shocking how the living and working conditions of the Nigerian public and private sector workers have rapidly deteriorated in the last few years.

    “As I celebrate with you on the occasion of this year’s Workers’ Day, I share with you the pains and agony of Nigerian workers. On the one hand, uncontrolled Inflation has wiped out the purchasing power of the civil and public servants as well as the private sector workers.

    “On the other hand, the deplorable state of the Nigerian economy has made it almost impossible to raise salaries and wages to a commensurate level with the Inflation rate, thereby putting workers in further quagmire.

    “And yet, many workers in the country are grossly underemployed and underpaid in the face of galloping Inflation.

    “In addition, the over-yoked workers, like the rest of Nigerians, are also contending with insecurity, exorbitant rents, poor transport facilities and dearth of other vital infrastructures.

    “Despite these militating factors, you have continued to work and create wealth for the country. This resilience, undoubtedly, marks Nigerian workers out as great patriots, who, given the right environment would be in the forefront of launching Nigeria into her rightful place in terms of development.

    “Your sacrifice shall not be in vain. I urge you take the ongoing political transition seriously and participate actively, so that by 2023, Nigeria will have a very competent government that will address all the challenges dragging the country down.

    “By the grace of God, I see a greater and brighter Nigeria emerging from the agonies of the present time”, the 2023 presidential aspirant stated.

  • ASUU Strike: NLC threatens FG with 21-day ultimatum to end strike

    ASUU Strike: NLC threatens FG with 21-day ultimatum to end strike

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria to settle with members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU),Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), and National Association of Academic Technologist (NAAT).

    This ultimatum was contained in a communique released and jointly signed by Ayuba Wabba NLC president and Emmanuel Ugboaja the general secretary.

    Wabba expressed displeasure at the government’s inability to honour the 2009 agreement and the re-negotiated version.

    He said after the expiration of the ultimatum, the NLC will decide on the next line of action if the government fails to resolve the impasse.

    “In light of the foregoing concerns, the meeting resolved as follows:

    “Called on the Federal Government to immediately set up a High-Powered Panel constituted of members with requisite mandates to resolve within 21 days the foregoing issues militating against industrial harmony in Nigeria’s university system; and

    “Pursuant to the foregoing resolution, the Nigeria Labour Congress would be convening a Special Meeting of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of all the Affiliate Unions of the Congress to decide on the next line of action.”

  • Why ASUU strike is illegal – Ngige

    Why ASUU strike is illegal – Ngige

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Christ Ngige has explained the position of the law on the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ngige as saying ASUU was supposed to properly inform him, and the Minister of Education before they began the strike.

    He stressed that after addressing the dispute, howbeit, in consonance with the Labour Act, the striking lecturers were supposed to return to class.

    “ASUU declared a month strike and called it a warning strike. It did not notify their employer, the Ministry of Education, nor did they notify me, the Minister of Labour, that there is a breakdown in negotiation.

    ”I know that they had some discussions which were in limbo but I should be notified properly so that I can arrest the breakdown and bring it forward for proper conciliation.

    “Now, I apprehended the dispute in consonance with the Labour Act. They came for conciliation, only for them to go back and continue the strike. This is illegal. The law is that once a dispute is apprehended, everybody returns to status quo ante.

    “The law also says that if I arrest a dispute and the party or parties are not ready to conform, I should transfer the dispute within 14 days to either the Industrial Arbitration Panel or to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in line with Section 17 of the Trade Disputes Act .

    “But I’m concerned that if I do this suo motu, this will not solve the problem; getting our children back to school outright,” he said.

    Ngige, who made this known on Monday at the opening ceremony of the 2022 edition of the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) in Lagos State, urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to advise ASUU to abide by the provisions of the Trade Disputes Act and call off its ongoing strike.

    “I’m using this opportunity to plead with the NLC to which ASUU is affiliated, to call them to order, make them obey the law, to let them know what the Trade Disputes Act says.

    ”As university teachers who are even teaching industrial law, to abide by the law. They should call off that strike. That strike is not appropriately instituted.

    “I have conciliated and made sure the issues in disputes have been decisively been dealt with,” he said.

    Ngige also urged the Council to discuss, as part of its agenda, a workable recipe that appropriately conciliates disputes with associations that are not properly registered as trade unions, to ensure that they fully abide by the provisions of the law.

    “What will be the relationship with workers organisations that are not properly registered as trade unions? The labour Act is there and it says the minister can discuss with them. But they do not fully conform with legal provisions.

    “This is, especially in terms of style of negotiation and conciliation. NLAC should therefore come to the aid of the country here.

    “Even though the Trade Disputes Act permits the Minister to apprehend and deal with these workers that have not been registered as unions, you can also see that when dealing with them, you encounter problems.

    “This is because they do not fully understand the nuisances or obey the labour laws as it should be.

    “If you are a union, you give adequate notice before proceeding on strike. If you are a union too and your strike is apprehended, you go back to your work while necessary adjustment is made to give you justice.

    “The NLAC is expected to get the workers side of the tripartite live up to their responsibilities in this regard,” he said.

    The minister noted that some associations in critical sectors of health and education such as Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) are in actual fact, not properly unionised.

    According to him, the NMA is not a trade union, the NARD is not a trade union. They are associations of workers.

    Ngige recalled the numerous benefits of the Council especially as they relate to the review of the labour laws and adoption of the various conventions of the ILO, and commended the Federal Government for moving ahead with global best practices even while working to adopt the conventions.

    The minister referred to Convention 102 which is on social security, listing the pillars to include comprehensive medical care, compensation for accidents at work, workers insurance and maternal health.

    He noted that the Employee Compensation Act 2010, National Health Insurance Scheme as well maternity and now paternity leave currently being accessed by public servants are in this direction.

    He however restated the commitment of the ministry to ensuring regular meeting of the council.

    Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the chairman of the Council, Mr Peter Tarfa, said the meeting was a demonstration of the ministry’s commitment to regular meeting of the NLAC.

    He added that this is to strengthen the council in its role as the apex body charged with the responsibility of ensuring industrial peace and harmony as well as sound labour administration practice.

    He said “national industrial relation space” has remained turbulent despite government’s effort, hence the need for the collective input of all stakeholders for solution.

    “These challenges will therefore require our collective efforts to resolve. To this end, the critical role of the council in promoting industrial peace and harmony must be reinforced to resolve long lasting industrial disputes and enhance national productivity and economic development.”

    He added that the ministry has taken necessary steps to forward to the Federal Executive Council two of the Conventions recommended by the Council in 2021 in Owerri.

    He listed them as the Violence and Harassment in the World of Work Convention 2019 (No. 190) and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No.187).

    According to him, others are in progress.

    He regretted the ravaging effects of COVID-19 on the economy which has compounded the challenges faced by the government and opening up more frontiers of industrial crisis.

    “If we do not halt this ugly trend, attaining Goal 8 of the Sustainable Development Goals which aims to promote inclusive and sustainable economic development and decent work for all would continue to be a mirage,” he said.

    Goodwill messages were presented at the well-attended council by the Country Director of the ILO, Vanessa Lerato Phala, the NLC, TUC and NECA.

  • NLC wants restoration of gratuity for public service retirees

    NLC wants restoration of gratuity for public service retirees

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has called for the restoration of gratuities for public service retirees, saying it will provide immediate succour for them, pending the release of their pension.

    The NLC said this on Tuesday in Abuja at a public hearing on two bills on the Pension Reform Act organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Pension.

    Mr Uche Ekwe, Head, International Relation, NLC while presenting the union’s position on the two bills, said exempting some agencies from the contributory pension scheme would be unfair to those agencies that would remain.

    According to him, the restoration of gratuity payment in public service is the only solution to the problems bedeviling the payment of of pension to retirees in Nigeria.

    Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of administration, Sanusi Lemu, who represented the Inspector General of Police, said that the dream for an improved pension for the police has remained a mirage.

    This according to him was in view of the problems being experienced by retired police officers.

    He stated that the planned exit of the police from the contributory pension scheme was base on its negative impact on the morale of their personnel.

    Mrs A’isha Dahiru, the Director General, Nigeria Pension Commission, faulted the call for the removal of the police from contributory pension scheme.

    The DG stated that the poor pension being received by police personnel was as a result of their poor salary.

    Mr Mahmud Ayinla, Founder, Contributory Pension and Happy Retirement Advocacy (COPEHRA), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), harped on the need for contributory pension.

    “The devastating past story of the country’s pension industry cannot be compared with the ease, consistency and sustainability of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS),” he said.

    He added that the former DBS was riddled with fraud, corruption and lack of transparency as government continually budgeted money without corresponding reduction in pension liabilities.

    “The CPS has provided a platform to track contributions and savings via monthly, quarterly and yearly statements to the contributors and pensioners while the regulator (PenCom) carryout regular regulatory and compliance functions.”

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, represented by Deputy House Leader, Peter Akpatason, said that the two bills would effect the needed intervention.

    He said that critical intervention of the legislature in the pension reform bill would better the lives of retirees.

    Rep. Kabiru Alhassan, Chairman, House Committee on Pension, explained that the inputs of the stakeholders would guide the house in improving the living conditions of senior citizens in the country.

    He stated that the parliament would not feign ignorance of the stress and delay retirees experienced before access their benefits after serving the nation for years.

    Alhassan said that the inputs of stakeholders will guide the house in improving the living conditions of senior citizens.

    The first bill was a bill for an act to amend the pension reform act by providing that a pensioner shall receive at least 75 per cent of his retirement savings.

    The second is a Bill for an Act to amend the pension reform Act 2014 to provide for exemption of the Nigeria Police Force from the contributory pension scheme and related matters.