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Tag: NLC

  • Rivers Gov’t reopens secretariat as NLC suspends rally

    Rivers Gov’t reopens secretariat as NLC suspends rally

    The Officials of the Rivers Government, on Tuesday, unsealed the Nigeria Labour Congress secretariat in Port Harcourt, following collective bargaining agreement signed with the union.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government had sealed the NLC secretariat in March for correction of structural deficit.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, NLC President, on Sept. 4, issued a notice to hold mass rally over the sealed secretariat among other lingering industrial dispute.

    However, after a six hour deliberation on Monday, the organised labour reached an agreement with the state government to address all contending issues and for the protest to be called off.

    Government officials arrived at the secretariat at about 7.00 a.m. and remove the seal to fulfil part of the agreement.

    Wabba, who addressed workers of the affiliated unions at the secretariat, said the government promised to address all the issues that caused the labour movement to declare trade dispute with the state.

    He said that labour would ensure that the agreement was implemented to the later.

    He noted that the planned rally was a warning to other states not to neglect the welfare of workers. (

  • NLC merges with ULC, 12 other unions

    NLC merges with ULC, 12 other unions

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), on Thursday reintegrated the United Labour Congress (ULC) along with 12 other affiliated unions under its umbrella in Kano State.

    It will be recalled that leadership tussel during the 10th NLC Congresses in 2015, resulted to rift among its members and eventual formation of another faction.

    Mr Kabir Minjibir, NLC Chairman in Kano State, announced the development at a meeting in Kano.

    Minjibir said that the union had made concerted efforts to resolve the impasse since 2015, to facilitate successful reintegration of the ULC into it’s fold.

    “The leadership of NLC and ULC kept the glow of peaceful relations towards resolving their misunderstanding as th leadership’s resorted to direct discussions aimed at ending the rift.

    “This is committed to the bond of brotherhood and solidarity, which the labour movement all over the world is known for.

    “The outcome of this quiet but sustained efforts at making peace is the fruit of the reconciliation that we are celebrating.

    “It is to the credit of the leadership of the NLC and ULC that the bond of solidarity was never broken even at the height of misunderstanding.”

    Minjibir said that the NLC and ULC work in close collaboration to defend the workers in the country as demonstrated during the negotiations for the new National Minimum Wage.

    He noted that the NLC would had 43 labour unions to it’s fold sequel to the reintegration of the leadership and structure of the ULC.

    The Chairman added that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the unions, captured rudiments of the reintegration to the satisfaction of the two parties.

    He said:“Fellow workers, the NLC has emerged from this crisis stronger. We have gained more affiliate unions to our movement, we have gained more experience, and built more bridges.

    “Going forward from this platform of unity, we are more ready now than ever before to confront and overcome the myriad of challenges facing Nigerian workers, economic, social and political.”

    Also speaking, the former Chairman of the ULC, Ado Ririwai described the reconciliation as “ welcome development,” adding that it would strengthen the union towards improving the welfare of workers in the state.

  • FG moves to prevent job losses in Aviation sector

    FG moves to prevent job losses in Aviation sector

    The Federal Government has called for social dialogue between the employers and the employees in the Aviation industry to prevent job losses.

    Senator Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment made the call in a statement signed by Mr Charles Akpan, Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry on Friday in Abuja.

    Ngige made the call during a conciliatory meeting with airline operators and the trade unions in the aviation industry to discuss contentious issues, especially pay cut and laying off of workers.

    The Minister appealed to them to join hands to make sure there were no job losses in that industry.

    According to him, the cardinal principle of this administration is to prevent job losses.

    “The government on its part will honour its obligation to the industry by providing palliatives in the form of tax reduction, tax exemption, and elimination of custom duties on aircraft spares and logistics.

    “The Central Bank of Nigeria will also provide stimulus package to encourage the operators in the industry ” he said.

    Ngige, therefore commended the efforts of the airline operators, especially Air Peace and Bristow Helicopters, in keeping faith and paying the salaries and allowances of their staff, when necessary, for the period of the COVID-19 epidemic.

    He urged the operators to allow their employees exercise their right to unionisation as Section 40 of Nigerian Constitution guaranteed that.

    “We encourage the airline operators to allow members of staff who desire to go into unions to do so, as belonging to unions is a voluntary thing.

    “Obstructing them from doing so, is to curtail their fundamental rights as enshrined in our Constitution,”he said.

    Ngige, however noted that the management of Air Peace, the Minister of Aviation and the trade unions had already agreed that Air Peace would dialogue with their workers on the re-absorption of some of the sacked pilots and engineers.

    He also added that those who had already got employment elsewhere would be allowed to go peacefully with their entitlement.

    Ngige further directed the unions in Turkish Airlines to forward in writing their complaints about victimisation of officers in the unions to the Minister of Aviation, and copy the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

    The minister also said that on Bristow Helicopters, 90 – 95 per cent of the issues had already been solved through social dialoguing.

    “We understand the plight of the employers, being that the volume of work in that organisation has dwindled, from 50 aircraft business to an all-time low of 12 aircraft.

    “We appeal to both management and workers to dialogue with human face in order to save jobs,” he said.

    He therefore, said that the thrust of the social dialogues was to save jobs, so that even the management could also consider reduction in the number of people slated for redundancy.

    He also noted that even if redundancy must occur, it should be done under the ambit of Nigerian law on redundancy.

    On the unilateral pay cut by Arik Air, as well as the disagreement on terminal benefit for workers, Ngige directed the management of the airline to engage the employees on social dialogue and come up with a mutually agreed remuneration.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), commended the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the Aviation industry through the provision of palliatives.

  • Mass sack: NLC wades in, gives Air Peace, Bristow two-week ultimatum to recall pilots

    Mass sack: NLC wades in, gives Air Peace, Bristow two-week ultimatum to recall pilots

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the management of Turkish Air, Air Peace and Bristow Helicopters to reinstate all the sacked workers within two weeks.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, NLC President, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja, while condemning the recent sack of 100 Pilots by Air Peace, 69 Pilots by Bristow Helicopters.

    Wabba said that the Congress also rejected sack of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) executives working with the Turkish Air.

    “We call on the management of Turkish Air, Air Peace and Bristow Helicopters to reinstate all the sacked workers within two weeks.

    “As agreed between labour and Employers’ Association, social dialogue should be used to resolve industrial concerns instead of the current resort to unilateralism.

    “We will not hesitate to mobilise the weight of the entire Nigerian workforce to the premises of Turkish Air, Air Peace and Bristow Helicopters if our demands are not met,” he said.

    The NLC President said that the sack was traumatic for workers who were still reeling from psychological and socio-economic difficulties imposed by the recent lockdown measures.

    He said that the sack of Air Turkish, Air Peace and Bristow Helicopters workers was “highly insensitive, callous, and unjust’’.

    Waba said that the unilateral sack of executive members of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) working with Turkish Airline was particularly distressing.

    “These workers were sacked for fighting for the rights of Nigerian workers in Turkish Air. This is very reprehensible.

    “We wish to remind Turkish Air that unionised workers cannot be punished or sacked for participating in trade union activities.

    “This action is aimed at frustrating unionisation in Turkish Air and to enslave Nigerians working with Turkish Air,” he said.

    According to him, the anti-labour practices in Turkish Air constitute fundamental infractions on the Constitution and labour laws and also a gross disrespect to Nigeria.

    He said that Section 40 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of association including the right to join and participate in the activities of trade unions.

    “Furthermore Section 12 sub section 14 of Nigeria’s Trade Union (Amendment) Act 2005 provides for voluntary membership of trade unions.

    “It also stipulates that no worker should be victimised for joining a trade union or participating in the activities of a trade union.

    “We posit that the sack of NUATE executives working with Turkish Air violates their human and trade union rights,” he said.

    Wabba however, said that it was unfortunate that the management of Air Peace had exploited the atmosphere of industrial tyranny in the company.

    “This had forbidden workers from joining trade unions to strike the fatal blow on the livelihood and career of the sacked workers,” NLC leader said.

    He warned that the absence of unions in Air Peace would not stop NLC from fighting for the rights of the sacked workers.

    Wabba said that the congress would fight for the reinstatement of the sacked workers and for workers’ unionisation in Air Peace.

    “We deplore the offering of poor workers as the sacrificial lambs by unscrupulous business owners.

    “During the good times, workers were the hands that created the profit and wealth. During bad times, we expect businesses to repay the faith and commitment of the workforce.

    “As was done to the financial sector, we urge government to immediately release palliative support to the aviation industry.

    “Clearly, we have a bumpy road ahead of us as the nation and the world recovers from the fallout of COVID-19,’’ he said.

    The NLC president said that workers were ready to play their part towards the restoration of full productivity and industrial normalcy.

    He said that this would only be achieved in an atmosphere of mutual respect and sensitivity.

    “We also call on all workers to understand that these are dreary times. Workers must take the issue of the defense of their rights seriously.

    “Workers should insist on their rights to join unions. This is a safety valve. No employer is allowed by our laws to intimidate workers out of their constitutionally guaranteed rights to join trade unions,’’ Wabba said.

  • JUST IN: NLC rejects six percent stamp duty on rent, leases by FIRS

    JUST IN: NLC rejects six percent stamp duty on rent, leases by FIRS

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to cancel the six per cent tenancy and lease stamp duty recently announced by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, NLC President said this on Saturday in Abuja.

    Wabba said that the Congress was dismayed by the new policy stipulating a six per cent stamp duty for every tenancy and lease agreement in Nigeria.

    He said that the Congress condemned the agreement as the new policy came at a time when the socio-economic pressure arising from COVID-19 dislocations was affecting many of Nigerians.

    According to him, the NLC rejects this new stamp duty policy on rents and leases as it will worsen the situation faced by Nigerian workers most of whom, unfortunately, are tenants.

    “It is also alarming that we are having hike in taxes and user access fees when other countries are offering palliatives to their citizens.

    “We call on the Federal Government and the Federal Inland Revenue Service to rescind this harsh fiscal measure as it is boldly insensitive to the material condition of Nigerians which has been compounded by the Covid-19.

    “Nobody would want to be a tenant if they had alternative. This means that tenants which this new policy targets are some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

    “It would be illogical, insensitive and inhuman to churn out laws that make our poor go to bed at night with tears in their eyes,” he said.

    Wabba noted that the principle of public taxation especially progressive taxation all over the world was that the rich subsidizes for the poor and that every tax policy that would be enforceable must create a safety net for the poor.

    “Accommodation is a fundamental right guaranteed by Nigeria’s constitution. It is unimaginable that tenants who are in the most vulnerable group would be expected to pay 6 per cent tax for accommodation when sales tax is 1.5 per cent.

    “This is indeed a great injustice against the Nigerian poor. Government must take deliberate steps to avoid institutionalising the widespread belief that it is a crime to be poor in Nigeria.

    “We understand that the government needs money to run the business of governance especially at this time of economic challenges all over the world.

    “But the answer is not in further exploiting the already exploited. There is no doubt that there are other painless ways of mobilising funds to deal with the exigency of the times,” he said.

    He therefore said that one of such ways of mobilising funds was to reduce official graft and corruption.

    Wabba said that it does not make sense to ask Nigerians to make sacrifices when they are daily regaled of putrid stories of how public officials are accused of swallowing money in billions and making a comic of ‘fainting’ afterwards.

    “Second, there are thousands of unoccupied houses in different parts of the Federal Capital Territory and indeed many cities in Nigeria belonging to very affluent members of the society.

    “As we have always demanded and canvassed, Government should tax such property in order to relieve Nigeria’s daunting housing deficits and to generate the needed funds to run government business.

    “While we expect the reversal of the 6 per cent tenancy and lease stamp duty policy, we remind government that its highest responsibility is to ensure the security and welfare of every Nigerian,” he said.

  • BREAKING: NLC, ULC settle leadership tussle, merge

    BREAKING: NLC, ULC settle leadership tussle, merge

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has reconciled with the United Labour Congress(ULC) led by Joe Ajaero to form a united labour movement.

    The ULC broke away in 2015 during the delegates conference to elect new leadership for the NLC.

    President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, broke the news to reporters at the end of a joint session meeting addressed by the two leaders of the unions on Thursday in Abuja.

    Wabba said with the reconciliation, the leadership of the ULC has been re-integrated into the NLC.

    Details shortly…

  • Ex-NLC chief Akele dies in America

    Ex-NLC chief Akele dies in America

    A human rights activist and former labour leader, Comrade Ayodele Akele, is dead.

    The former chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos state chapter died on Tuesday morning.

    He was said to have been ill for some time.

    National Conscience Party (NCP) National Chairman Tanko Yusuf confirmed the incident to The Nation.

    Yusuf said he died in the United States where he was receiving treatment.

    “Ayodele Akele has been sick for a while. He later suffered a stroke and was flown to America for treatment.

    “I received a call from his today that he has died. It is unfortunate that we lost him. He was a committed activist, ” he said.

  • Salary deduction: NLC suspends planned strike in Kano

    Salary deduction: NLC suspends planned strike in Kano

    The joint labour unions in Kano State has suspended its planned one week warning strike to protest the deduction of worker’s salary by the State Government.

    This was announced in a press statement issued on Tuesday in Kano by the Chairman, state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Kabir Minjibir.

    Recall that the state government had deducted some amount from the May salaries of workers in the state due to COVID-19 meltdown, but the unions said they were not consulted.

    Following this, the labour unions served the state government a two-week ultimatum to refund the deduction or the workers should embark on a week warning strike.

    The labour union, at the end of the two weeks ultimatum, gave another one week, which was to commence by 12 a.m on Tuesday (June 23).

    According to the statement, the decision to suspend the planned strike followed series of meetings the unions had with a committee set-up by the state government to resolve the issue, and some agreements were reached.

    “During our last meeting with the Committee, headed by the state’s Head of Service, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, the state government had agreed to refund 50 per cent of what they deducted from the worker’s salary,

    “Other agreements we made with the committee was to ensure the payment of workers’ eight months new minimum wage arrears within the next third quarter of the year 2020, if the financial position of the state improves.

    “The organised labour unions have also agreed to sit with the state government to set out modalities of payment based on the agreed percentage to be deducted on the N30,600 minimum wage, for the month of June and July in the first instance.

    “And to be subsequently depended on the monthly amount received by the state from the Federation Allocation Account Committee, within the period of COVID-19 pandemic.” he said.

    The unions, while commending the entire workers in Kano for their tireless support, called for sustained support towards ensuring their welfare.

  • NLC blows hot over call to slash workers’ salaries

    NLC blows hot over call to slash workers’ salaries

    The Chairman, Kano State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kabiru Ado-Minjibir has cautioned against any attempt to slash salaries of workers in the country.

    Minjibir, who gave the warning in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday in Kano, said any attempt to reduce the workers’ salaries would be met with stiff resistance from workers in the country.

    The NLC Chairman was reacting on the advice given to Federal and state governments by a lawmaker representing Borno South in the Senate, Mohammed Ali-Ndume to slash the salaries of workers.

    He described the advice by the lawmaker as `ill-timed’ considering the situation in the country.

    “It is not the right time for the lawmaker to give such advice because it’s not the right time to reduce workers’ salaries as they are not being given any palliative.

    “Since workers are not being given palliatives, their salaries should not be tampered with,” Ado-Minjibir said.

    Reacting to the ultimatum the NLC gave to the Kano state government to refund salaries it deducted from its members or face strike action, Ado-Minjibir said the deadline would expire on Monday, June 15.

    He said committee set by the state government under the leadership of Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji had met twice with labour representatives with a view to resolving the issue amicably.

    “Discussion is still ongoing on the issue and we will come up with our resolution on Monday, June 15 when the deadline given to the state government would have expired,” he said.

    Recall that the Coalition of Labour unions in Kano state had on May 28, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the state government to refund what they described as “illegal deduction” from their May 2020 salaries or face industrial action.

  • COVID-19: NLC opposes stoppage of workers’ salaries, pay cuts

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged employers of labour to show solidarity by ensuring job protection for workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

    The NLC said it has asked its affiliates and state councils to resist any salary deduction on the account of COVID-19.

    Labour noted this critical period of coronavirus pandemic was not the time for employers of labour to stop workers’ salaries or enforce pay cuts.

    It noted that the stoppage of salaries or enforcement of pay cuts at this time would be illogical and illegal as workers’ salaries are core elements of employment contracts and collective bargaining agreements.

    NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, stated these at a press conference to mark the 2020 International Workers Memorial Workers’ Day in Abuja.

    Wabba said: “In reciprocation of the enormous sacrifice made by workers, we urge employers of labour to show solidarity with the sacrifice of our workers and people by ensuring wage protection, income support and social inclusion at these trying times.

    “This is not the time to stop or deduct from workers’ salaries. Such an action would be both illogical and illegal as workers’ salaries are core elements of employment contracts and collective bargaining agreements.

    “We have asked our affiliates and state councils to resist any salary deduction on the account of COVID-19.

    “We reassure our workers that our priority in these trying times remains the cautious, gradual, evidence-led and smart restart of the economy so that our workers can go back to work.

    “We are also completely committed to the recovery of lost jobs, protection of wages, support for income and livelihood and improvement of Nigeria’s social safety net.”

    Wabba asked Governors to follow the steps of the Federal Government by providing insurance cover and enhanced incentives for frontline health workers.

    The NLC President commended Sokoto State government for leading the way in this regard.