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  • 2019: Vote out governors that refuse to pay N30,000 minimum wage, NLC tells workers

    The organised labour on Thursday directed workers to vote out governors who do not implement payment of the N30,000:00 new minimum wage in their respective states.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) specifically condemned threats by the govermors to sack workers should the new wage come into effect.

    To NLC President Ayuba Wabba, the threat is not new in the struggle for review of the national minimum wage.

    He said workers might be prevailed upon not to vote for governors who fail to pay the new wage.

    “Therefore, the current one by the governor of Zamfara (Abdulaziz Yari) cannot be used to intimidate labour,” Wabba said in a statement, reiterating the directive that workers should vote out anti-labour governors and politicians.

    “The consequences of workers’ retrenchment are too grievous for any political office holder truly elected by the people to contemplate.

    “Few political office holders are bent on enslaving Nigerian workers with peanuts mislabelled as salaries.

    “We urge such elected public officials to subject their humongous salaries and allowances, reputed to be among the highest in the world to public perusal. Pro rata with the minimum wage, they want to force down the throats of Nigerian workers,” he said.

    Wabba urged each of the governors to go to their state and inform workers on their individual position on the new national minimum wage of N30, 000.

    ”To the oppressors, we have only one answer for you, we will never sleep on our rights.

    “We hereby reiterate our directive to Nigerian workers to vote out any politician or political party that refuses to pay the new national minimum wage of N30, 000.

    “We shall continue to consolidate our efforts to strengthen already existing platforms and structures to give teeth to our resolve to vote out anti-labour governors and politicians in the forthcoming 2019 general election, ‘’Wabba said.

    He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to speedily present to the National Assembly the bill on the National Minimum Wage for appropriate amendment and implementation.

    “It would interest Nigerians to know that the new national minimum wage of N30,000 was a product of intense and robust negotiations at the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Negotiation Committee that lasted for one year.

    “At the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Negotiation Committee, state governments were represented by six states, one state from each of the six geo-political zones.

    The statement added: “The 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) recognises individual states in the Collective Bargaining Process not Nigeria Governors Forum. The states, like the other social partners, have already defended their positions during negotiations at the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Negotiation Committee vis-à-vis counter proposals.

    “Alhaji Yari should desist from using the platform of the Nigeria Governors Forum to seek political relevance. His tactics of blackmail against workers is already time worn and the stench is already offensive.

    “We hereby reiterate our directive to Nigerian workers to vote out any politician or political party that refuses to pay the new national minimum wage of N30,000. We shall continue to consolidate our efforts to strengthen already existing platforms and structures to give teeth to our resolve to vote out anti-labour governors and politicians in the forthcoming 2019 general election.

  • BREAKING: NLC suspends nationwide strike

    The organised labour union has called off the nationwide industrial action initially scheduled to commence on Tuesday to press home workers’ demand for a new national minimum wage.

    The National Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, announced the suspension at the end of the last meeting of the tripartite committee set up to come up with the new minimum wage on Monday evening.

    Wabba said the decision to suspend the action was reached after agreements were reached and documents signed.

    “Having reached this position and agreements signed, the proposed strike action is hereby suspended,” the labour leader said.

    Wabba, however, refused to disclose the figure of the new minimum wage arrived at by the committee.

    He said the figure would only be made public after the committee’s report would have been presented to President Muhammadu Buhari by 4.15pm on Tuesday.

    He, however, said only one figure would be presented to the President.

    He thanked all their tripartite partners for their understanding while particularly appreciating the roles of the private sector.

    The Chairman of the committee, Amma Pepple, expressed delight that their assignment had been concluded.

    “I am happy to report to you that we have concluded our assignment and we will submit our report to the President by 4.15pm on Tuesday.

    “We will reveal the figure at the presentation,” she said.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, thanked members of the committee for doing a wonderful job. He described the process as a long journey.

    “The committee has worked assiduously to reach the conclusion,” he said.


  • Minimum wage: Buhari begs NLC to shelve proposed strike

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday appealed to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress to consider the rot his administration inherited.

    Buhari made the appeal when he received members of the Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria led by Ambassador Oladapo Fafowora at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The appeal came barely 24 hours to the commencement of the indefinite industrial action called by labour unions to press for a new national minimum wage.

    Buhari said the workers needed to show more understanding especially with the more infrastructure his administration was putting in place with fewer resources.

    “President Buhari also appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress to consider what this government inherited and the more it is doing with fewer resources in putting the economy right,” a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, read.

    Buhari reassured Nigerians that his administration will sustain massive investments to upgrade and develop the country’s transport and power infrastructure.

    The President told the retired Ambassadors that Nigerians will never forget the ‘‘lost opportunity between 1999 and 2015,’’ when the nation had huge resources at its disposal.

    He said, ”There is no part of the country I haven’t been to, having attempted to be President four times.

    ”I know the condition of our roads. The rails were literally killed, there was no power despite the admittance of some previous leadership that they spent $16bn on the sector.

    ”Today, we are getting our priorities right and we believe that of the three fundamental issues we campaigned on – security, the economy and fighting corruption-, we have remained very relevant and Nigerians believe we have achieved something.”

    Buhari also appreciated the People’s Republic of China for financing some of the rail and power projects in the country through concessionary loans.

    ”I will do my best to see that where there are possibilities of making a quick improvement on infrastructure, we will do it,” he said.

    The President took note of some concerns raised by the retired Ambassadors including an appeal for the adjustment of their pension entitlements, retention of diplomatic passport for retired career ambassadors, allocation of land for ARCAN headquarters in Abuja and adequate funding of the Foreign Affairs ministry, among others.

     

  • Strike: Asaba residents storm banks, markets

    Strike: Asaba residents storm banks, markets

    Residents of Asaba and Okpanam in Delta on Monday besieged banks and the markets to collect money and store food ahead of Tuesday proposed nationwide strike by workers.

    Following the deadlock between labour leaders and the Federal Government over minimum wage, the unions insisted on the indefinite strike.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and United Labour Congress (ULC) had on Wednesday sensitised the workers to the conflict between them and government and the need for indefinite strike from Tuesday.

    NAN survey in Asaba revealed that most banks’ ATMs were emptied before noon as residents rushed to make quick withdrawals in order not to be caught unawares.

    It was also noticed that the popular Ogbeogonogo Market along Nnebisi Road, experienced surge as the traders, particularly in the food stuff segments, faced difficulties attending to the teeming customers.

    The dual carriage way leading to the market experienced a traffic gridlock from the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) end of the Nnebisi Road, a distance of more than two kilometres.

    Some residents who spoke to NAN said that they did not want to be taken by surprise.

    They recalled that they suffered during the recent warning strike by the workers, when they could not access money even through the ATM because banks were shut.

    They, however, called on the Federal Government to pay workers the minimum wage, adding that N30, 000 being asked for by the workers was not too much.

    Others, however, said that new wage being demanded by the workers may trigger price increase if government failed to take proactive measures to match the wage with production.

    Mr Stephen Onyisi, a civil servant, said the minimum wage was overdue for review and that what labour was asking for was not too much.

    “I believe any government can pay the N30, 000 minimum wage without challenge.

    “We labour and retire after 35 years or 60 years of age and at the end of the day, nothing to show for it.

    “Imagine a government appointee and a politician – with a politician, just within four years, he will build many and befitting houses for himself, family and acquired so much money.

    “But, anytime you talk about increasing workers’ salaries, they kick against it. This is terrible because they do not mean well for us,” he said.

    Mr Hillary Ndubisi, a resident, lamented the ordeal people were currently passing through and called on the Federal and State Governments to, as a matter of urgency, implement the proposed minimum wage.

    He advised government to make it possible for everybody, workers and politicians, to earn the same salary for a balance and to end the wage increase agitation since everyone is exposed to the same market.

    “Just imagine the stress we are passing through now – traffic jam, the ATMs not responding.

    “You have to move from one location to another before making withdrawals, all in the name of somebody not doing what he is supposed to do,” he said.

    Mrs Theresa Nkemdi, a trader, told NAN that the rush to buy items, especially food, was high.

    “I was told that the workers are going on strike because government refused to pay them their money.

    “I am not happy because when they go on strike our children will not go to school and nobody will take care of them at home.

    “We sell more anytime the workers receive their salary at the end of the month, so I support, let government pay them because when they get the money we also will sell our food items,” she said.

    On the preparedness for the strike, the NLC Secretary in the state, Mr Innocent Ofuonyeadi, said workers in the state were ready and waiting to carry out directives by the national body.

     

  • Fuel scarcity imminent as NUPENG backs NLC November 6 nationwide strike

    Nigerians maybe in for another unsavoury experience from next week as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) of Saturday threw its weight behind the proposed nationwide indefinite strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) scheduled to commence on Tuesday, November 6.

    Recall that the Federal Government on Friday obtained an order from the National Industrial Court restraining the organised labour from embarking on strike.

    The NLC, the Trade Union Congress and the United Labour Congress had, however, insisted on embarking on the strike, claiming that they had not been served with court processes.

    As a sign of solidarity, the National President of NUPENG, Prince Akporeha, insisted that since his union is an affiliate of the NLC, it would comply fully with any directive the NLC gave.

    When asked if NUPENG would join the strike, he said, “Are we not an affiliate of the NLC? Is NUPENG on its own? Of course we are with the NLC.”

    When reminded of the fact that a court had ordered unions not to go on strike, the NUPENG president said, “We are waiting for directives.”

    Attempts to get the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria on Saturday also proved abortive as its President, Mr Francis Johnson, neither picked repeated calls to his telephone nor responded to a text message on Saturday.

    The organised labour had fixed November 6, 2018 for the commencement of an indefinite strike over the failure of the Federal Government to approve the N30, 000 it is demanding as minimum wage.

    Last week, the Nigeria Governors Forum said it could only pay N22, 500 as minimum wage, a position which was rejected by the unions.

  • New Minimum Wage: We’ll resume talks with NLC, TUC on Sunday – Ngige

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, says conciliation on the national minimum wage will continue on Sunday despite the court injunction restraining organised labour from embarking on strike.

    The National Industrial Court had on Friday ordered the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) labour not to go ahead with the nationwide strike scheduled for November 6.

    Justice Sanusi Kado gave the order in a ruling on an ex parte application moved on behalf of the federal government by the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Dayo Apata.

    The unions had threatened to commence an indefinite strike on November 6 to press for a new minimum wage of N30, 000 for workers.

    The minister in the statement, however, insists that the conciliation meeting involving organised Labour, the organised private sector and government scheduled for Sunday remain unchanged.

    “The conciliation meeting involving the Organised Labour, the Organised Private Sector and Government scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 4 at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by 6 p.m. is still on course and will hold,’’ he said.

    Mr Ngige said this would be followed by another meeting of the National Tripartite Minimum Wage Committee meeting on Monday, November 5 at the same venue.

    The minister appealed to all tripartite members to attend the meetings in the interest of the nation and finding a solution to the minimum wage impasse.

  • Minimum wage: NLC dares Buhari, governors, insists on November 6 nationwide strike

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has charged its members to continue to mobilize in preparation for the commencement of an indefinite strike on the 6th of November if recommendations of the Tripartite Committee are not adopted.
    President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba gave the charge at a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja.
    Comrade Wabba reiterated that any figure below N30,000 will not be accepted by the organised labour union.
    According to him, We wish to reiterate our position adopted at our National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of 23rd October, 2018 that any figure below N30,000 will not
    be accepted by us. We call on our members to continue to mobilize in preparation for the commencement of an indefinite strike on the 6th of November, 2018, if by then necessary steps have not been taken to adopt the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee.
    Reacting to claims by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) that it can only pay N22,500 as the New Minimum Wage, Wabba noted that the Forum is not a negotiating body but a mere political organisation for the convenience of state governors.
    He explained that the organised labour’s demand was initially N66,500 but a compromised figure of N30,000 was arrived at the end of negotiations last year by the Tripartite partners that comprises of Government, Employers and Organized Labour.
    “The new minimum wage was a product of intense negotiations that lasted for almost one year”, Wabba added.
    The Labour Union therefore condemned the communique issued by the Nigeria Governors Forum on October the 30th stressing that it is an attempt to undermine the authority of President Muhammadu Buhari.
     

  • JUST IN: NLC rejects governors’ N22,500 minimum wage, insists on N66,500

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday rejected N22,500 adopted by governors as the minimum wage their states can pay.

    Recall that the 36 governors met on Tuesday and adopted N22,500 as the new minimum wage.

    This is despite the NLC and other labour unions insisting they had agreed with the government to accept N30,000 minimum wage after extensive deliberations.

    The position of the state governors appears to have angered the NLC whose president, Ayuba Wabba, on Wednesday told journalists that workers would now demand N66,500 minimum wage.

    “The demand of Organised Labour is not N30,000; our demand is N66,500,” Mr Wabba said at the conference.

    The NLC and other labour unions had earlier threatened to commence strike by November 6 if the government does not accept the N30,000 minimum wage.

    “We wish to reiterate our position adopted at our National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of 23 rd October, 2018 that any figure below N30,000 will not be accepted by us.

    “We call on our members to continue to mobilise in preparation for the commencement of an indefinite strike on the 6th of November, 2018, if by then necessary steps have not been taken to adopt the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee,” he said.

    More details later…

  • Minimum Wage: Organised Labour threatens nationwide strike Nov. 6

    The Organised Labour says it will embark on nationwide strike on November 6, if the Federal Government fails to meet its demand on the new National Minimum Wage of N30,000 agreed upon.
    Mr Ayuba Wabba, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) made this known in a statement signed with its counterparts, Mr Bobbio Kaigama, President, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Mr Joe Ajaero, President, United Labour Congress (ULC) on Sunday.
    Recall that the Organised Labour had said that the Tripartite Committee on the New National Minimum Wage had concluded its negotiations and agreed on N30, 000 following an appeal made by Organisation Private Sector (OPS) as what they could afford.
    Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige at the end the Federal Executive meeting, while briefing newsmen, had said that the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage was yet to conclude its negotiations.
    Also recall that the Governors had made a proposal of N20,000 while the Federal Government had offer of N24,000, and that the Federal Government had also initiated a clause “No work, No pay” during strike.
    According to Wabba, we the organised labour in Nigeria having not seen any sign that this government is willing to demonstrate honour and integrity in relating with Nigerian workers and masses.
    “So, we have resolved to organise a one-day of National outrage and mourning, which would be used to sensitise Nigerians on our plight and on the issues at stake.
    “This shall take place in all states of the federation including Abuja on Tuesday, the 30th day of October, 2018 and a meeting of various organs of the Unions will hold as appropriate.
    “On Friday, Nov. 2, a Joint Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of all the Labour Centres in Nigeria shall hold to receive reports and make final preparations for our ultimate engagement with the Federal Government on this matter.
    “This is the first time in the history of this nation in recent times that such meeting will take place and this goes a long way to show the seriousness with which Nigerian workers and its leadership hold this matter.
    “If nothing is responsibly done by the Federal Government to meet our demands, on Monday, Nov.6 we shall embark on a nationwide strike,’’ he said.
    He added that this would compel government to show more sensitivity to the plight of Nigerians and the suffering that is decimating our people on daily basis.
    Wabba also called on Nigerians and workers not to be discouraged in the struggle for the new National Minimum Wage.
    He explained that it was not true that organised labour had proposed N30,000 as the new national minimum wage.
    “It is also not true that the committee did not agree on a figure during its last sitting. We accepted N30,000 as a compromise to demonstrate the willingness of Nigerian workers to make sacrifices towards nation building.
    “Anything to the contrary no matter the quantum and character of the din or how well couched it may appear cannot be true.
    “Resorting to Goebbelsianism at this time of national emergency, which requires men and women of integrity is rather unfortunate and cannot suddenly make the brazen falsehoods truths.
    “We believe that it has become necessary for the Organised Private Sector (OPS) as represented in the Tripartite Committee to speak up on this matter.
    “Keeping silent in the face of this apparent mischief does our nation no good. It can only help mischief, dishonesty and impunity to grow,” Wabba said.
    The NLC president, however, said it was time for the OPS to rise to the occasion by telling Nigerians what transpired in that meeting.
    Wabba added that they should tell Nigerians whether there was a motion that was seconded on a final figure.
    “If there was a document signaling this agreement that had already been signed by some parties? If also the N30,000 figure was ours or a compromise figure based on proposed scenarios,” he said.
     

  • No-work-no-pay rule: NLC rebuffs FG

    The Organised Labour says the threat by the Federal Government to activate the “no-work- no pay’’ rule clause, will be a negation of workers’ right of association.
    President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba, made the assertion in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
    Wabba’s reaction followed the Federal Executive Council’s approval on Wednesday to apply the `no work, no pay’ principle during strike.
    According to Wabba, the right to strike is a human and trade union right and cannot be wished away by any government policy.
    “That’s why strike is legalised by our laws and has been exercised since colonial era to date.
    “The right to strike is what differentiates a worker from a slave; just like the right to strike, right to picketing the right to work to rule, right to protest and peaceful assembly.
    “So, the issue of no work no pay has always existed. It is morally and legally wrong to apply a phrase in a body of law without respecting all other provisions of the same law.
    “Same law provides that a worker’s wage is due after 30 days; where this and or any collective bargaining agreement is violated, it is legally and morally justifiable for unions and workers to apply “no pay no work,’’ he said.
    The NLC president said the threat to no-work-no-pay would not deter workers and trade unions from exercising the right to strike.
    Wabba stressed that there were clear procedures provided by law on how workers can embark on a strike, saying “once this legal requirement is met, no- work- no pay rule cannot apply.”
    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved the implementation of the no-work, no pay principle when workers go on strike in the federal public service.
    Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, told newsmen after FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari that the approval was sequel to the adoption of the Draft White Paper on the Report of the Technical Committee on Industrial Relations Matters in the Federal Public Service.
    Ngige said that the public service in Nigeria was bedevilled by problems and conflict areas; hence governments over time set up various committees and brought out circulars in a bid to stem the tide of industrial dispute.