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Tag: NLC

  • NLC, TUC vow to resist move to renegotiate N66, 500 minimum wage

    NLC, TUC vow to resist move to renegotiate N66, 500 minimum wage

    The Organised Labour says that it will resist move to renegotiate the N66, 500 minimum wage at any level in the country.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said this during the 2018 May Day celebration for workers in the country on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The theme for the May Day Celebration, “Labour Movement in National Development: Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win.’’

    “ A new minimum wage will put the country in positive light globally as it would ensure compliance with the International Labour Organisation standards.

    “Overall, an increase in the minimum wage will raise the levels of productivity and enhance the purchasing power of Nigerian workers.

    “Our current demand of N66, 500 as the national minimum wage will only manage to meet the basic needs of the average Nigerian worker if inflation is kept at a single digit,‘’ he said.

    The NLC president noted that the recent nationwide minimum wage public hearings have unmasked the enemies of Nigerian workers.

    He added that the organised Labour have also insisted that once the Minimum Wage Act is signed into law, all employers in public and private sectors must pay at once.

    “We shall stand with those willing to pay more than the minimum. We shall resist any move to renegotiate the minimum wage at any level.

    “The Federal Government must ensure that federal allocations are not released to states and local governments that refuse to implement the new minimum wage.

    “We are battle ready against public and private organisations that would refuse to conform to the new minimum wage.

    “We shall ensure that governments that refuse to pay the new minimum wage will not receive the support of the working class, pensioners and their families, ‘’he added.

  • TUC, NLC demand probe of bailout funds to states

    The Organised Labour has called for immediate probe of state governments involved in diversion of bailout funds meant for payment of salaries and pension arrears in the country.

    President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Bobboi Kaigama, made the call at the 2018 May Day celebration for workers in the country on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The theme for the May Day Celebration is, “Labour Movement in National Development: Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win.’’

    Kaigama said the diversion of the bailout funds have been a growing concern to the organised labour.

    According to him, as we speak, many states still owe their workers between five and ten months’ salaries and pensions arrears.

    “We demand immediate probe for state governments that are known to have diverted the funds, while culprits should be made to face the full weight of the law.

    “ What the erring states have done is a form of terrorism against the Nigerian workers.

    “Meanwhile, we have identified the states that owe salaries and pensions arrears and serious mobilisation is ongoing to vote out such governors in the next general election in their states,” he said.

    The TUC President, while speaking on the challenges of the economy, expressed concern on the dearth of infrastructure; insecurity, weak naira and less investment on human capital development, among others.

    He, however, decried the delay in the passage of the 2018 National budget.

    “Four months into 2018, the national budget has not been passed.

    “This is counterproductive to the economy and makes us a laughing stock in the eyes of the world,” he said.

    Also speaking, Mr Ayuba Wabba, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said the budgetary framework in the country remained frail as appropriation bills stall longer than necessary before they are passed into law.

    Wabba said the 2018 budget was a case in point as it was still trapped in the National Assembly four months into the year.

    He noted that this has further compounded the sufferings of Nigerians whose daily sustenance depends on the budget.

    “We are worried by the unnecessary bickering between the National Assembly and the Presidency over the budget.

    “We call for an overhaul of our budgetary system, improved relations between the legislature and the executive and cutting down of wastes in government,” he said.

    The NLC president also said that the fight against corruption is a collective battle and has to be transparent and holistic.

    He said that corrupt persons in and outside government must be dutifully tracked and diligently prosecuted.

    He stressed the need for the reformed of the judiciary, saying that the recovery of looted funds must be transparently accounted for and utilized to revitalize the economy and attend to the welfare of citizens.

    He further called on the Federal Government to address the disparity between the remuneration of political office holders and other workers in the public sector.

    According to him, it is also important that we tackle the wide gap between actual budget appropriation and releases.

    “We should strengthen processes that ensure that government institutions are made to account for public resources committed to their care.

    “We demand for specialised courts to speed up the prosecution of all corruption cases. Cases must be dispensed within a specified period of time,” he added.

  • Ayade orders payment of 2014 gratuity, donates N50m for completion of Labour House

    Ayade orders payment of 2014 gratuity, donates N50m for completion of Labour House

    Cross River State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade, Monday, authorised the payment of 2014 gratuity to retired civil servants in the state, even as he donated N50 million to the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) for the completion of the Labour House.

    The governor, who was accompanied by his deputy, Prof Ivara Esu, members of the state executive council as well as officers and members of the state NLC and TUC, gave the directive shortly after inspecting the NLC secretariat, which is under construction.

    On payment of gratuity, he said: “We have already finalised and I have just signed today an authorisation for them to commence the implementation of 2014 gratuity.”

    While applauding the leadership of labour in the state for good management of resources in the erection of the building, the governor said, “at the time we discussed with the NLC/TUC on the need to support them build a labour house, the approval I gave was so insignificant for the accomplishment of what I am seeing here today. I thought I was the only magician who knows how to turn one naira to a million dollars. Today, I have seen some management experts that are equally very good.”

    Ayade who assured that the labour house will be completed before his third year anniversary in office announced that, “against that background, God has descended upon me with an inspiration,” adding that, “to ensure that you complete this project and get it ready for commissioning as in the history of Cross River, we have never had a labour house where members can come in unmolested, it is my pleasure to support you complete this edifice with additional N50 million. That figure will cover both furniture, telecom and small clinic in case of any emergency.”

    He charged labour leaders and members to remain better organised, well structured and never relent in their roles to the society, pointing out that, the leaders must not stop insisting on what they think is the right thing for the people as it is pertinent to share the concerns of government while appreciating the challenges of workers.

    “I must commend you for being very balanced in the whole process. Agreed that normally as government task, critical misunderstanding will set in, but that is part of relationship and I think that the concept of this is a harbinger of a better relationship and better understanding of each other.”

    Earlier, NLC Chairman in the state, Comrade John Ushie, explained that “for over 40 years, the labour centre has not had a place to call their own, but in your time, it has come to pass. We believe that before your third year in office, you will come back to commission this place.”

    The governor, his deputy, members of the organised labour as well as members of the state executive council, thereafter proceeded to other projects sites embarked by the present administration in the state, including the 21 megawatt power plant, Calabar Garment Factory, Calabar Pharmaceutical Factory, Rice Seeds and Seedlings Center amongst others.

     

  • Minimum Wage: Labour proposes N65,500 as committee holds nationwide public hearing

    Minimum Wage: Labour proposes N65,500 as committee holds nationwide public hearing

    The federal government’s Tripartite Committee on the new national minimum wage is to hold public hearing across the country, and gather inputs from stakeholders on a new minimum wage.

    Ayuba Wabba, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said this while briefing journalists at the end of the Central Working Committee meeting on Wednesday, in Abuja.

    Mr Wabba said the zonal hearing was expected to be conducted in the six geopolitical zones, including Lagos and Abuja beginning from April 23, 2018.

    The public hearing is to consider memorandum from organised labour, governors and employers of labour.

    It was reported that the organised labour had recently presented a new demand of over N66,500 to the federal government.

    Mr Wabba, who confirmed the upward review of the demand of organised Labour, however, did not state the new figure presented to the tripartite committee for consideration.

    According to him, he will not be drawn to mentioning figures because it is not relevant at the moment, as the organized Labour is considering the current realities in the country.

    “As certain variables and current inflation in the country have made us to make an upward review of the demand.

    “The new submission from Labour is not different from the initial submission. We made a demand almost two years ago and that demand was the beginning of the process.

    “So, the demand of Labour was based on the agreement we had on the five year circle which we believe was due and also considering the level of inflation, we made a demand of N56,000’’ he said.

    He said that the committee after its constitution by President Muhammadu Buhari requested state governors, employers, private sector and organised Labour to resubmit their memoranda for discussion to commence.

    The NLC president said that in furtherance to the request, states, federal government, NECA and Labour had submitted their memos.

    “But what we did was to look at the dynamics of the times because the discussion will be evidence-based.

    “So, we undertook a study and made a submission. This is the logic and not that we have submitted a new position.

    “It was the same memo that we submitted, but what we did was to look at the indices, because a lot has changed between 2015 and 2018.

    “So that cannot be regarded as a change of position because the process of arriving at a minimum wage in line with convention 121 is evidence based.

    “Everybody submitting memo or document will have to back it up with logic and not just quote figures from the air,’’ he added.

    He, however, said that all variables needed to be looked at for discussions on the new minimum wage had been considered.

    “Clearly, what I want to inform you about is that we are committed to what we have,’’ Mr Wabba said.

    He added that the next Tripartite Committee meeting would be held on April 17, to discuss procedures for the public hearing.

     

  • Teachers’ sack: NLC dares El-Rufai, security operatives, commences protest in Kaduna

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday ignored the directives of Governor Nasir El-Rufai and security agencies to shelve its proposed protest of the mass sack of teachers in Kaduna.

    Recall that the police had earlier deployed 8,000 officers to stop the planned demonstration.

    Soldiers and armoured vehicles were also deployed to stop the march.

    Gov. Nasir El-Rufai warned he would sanction teachers who join the protest, one of the biggest the state has seen in recent years.

    But the NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, said the union would not be intimidated and the protest would continue.

    By afternoon, thousands of protesters broke through police blockade and marched along Independence Way towards along Muhammad Buhari way.

    “Anybody who think we cannot come out for the protest has malaria, and that malaria must be treated today,” Mr. Wabba, said while addressing members inside the Labour House.

    The protesters continued to shout “bama yi, bama so bama so, El-rufai Barawo ne” as they marched to the Government House to deliver a letter to the governor.

    They held banners and placards with different inscriptions.

    Three police vans later joined to give security cover along Ali Akilu Road by NNN roundabout.

     

    Details later…

  • Police deploy 8,000 personnel over NLC protest in Kaduna

    The police have deployed 8,000 personnel across Kaduna metropolis ahead of the protest by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) over the sack of 36,000 civil servants by Gov Nasir El-Rufa’i.

    TheNewsGruu reports that heavily armed security personnel were stationed at the NLC headquarters along Independence Way and strategic areas of the metropolis while others were patrolling the town.

    The police and other security personnel were also stationed along major streets in the city including Kaduna-Kachia road, Kaduna-Zaria highway and Kaduna-Abuja expressway.

    Most streets were empty with minimal vehicular movement due to the high presence of security personnel within the town, with few commercial vehicles plying the roads.

    The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba is expected to lead other union members from across the country to protest the mass sack of workers by the state government.

    However, the police and state government on Wednesday announced total ban on all forms of protests in the state.

    Muktar Aliyu, Spokesman of Kaduna State Police Command, told NAN that about 8,000 policemen were deployed in the city to stop the planned protest and ensure law and order.

    “The police will not fold its arms to whatever will disrupt peace and order in the state.

    “We are on top of the situation to ensure maximum protection of lives and property,’’ Aliyu said.

     

  • Robbers invade NLC Chairman’s house, abduct wife

    There was pandemonium on Sunday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State as armed robbers attacked the residence of Mr Leonard Nkah, chairman of the Ebonyi Chapter of Nigerian Labour Union (NLC).

    The robbers, five in number stormed the residence of the Chairman in the evening of Saturday and ransacked the house carting away some valuables including some undisclosed amount of cash.

    Mr Nkah in a chat with newsmen confirmed the incident but noted that he was not around when the robbers struck.

    “I was called by my wife around 9pm that robbers came to our house and demanded for my whereabouts. They said they got information that there was money that was brought in and that they need the money. They forced her to lie down despite the fact that she was pregnant. They ransacked the house and took whatever they could find but they were disappointed that there was no such huge amount of money in my house”

    He lamented that the robbers physically attacked and abducted his wife and later dumped her in a bush.

    “They assaulted my house help who opened the door when they came in, they also assaulted my wife and later abducted her. They beat her up while forcing her to lie down with her pregnancy which was difficult for her. They took her to other residents in the area where they also robbed before dumping her in the bush”

    “I thank God I wasn’t there, if I was there maybe it may have been a different story. They had information that I had huge sum of money. I was gathering resources to organise this reception for the Governor today, maybe some people told them I have money”.

    Nkah urged the police to beef up security in the state during the Christmas to checkmate the activities of the criminals.

     

  • Stop paying us December salaries in November, Cross River workers tells Ayade

    Stop paying us December salaries in November, Cross River workers tells Ayade

    …demands immediate payment of unpaid pensions, other entitlements of workers in the state

     

    The Cross River State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday blasted Governor Ben Ayade for paying the December salaries of workers in the state earlier than scheduled (on November 30).

    The union also berated Ayade over the non-payment of arrears amounting to several billions of naira to pensioner and workers.

     

    The union gave the governor seven days, which began on Wednesday (today), to implement a Memorandum of Understanding reached on July 2, 2017. Otherwise, they said, the workers would resume their strike.

     

    Addressing reporters at the end of its State Executive Council meeting at the NLC Secretariat in Calabar, the state NLC chairman, Mr. John Ushie, also said it was wrong for the governor to have paid the December salary on November 30, adding that it was unfortunate.

     

    The workers had, on July 2, 2017 suspended an indefinite strike following an agreement embodied by the MoU with the state government.

     

    Ushie said, “We express our disappointment with the government for failure to honour some critical aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed on July 2, 2017.

     

    “Among them are some of the issues of the failure of government to pay gratuity to retirees from June 2013 till date.

     

    “We are here again to tell the whole world that that agreement was not kept and the government has jettisoned the agreement and that has led to this meeting today (Wednesday) as directed by the National Executive Council meeting, which was held on November 16.

     

    “The NEC directed all state councils, where the government has not implemented the full payment of salaries, arrears of salaries, arrears of pensions and gratuities, to go back and strategise.

     

    “And that was done on the basis of the fact that the Paris Club refund has been released to all the state governments and that money was meant specifically to pay arrears of salaries, gratuities and pension.

     

    “Today, we are still discussing the issue of gratuity of 2013, which the governor himself told us that the second Paris Club Fund that was coming was to be used for.

     

    “As it stands, the government of Cross River owes gratuity from 2013 till date. And soon, we will enter 2018, as the workers continue to retire without their entitlements.”

     

    Speaking on the rush to pay the December salary, Vice Chairman of NLC, Mr. Edim Oyongha, said it was unfortunate, adding that the union had worked with several administrations in the state without being shut out.

     

    “We are in a pitiable situation. We all want salary but we do not want this upfront payment. We were paid December salary on November 30, even at that, not all categories of workers are normally being paid. A lot of them are still being owed, as it does not cut across,” he lamented.

     

    Ushie, in his view, said it was not proper for a state government to have paid, as workers would now have to stay for two months without receiving any pay, adding that it was not a proper way to plan.

  • Suicide: We’ll resist Bello’s attempt to massacre Kogi workers

    …as labour leader mobilises against alleged oppression of workers in the state

    The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, on Tuesday said it will resist attempts by the Kogi State Government to starve its workforce of their entitlements.

    It, therefore, urged Nigerians to rally round workers especially those in Kogi State by donating relief materials to them.

    The President of the Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said this while answering questions from newsmen on the Kogi worker who committed suicide on Friday, said this was necessary in order to avert another act of suicide.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Mr Edward Soje committed suicide on Sunday after going 11 months without his monthly salaries.

    “With the suicide mission embarked upon by the state worker, it shows that Kogi state workers are already internally displaced.

    “This unfortunate suicide mission by the Kogi worker is an issue that should worry all Nigerians, as non-payment of salaries is becoming a reality among workers in the state,’’ Wabba said.

    He disclosed that the NLC would soon have an audience with the Governor of Kogi in view of the fact that the plight of workers in the state was becoming worrisome.

    The NLC president, however, pointed out that non-payment of salaries had assumed a dangerous dimension in the country by leading to workers committing suicide, and should be tackled headlong.

    He said the labour union would also take its case to the National Assembly.

    “We will be demanding that the legislative body should urge governors of affected states to pay salaries when due.’’

    Wabba, however, said it was unfortunate that the Kogi governor had two weeks ago during a courtesy call on President Muhammadu Buhari claimed that he was only owing two months’ salaries.

    He added that it was more embarrassing that the same governor had, through the state’s Head of Service, later owned up that his government owed Soje only eight months’ salary.

    “This is an issue the NLC will not take lightly. We are resolute and we will mobilise our people to protest the non-payment of salaries in Kogi.

    “We have learnt however that the governor is in the habit of using thugs to harass people, but we shall be there, because we know he is not ready for dialogue,” the NLC president said.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the late Soje, who was a Director in the Kogi State Civil Service, had committed suicide by hanging himself on a tree in Lokoja, the state capital.

    He was a Grade Level 16 officer in the State Teaching Service Commission at the time he took his own life.

  • Stop treating workers like slaves, NLC warns MTN, AEFB

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Friday picketed the Abuja corporate headquarters of telecommunication giant, MTN Nigeria and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) over anti-Labour practices, accusing the two organizations of subjecting workers to slave labour.

    President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba who led the picketing said it was part of activities marking the international day for decent work, set aside by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to advance Issues of decent work, issues of occupational health and safety, better conditions of service, and minimum wage Wabba said every worker is entitled to better working conditions, accusing the telecommunication company of regularly renewing employment contract with its workers as a way of shying away from the respiratory similitude of paying gratuity and pension to them.

    At the AEPB, Wabba said: “We have identified two organisation’s, Abuja Environmental Protection Board where casualization has been on and workers have been denied the rights to unionise among other issues.

    “We need to tell them that they need to respect international labour laws, they need to also respect our own labour laws but importantly, they must respect human and trade union rights.

    “Workers have dignity, workers are not slaves and therefore, all workers must be treated with the workers best of attention. Injury to one is an injury to all. Injury to the workers at MTN and AEPB is an injury to all Nigerian workers. Issues of minimum wage must be attended to within minimum time, we are running out of time”