TheNewsGuru

Tag: Strike

  • Rep Etanabene urges FG to be proactive with labour unions

    Rep Etanabene urges FG to be proactive with labour unions

    The member representing Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Ben Etanabene has urged the federal government to be proactive with labour unions in the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Hon Etanabene said this during a plenary session of the House on Wednesday while contributing to a motion sponsored by Benjamin Kalu, the member representing Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State.

    Recall workers commenced a nationwide strike on Tuesday to protest against the alleged brutalization of Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in Imo State. The industrial action has grounded operations in most public facilities, leaving Nigerians stranded.

    Etanabene averred that if the government had been proactive enough, the strike could have been avoided, stressing that if the government had entered into the matter prior to this time, the disturbing strike would not have held.

    “The government was not proactive at all in spite of the fact that they have experienced former labour personnel in the helms of government. When labour unions shout that they want to do something, it is better to interact with them early enough.

    “If for nothing, just for ego, they will go on that strike. This is just one of them. If the government had entered into this matter prior to this period, we would not have this disturbing strike. This issue as I see it should not have led us to this point,” he said.

    While urging the House to intervene and ensure dialogue with labour, Etanabene stressed the only palliative he believes that will work is returning the price of petrol to what it was before the removal of subsidy.

    Meanwhile, Hon Kalu, had while moving the motion, said it would be “unworthy” for lawmakers to feign ignorance of the strike and “pretend” as if it does not concern them. Kalu revealed Wednesday’s plenary was almost cancelled due to the strike because lawmakers were informed that their offices would be under lock and key.

    “I want to pray that the NLC and all the unions in Nigeria should trust us (lawmakers) once again. That we (lawmakers) will use diplomacy where necessary to engage as usual. They should trust us again to come together to find a lasting solution to their pain.

    “I pray that your office (speaker) and that of the senate (senate president) dialogue with this aggrieved NLC as soon as possible to enable us to find a lasting solution to this hydra-headed need,” Kalu said.

    Also speaking, Kingsley Chinda, the House Minority Leader, supported the motion, saying the strike is a “strong instrument” which should not be abused.

    “Strike to me is the extreme of every action. There must be steps that should be taken before the strike so that we don’t begin to trivialise labour strike,” Chinda said.

    He asked labour unions to shield their swords and allow national assembly leadership to wade into the matter and “bring it to a conclusion”.

    Julius Ihonvbere, Majority Leader, corroborated Chinda’s position, noting that there should be consultation and other avenues explored before a strike is used as a last resort.

    “This one (strike) came with the speed of light. This cannot happen in a country that wants to recover. It is not evidence of patriotism, commitment to social justice and liberation of people from poverty and hunger, marginalisation and dehumanisation which the government is committed to,” Ihonvbere said

    Yusuf Gagdi, Chairman of the Committee on Navy in his contributing, said he was “flabbergasted” when he saw the reason the union embarked on strike.

    “This should not be the basis of suffocating government activities. It should not be the basis of shutting down Nigeria,” Gagdi said

    Subsequently, the leadership of the House resolved to meet with its counterpart in the Senate to engage the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) for the “immediate” suspension of the strike.

    TNG reports the plenary was presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

  • Senate urges NLC to call off strike

    Senate urges NLC to call off strike

    The Senate has passed a resolution urging the organised labour to call off the ongoing national strike in the interest of the country.

    This followed the adoption of a motion “On need for NLC to reconsider its stand on the ongoing strike at plenary on Wednesday by Sen. Opeyemi Bamidela (APC-Ekiti).

    Presenting the motion, Bamidela said that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) Academic Staff Union of Universities, Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria among other unions commenced a nation wide strike on Nov.14.

    He said that the senate was aware that the strike was connected with the alleged assault on the President of the NLC during the electioneering campaign that took place at Imo.

    He said it was worrission that most of the demands of the labour on the strike were not targeted at the welfare of Nigerian workers but essentially arrising from the alleged political involvement of the President, who hailed from Imo.

    He said the state Commissioner of Police had affirmed that as a matter of fact that there was indeed brutality by the police on the NLC President, while participating in a political campaign in the state.

    Sen. Adamu Alero (PDP-Kebbi), who seconded the motion said the Senate must intervene to protect the nation’s economy.

    He said the intervention of the senate would be timely, saying that the incident in Imo involving the alleged brutality of the NLC president was unfortunate.

    On his part, Sen. Adams Oshiomole (APC-Edo) said his primary concern had always been labour issues and condemned police brutality on labour unionists.

    He added that he had been a victim of police brutality as NLC leader.

    He said the senate had the obligation to do everything possible to bring amicable solution to the labour crisis.

    He urged the Senate to prevail on Federal and State Governments to implement the agreement reached with NLC and TUC, expecially on the payment of N35,000 wage award by State Governments.

  • Alleged murder of Super tv boss: Strike stalls Chidinma’s trial

    Alleged murder of Super tv boss: Strike stalls Chidinma’s trial

    The trial of an undergraduate of the University of Lagos, Chidinma Ojukwu, the alleged murder suspect of Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, on Tuesday, could not go on, due to the absence of the defendant.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls Ojukwu, a 300-level student of the Department of Mass Communication is being tried before a Lagos State High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square, on nine counts of murder, theft, and forgery.

    She was arraigned alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, and one Adedapo Quadri.

    At the resumed trial on Tuesday, only the third defendant, Egbuchu, was present. Ojukwu and Quadri were not brought to court from the correctional facility.

    Inmates were not brought to court due to the industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.

    Justice Yetunde Adesanya said correctional facility officials had informed the court that the inmates would not be brought to court for security purposes until the strike was called off.

    Counsel for the first defendant, Mr. Onwuka Egwu, said, “Due to the NLC strike, I suggest that tomorrow’s date be vacated and a fresh clear date is given.”

    Also the second defendant’s counsel, Mr Babatunde Busari, however, said “Despite the effort given to this case by this court, the trial is still taking too long.

    “There is no trial day that I come to this court without the trial going on. I also suggest that a clear date be given to ensure that substantive justice is done to this matter.”

    He also asked the prosecution counsel, Mrs Adenike Oluwafemi, Director of Public Prosecutions to mention how many prosecution witnesses are yet to give evidence.

    The DPP told the court that apart from the ninth prosecution witness, DSP Olusegun Bamidele, who was still giving evidence under cross-examination, “there are two more witnesses”.

    Consequently, Justice Adesanya, vacated Wednesday’s date to ensure that the NLC strike would not disrupt proceedings.

    She adjourned the case till December 5 and December 7, 2023, for the continuation of trial.

    The ninth prosecution witness, DSP Bamidele, had at the last proceeding in June, narrated how he examined the body of late Ataga at the mortuary.

    The witness was cross-examined by the first defendant’s counsel, Egwu.

    The witness had told the court that he visited the mortuary two days after the deceased died to carry out his investigation.

    Bamidele narrated that the body bag was opened in his presence for observation.

    He told the court that he saw injury on the body and neck region of the deceased.

    According to him, he instructed the mortuary attendant to turn the body over and he saw marks on the side of the left ribs.

    The witness also told the court that there was an injury at the lower centre of the head, adding that It was an open injury that showed signs of stabbing.

    Ojukwu and the two others were arraigned on October 12, 2021, by the Lagos State Government.

  • There’s no Court order against ongoing strike, says TUC

    There’s no Court order against ongoing strike, says TUC

    The Organised Labour has explained that it did not receive any court order stopping the ongoing nationwide strike that began on Tuesday.

    It also accused the government of repeatedly flouting court orders, all the while, demanding strict adherence to judicial rulings from other institutions.

    “Yes, we don’t have a service on the court order but we have a government today who perpetually does not obey court orders. When DSS was holding Emefiele, how many court orders were passed for Emefiele to be released? Countless number of them,” TUC President Festus Osifo, who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, said on Wednesday.

    The labour leader has announced that once the unions receive a court order regarding the ongoing strike, they will consult with their legal team and make a decision accordingly.

    “We have a state that refuses to obey court orders. You now expect others to obey court orders but once we see it, we are responsible institutions, we will not say because the Federal Government continuously violate court institution, we will examine it and if it is the right thing for us to do, yes, we will,” he said.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress and the TUC on Monday ordered their affiliates to withdraw their services nationwide from midnight on November 14, 2023.

    The Press reports that the Federal Government, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Minister of Justice filed an ex-parte application praying the court to stop the unions from embarking on the planned strike.

    In his ruling, the President of the Court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, cited Sections 17 and 19 of the National Industrial Court Act and ordered the unions to stop their nationwide strike.

    Unions across the country initiated a nationwide strike on Tuesday, in a bid to demand justice following an assault on Joe Ajaero, the President of the NLC, which took place in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, on November 1, 2023.

    Workers in several states joined the strike, shutting down activities at several government-owned facilities.

    Partial compliance was observed in certain states as the industrial action unfolded, with a number of workers choosing to carry on with their regular duties.

  • Abuja Federal High Court defies NLC, TUC’s strike directive

    Abuja Federal High Court defies NLC, TUC’s strike directive

    As the strike by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) enters second day, court activities at the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja were going on smoothly.

    A check by NAN Showed that judges, staff, lawyers and litigants in the high-rise building were going their own businesses without hindrance.

    From the 1st floor to the 5th floor that housed the 13 courts in the building, NAN observed that no fewer than eight courts were sitting.

    It would also be recalled that court activities went on unchecked yesterday.

    However, a notice of congress meeting by the FHC’s chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) signed by its Public Relations Officer, G.A. Maku, said there would be emergency meeting of all staff by 11am today.

    It reads: “All members of staff are expected to converge at Ukeje Hall @11am this morning for an emergency meeting.

    “This meeting is noteworthy as members will be briefed on the position of the union with regards to the on-going NLC strike action and other important issues please.”

  • (DAY 2) Strike: NASS security ops bar junior staff from entering complex+Photos

    (DAY 2) Strike: NASS security ops bar junior staff from entering complex+Photos

    … plenary yet to commence in both chambers

    Security operatives at the National Assembly Complex on Wednesday barred all staff from below level 14 cadre from accessing their offices as organised labour nationwide wide strike enters day 2.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports most staff that could not identify their various cadres at the NASS complex gate were politely advised to go back home as the instruction from clearly states that only officers from level 14 cadre are granted entry.

    TNG sighted many staff of the federal legislature stranded at the various gates begging security officers to allow them entry.

    At the outer gate, security was relaxed at about 10am but gaining entry into the main complex was really herculean as security operatives had to screen permit clearing such a staff.

    As at the time of filling this report, most lawmakers are yet show up and no signal of plenary in sight.

  • Strike: Oshiomhole schools labour unions

    Strike: Oshiomhole schools labour unions

    Former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Senator Adams Oshiomhole has cautioned labour unions in the country not to mix political opinion with their primary responsibilities.

    Oshiomhole, who is the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, stated this while fielding questions from State House Correspondents shortly after he paid a solidarity visit to the Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The Trade Union Congress(TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had on November 13, directed all affiliates to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.

    The strike was called to press home their demands, especially the “non comment by the Federal Government over the brutalising of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero by security agents and hoodlums in Imo”.

    Reacting to the strike, Oshiomhole said ”unfortunately, this strike is not about those issues affecting the Nigerian workers.

    “And I think we have to be careful not to mix our political opinion with our responsibilities, because the issues confronting workers are so many that they should become the priority.

    ”Labour cannot be apolitical because politics is about the people. And I have argued when I was in NLC that nobody has a right to be partisan, much more than those who turn the will of our industrial progress.

    ”But in saying that, we must recognise that however how hard you try, when it comes to politics, people are going to have different reasons for supporting different candidates”.

    The lawmaker also cautioned labour unions to be careful and avoid doing the bidding of a particular candidate or a political party.

    ”As a worker in the Senate, I don’t pretend over the fact that my first constituency, my permanent constituency, is labour.

    ”I can be removed as Chairman of APC as I was removed. But I couldn’t have been removed as a labourer. I remain labour in heart and labour in views, and labour in my aspirations.

    ”I will expect that even as we speak now that the issues that will appeal to me will be the fact that as we speak, we have states that are not paying N30,000. And those states are not being mobilised to go on strike.

    ”The Federal Government had granted N35,000 increase and those discussions were supposed to be for and on behalf of not only the federal government, but on behalf of all workers in Nigeria.

    ”Including those employed by the Local and State governments. And the additional revenue accruing from the withdrawal of subsidy trickles down to the state and to the local government.

    ”Now, I would have wished that the NLC recognise that the hunger in the stomach of federal employees is not any worse than the hunger in the stomach of those state employees, nor local government employees.

    ”If these are the issues on the table, even as a Senator I will publicly support an action against any government that thinks that we should lament away our hunger and while the people do what they do,” Oshiomhole said.

    He, however, declared that he doesn’t support the brutalisation of any Nigerian, including a journalist, the unemployed and a labour leader.

    ”But I’m saying in terms of what you might call the hierarchy of needs and challenges that we face, I think that NLC should robustly engage all the state governors or the state governments, who are not implementing the agreement that was midwived courtesy of a national strike, not a federal government’s employees strike.

    ”So if you mobilise private sector workers, state employees workers, local government workers, and now there is an agreement on N35,000 across the board. I want to see NLC saying there will be no sleep in any state where this is not being implemented. That is all I can say,” Oshiomhole said.

  • NLC submits 6 fresh demands to call off strike

    NLC submits 6 fresh demands to call off strike

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the arrest and prosecution of one Mr Chinasa Nwaneri, SA on Special Duties to Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State.

    According to the NLC, Mr Nwaneri led the “deadly gang of thugs” who assaulted NLC President, Joe Ajaero in Imo. This is part of six (6) fresh demands submitted by the Union to call off the ongoing industrial strike action.

    The Union also called for the arrest, prosecution and dismissal of all police officers involved in the brutalization of the NLC President and workers in Imo state; and also the arrest and prosecution of all thugs involved in the brutal attack.

    In posts shared via X, the NLC also called for the arrest, prosecution and dismissal of the Chief Security Officer of Imo State Government House, identified only as SP Shaba, who the Union said led, participated and provided cover for thugs to brutalize workers.

    According to the posts, the Police Area Commander that led the brutalization of Mr Ajaero and other workers in the State should be arrested, prosecuted and dismissed and that the former Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Barde should be investigated and prosecuted as well.

    “The brutalization and deadly attack on NLC President and other workers in Imo State is not a local issue but a national matter. The national police were involved.

    “The federal police were fully involved in the brutalization of NLC President and other workers in Imo State. Imo State has no state police.

    “The Imo State government in collaboration with federal police attacked and dehuminised the number one leader of Africa’s largest labour center,” the Union stated.

  • BREAKING: NLC gives condition to call off strike

    BREAKING: NLC gives condition to call off strike

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said not until the government meets its demands, the ongoing indefinite strike that has paralysed day to day activities nationwide, would not be called off.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the NLC made this known in a statement released on Tuesday by Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of the Union.

    According to the NLC, the indefinite nationwide strike started today is just the beginning, adding that the industrial action was to free members of the Union in Imo State and ensure that the government is held accountable for its use of violent abduction and brutality as a tool in workplace engagement.

    The NLC statement tilted “Indefinite nationwide strike: A great beginning reads: “We wish to appreciate and congratulate all Affiliates and State Councils for the great work in complying with the directive of the National Executive Council (NEC) resolution to begin a nationwide strike today.

    “Congress salutes your resoluteness and determination in ensuring that all of our workplaces were shut down completely and workers stayed at home. The solidarity and singlemindedness in delivering on our resolutions has put a lie to those who wants to see a contrary outcome and have thoroughly made a resounding statement around the nooks and crannies of our nation.

    “Our assessment showed more than expected compliance in today’s outing despite being the first day of action. Gaps that were expected on the first day were surprisingly not that very visible. Just like an Aeroplane taking off will experience a little bit of drag in lifting off the tarmac, ours today was a smooth and cleaner take off. We doff our hats for you all and congratulate you for your doggedness.

    “You surpassed our expectations thus we urge you to gird your loins and make it more compelling tomorrow until the Government meets our demands. Continue the mobilisation and let the success continue!

    “We remain committed to greater success in this action which can only happen with our collective efforts and determination to free our members in Imo state and ensure that the Government is held accountable for its use of violent abduction and brutality as a tool in workplace engagement”.

  • Local government operations grounded as workers join NLC strike

    Local government operations grounded as workers join NLC strike

    Operations in local government areas across the nation have been grounded following the strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports this is coming after the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) directed it’s members to comply with the strike declared by the NLC and TUC.

    In a statement by Comrade Isah Gambo, General Secretary, NULGE members of the Union had withdrawn their services since midnight.

    The statement reads: “Comrades, the above jointly signed letter from NLC and TUC is a directive to all affiliate Unions to comply with.

    “As a result of this, the National Secretariat of NULGE is by the above letter directing all State Chapters and Local Branches across the federation to instruct all our members nationwide to withdraw their services effective 12:00 midnight of 13th November, 2023.

    “The indefinite strike shall commence as scheduled above until further directive from the NLC/TUC.

    “Injury to one is injury to all”