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Tag: Strike

  • No agreement with FG to suspend strike – NLC

    No agreement with FG to suspend strike – NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it has no agreement with the Federal Government to call off the planned indefinite strike for Oct. 3.

    Mr Benson Upah, Head of Information and Public Affairs in NLC said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    It would be recalled that the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had at the end of the joint National Executive Council meeting declared an indefinite strike beginning from Tuesday to press home their demands.

    Upah was reacting to a statement allegedly issued by Mr Olajide Oshundun, Director, Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

    Upah said there were some inconsistencies in the statement which include the proposed strike and the illegal occupation of the secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

    “Accordingly, we find it necessary to make clarifications. Firstly, we do not have any agreement with the government to suspend the planned strike action.

    “Neither do we have any date for a meeting with the government that may lead to the suspension of the proposed strike.

    “While we do not intend to demean or minimise the office of the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, this matter is beyond the Ministry.

    “This should have been obvious to them during our most recent meeting,” he added.

    He, therefore, commended the role played by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Simon Lalong in securing the release of the executives of the NURTW from unlawful, illegal police detention.

    Upah added: ”We take exception to the ministry describing these executives as factional leaders.

    “They were lawfully elected into office. We still find it necessary to advise the police and those elements behind their travails to desist from this despicable and shameful conduct.

    “They are advised to retrace their steps. If democracy is to be of meaning to us, then we should resist the urge or temptation for impunity. Enough is enough.”

  • Strike: No Independence Day wage award for workers – Labour Ministry

    Strike: No Independence Day wage award for workers – Labour Ministry

    The Ministry of Labour has described reports that President Bola Tinubu would announce a wage award to workers on Independence Day as untrue.

    This is contained in a statement issued Mr Olajide Oshundun, Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Labour on Wednesday in Abuja.

    “The attention of the Ministry of Labour and Employment has been drawn to reports circulating online claiming that the President will announce wage awards and palliatives to workers during his October 1st Independence Day speech.

    “The report which is said to have emanated from a purported interview with the Director of Information in the ministry claimed that a last minute meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday between Federal Government and Labour to avert the proposed strike.

    “We wish to categorically state that the report is false and misleading as at no time did the Director of Information make such disclosure,” he said.

    He urged members of the public to ignore the report as it is a total fabrication of an interview by the reporter to suit the narrative of the interests best-known to the newspaper.

    He added that, for the benefit of doubt, it is important to stress that the Director of Information at the ministry does not speak for the President.

    The director said that he was also not involved in writing the speech for the President to warrant him making any categorical statement on its content.

    “If and when the Minister schedules a meeting with Labour, the public will be adequately notified through verified channels.

    “The said newspaper is advised to retract the story and maintain professionalism in its reportage to avoid misleading the public,” he said.

  • Speaker Abbas begs NLC not to embark on strike

    Speaker Abbas begs NLC not to embark on strike

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas has appealed to the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) not to embark on its proposed industrial strike action.

    In his welcome remarks at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, Abbas pledged that the house would engage and support the Executive to resolve the current economic hardship in the country.

    The parliamentarian explained that embarking on strike will only make the situation worse for all Nigerians urging the union to consider ongoing efforts to improve the economy.

    Following the removal of fuel subsidy and the accompanied economic hardships, the NLC had demanded sustainable minimum wage and palliatives to citizens.

    The union had issued a 21-day ultimatum upon its expiration, the NLC will embark on an indefinite strike beginning next week.

    According to Abbas, as the peoples’ representatives, “we feel and equally share in the pains of our people at these very difficult times”.

    Continuing, he said: “However, I would like to appeal to the NLC to consider the various actions being taken by the Federal Government to alleviate the current hardship faced by Nigerians.

    “As promised earlier, this house remains committed to getting a survival wage to all Nigerian workers.

    “The 10th House had assured Nigerians that we would be interfacing between the organised labour and the government to quickly work out a realistic new national minimum wage.

    “Also other palliatives to enable citizens cope with the economic impact of fuel subsidy removal, the downward fall of the naira to the dollar, skyrocketing cost of food and general high cost of living in the country.

    “It is in our considered opinion that embarking on a nationwide strike at this point will only aggravate an already bad situation.

    “I therefore urge the leadership of Labour Unions to give us the benefit of doubt and suspend any  planned strike action while we engage the executive”.

    The Speaker charged the lawmakers to turn the tide of woes and gloom of the nation as their offices present them with the opportunities and prospects to do so.

    He said President Bola Tinubu had recorded a huge diplomatic and economic breakthrough with the United Arab Emirates which would see the resumption of issuance of visa to Nigerians by the UAE and the return of Emirates Airlines to Nigerian skies.

    He said that Tinubu had equally recorded some major economic agreements in India following tjr productive outing at the recently concluded 78 General Assembly of the United Nations.

    “In the coming days, the Executive arm of government is expected to present a 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill as well as the 2024 Appropriation Bill to this Honourable House.

    “It is expected that the time to consider these bills will be short, but we must roll-up our sleeves and get to work immediately and ensure the speedy consideration that will encapsulate the yearnings of the people.

    “We have to put in extra work hours to ensure that the budget is passed in good time to enable its implementation from the first day of the 2024.

    “Our nation and indeed this 10th House of the People does not have the luxury of time in the face of profound national challenges.

    “We must therefore do everything within our powers to champion causes towards addressing the yearnings of our people,” he said

    The speaker directed all ad hoc Committees to conclude their assignments and submit their reports on or before October, 3 as they will all cease to exist after the ultimatum.

    He said any of the committees that is unable to conclude its assignment on the date, such tasks shall be yielded to the relevant Standing Committees.

    Abbas announced the creation of three additional committees on State and Local Government, Traditional Institutions and Petroleum Resources.

    “This brings the total number of House Committees to 137. We equally created 13 more Parliamentary Friendship Groups to facilitate and deepen our capacity development and peer learning,” he said.

  • NLC denies embarking on indefinite strike

    NLC denies embarking on indefinite strike

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has denied reports going viral that it has embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike.

    There are reports online that the Labour Union has commenced its planned strike on Friday after its ultimatum to the federal government elapsed on Thursday.

    Recall that organised labour had threatened to shut down the country’s economy to protest against the government’s failure to meet its demands.

    The union is asking the federal government to provide adequate palliatives that would cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy.

    NLC previously embarked on a two-day warning strike on September 5 and 6, during which it issued a 14-day ultimatum.

    Government’s efforts to quell the move for an indefinite strike have not yielded any fruit, as the union still insists that it would shut down the economy if its demands were not met.

    While workers are waiting for further directives, online reports went viral on Friday suggesting that the union has commenced an indefinite strike.

    When contacted by pressmen, NLC’s Head of Department for Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, said “The report is not true.”

    He enjoined the general public to disregard the viral report.

  • BREAKING: NLC declares nationwide strike, says FG failed to meet demands

    BREAKING: NLC declares nationwide strike, says FG failed to meet demands

    Following the government’s refusal to accede to the demands of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the NLC has announced that it will go on a Nationwide indefinite strike.

    The strike was officially announced on Friday by Benson Upah, the NLC’s Director of Information and Public Affairs.

    The union, which had started a two-day strike, stated that the Federal Government’s failure to accept the unions’ demands during the 14-day deadline that had passed today was the reason for the decision.

    Upah said, “The FG has put nothing to the table, There is no agreement from all the resolutions that are mutually signed. The government is not prepared.

    “The National Executive Council (NEC) communique is emphatic about when the ultimatum will end, but not precise about when the strike will commence. It could start a few minutes, one hour, three days from when the ultimatum ends.

    “This is for us to mobilize our actions, and that is the window the NEC communique gave us.

    “This is the first government to remove fuel subsidy and is very confused on actions to take.”

    He added that it will be challenging to disobey this time around, unlike the two-day warning strike where compliance was not carefully observed.

    When questioned about the measures that would be taken to guarantee strict compliance, Upah responded, “Do you know of any good general who revealed his plans in the public before he strikes? We are completely prepared to attack.

    The union also urged the youths to participate, repeating that the country belongs to them and that they should take it back by standing up.

  • NLC declares indefinite strike nationwide, says FG failed to meet demands

    NLC declares indefinite strike nationwide, says FG failed to meet demands

    Following  the  refusal of Federal Government to accede to the demands of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the congress has announced that it will go on a Nationwide indefinite strike.

    The strike was officially announced on Friday by Benson Upah, the NLC’s Director of Information and Public Affairs.

    The union, which had started a two-day strike, stated that the Federal Government’s failure to accept the unions’ demands during the 14-day deadline that had passed today was the reason for the decision.

    Upah stated in a statement to the Whistler that none of their demands had been satisfied and that the strike “can begin at any time now.”

    Upah said, “The FG has put nothing to the table, There is no agreement from all the resolutions that are mutually signed. The government is not prepared.

    “The National Executive Council (NEC) communique is emphatic about when the ultimatum will end, but not precise about when the strike will commence. It could start a few minutes, one hour, three days from when the ultimatum ends.

    “This is for us to mobilize our actions, and that is the window the NEC communique gave us.

    “This is the first government to remove fuel subsidy and is very confused on actions to take.”

    He added that it will be challenging to disobey this time around, unlike the two-day warning strike where compliance was not carefully observed.

    When questioned about the measures that would be taken to guarantee strict compliance, Upah responded, “Do you know of any good general who revealed his plans in the public before he strikes? We are completely prepared to attack.

    The union also urged the youths to participate, repeating that the country belongs to them and that they should take it back by standing up.

     

  • Tuition hike: Tension as varsities resume academic session

    Tuition hike: Tension as varsities resume academic session

    The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has expressed concerns over the likelihood of unrest in universities across the nation as students resume the academic session.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports CONUA President, Niyi Sunmonu expressed the concerns when the leadership of the congress paid the Minister of State for Education, Dr Tanko Sununu a courtesy visit on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Sunmonu stressed there could be the likelihood of unrest occasioned by the new increase in school fees, which he said had the potential to disrupt academic activities and the school calendar.

    Sunmonu also appealed to the government to look into ways of improving the condition of service of academic and non-academic staff of universities, which he said had deteriorated due to the petroleum subsidy removal.

    He added that there was a need to revisit the issue of the 8-month salary arrears that arose from the last strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), arguing that members of CONUA did not go on strike.

    Speaking, the Minister of State for Education appealed to students, parents and lecturers in public tertiary institutions to shun acts capable of disrupting the academic session as schools get set for resumption.

    Speaking ahead of the resumption of academic activities in tertiary institutions, Sununu said the show of restraint would be in the best interest of all stakeholders as well as the stability of the system.

    He noted that his ministry is having constructive dialogue and consultation with stakeholders over the welfare of students and staff as well as the provision of infrastructure in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

    While acknowledging that strikes and non-use of facilities could lead to rapid decay, Sununu promised President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to avoid any situation that could lead to further industrial actions.

  • What we are doing to avert nationwide strike by NLC – Lalong

    What we are doing to avert nationwide strike by NLC – Lalong

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Simon Lalong has expressed hope that the ongoing discussion between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) would yield a positive outcome.

    Lalong stated this in an interview with  State House Correspondents shortly after a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the Presidential Villa, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to the welfare and wellbeing of the nation’s workers.

    ”We are here in the Office of the Vice President, as part of our continuation on dialogue with the Nigeria Labour Congress on so many issues that we discussed and the follow up.

    ”Mr President is not around but the Vice President is in the country. So, many of the issues, we will also continue with the Vice President so that there will be smooth, harmonious working relationship with the labour,° he said

    On the planned indefinite strike, Lalong said the federal government is deliberating very well with the NLC.

    ”As for me, I don’t think there is any problem, because  we are moving fine with the NLC and you know the posture of the president is towards the improved welfare for the labour in Nigeria.

    ”We have no doubt that this will be resolved amicably and that is why, at many of the meetings we had with labour, we are not ending up boxing ourselves, rather, we are smiling out with the hope that the best is going to come out

    ”We have been having friendly engagements with them. We do not have any fear about some of the things they put up. Also, the suggestions and the packages are being looked into by the federal government,” he said.

    Recall that the federal government and the NLC agreed to continue talks over post-subsidy removal palliatives for workers before the 21-day ultimatum issued by the NLC will expire.

    Both also agreed to find solutions to key demands tabled before the government by organised labour before the deadline.

    Lalong had disclosed the agreements while addressing newsmen at the end of a closed door meeting with the NLC on Monday in Abuja.

    The meeting was called by the minister to avert the organised labour’s planned strike and other issues.

    Recall that  NLC threatened to embark on strike from Sept. 21, over untold hardship on the masses due to the removal of fuel subsidy.

  • Strike: What we discussed with NLC – Labour Minister

    Strike: What we discussed with NLC – Labour Minister

    The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have agreed to continue talks over post-subsidy removal palliatives for workers before the 21-day ultimatum issued by the NLC.

    Both also pledged to find solutions to key demands tabled before the government by organised labour before the deadline.

    Mr Simon Lalong, Minister of Labour and Employment said this while addressing newsmen at the end of a closed door meeting with the NLC on Monday in Abuja.

    The meeting was called by the minister to avert the organised labour’s planned strike and other issues.

    It would be recalled that the NLC had threatened to embark on strike from Sept. 21, over untold hardship on the masses due to the removal of fuel subsidy.

    According to him, we had a fruitful discussions on many of the items, that the NLC had been tabled previously before the Federal Government.

    “Many of the items presented by Labour were still under consideration before the final agreement,” he said.

    The minister, however, said that the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of workers as raised by the NLC.

    He noted that the government acknowledge the valid grievances that had fuelled the recent crisis , and were committed to addressing the issues in just equitable manner.

    He also urged the NLC to also consider the economic reality of the nation, as they take actions in ensuring the wellbeing of workers.

    “As we address the concerns of our workforce, we must be mindful of striking a balance that promotes economic growth and secures sustainable progress for our nation,” he said.

    He called on organised labour to work with government to explore strategies that would enhance working conditions and benefits of workers while also nurturing a robust economy.

    “Today, I call upon each one of you to join hands in an open-minded and constructive dialogue.

    “This will enable us to bridge any gaps that may exist between the interests of workers and the ultimate goal of driving economic advancement,” Lalong said.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC Pesident said that both parties have agreed to continue to deliberate to arrive at a meaningful agreement before the ultimatum ends.

    According to Ajaero, we equally discussed frankly the issue bordering the coup floated and executed by the Nigeria Police against the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

    “That has led to the detention of their democratically elected national officers and both parties agreed to show concern towards the resolution of the matter.

    “On the other issue you can see that there is no agreement or implementation on any. There is no CNG anywhere.

    “Refineries are not working. No agreement on wage award. Those are the issues we believe that something will happen before the ultimatum expires. It is possible that something will happen.

    “We had a convivial deliberation with the minister and we hope that even if it is remaining one day we will get to the root of all these problems,” he said.

    He added that, whenever we are invited we will be there. Both parties will work towards the realisation of these objectives before the last minute of the ultimatum.

  • Thousands of British doctors strike again in row over pay

    Thousands of British doctors strike again in row over pay

    Thousands of NHS consultants were on strike across England in a dispute over payment as the country’s health service braced itself for another wave of industrial action.

    Consultants would also walk out on Wednesday, when they will be joined by junior doctors in the first joint strike in the history of the NHS.

    Junior doctors, who have held 19 days of strike action since March, would then continue their strike on Thursday and Friday this week.

    Both consultant and junior doctor members of the British Medical Association (BMA) will again join forces for strikes on Oct. 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

    Thousands of operations and appointments have been cancelled as a result of the strikes, with NHS leaders warning that some patients are seeing their appointments rescheduled three times.

    A Christmas Day-style service would be provided on the joint strike action days, with emergency care the priority.

    It came as the government outlined plans to extend strike laws to ensure doctors and nurses in hospitals provide a minimum level of cover.

    The new regulations, which were opened to consultation, would mean doctors and nurses have to provide a certain level of cover.

    This would be after being issued with a work notice by employers on what is needed to maintain “necessary and safe levels of service.

    Consultations on minimum service levels have already run for ambulance staff, fire and rescue services and passenger rail workers, after the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act became law.