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Tag: Strike

  • Health workers suspend 12-day strike

    Health workers suspend 12-day strike

    Health workers’ union under the umbrella of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has suspended its 12-day-old strike.

    Mr Obinna Ogbonna, JOHESU National Vice President said this on Monday to newsmen.

    Ogbonna said the strike had been suspended due to the progress made during the engagement with President Bola Tinubu.

    He said the health workers called a meeting shortly after meeting with the president and decided to call off the strike and gave a 21-day timeline to the government

    “We met with President Tinubu at the villa and he pleaded with the striking health workers to give him the benefit of the doubt.

    “The president says that he will resolve the matters amicably to our own benefit and positive results,” Ogbonna said.

    According to him, the congress considered his plea and also said we should give a 21-day timeline to assess progress and commitment of state actors in resolving the issues.

    JOHESU is the umbrella body of health workers’ unions and associations, including the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, and Senior Staff Association of Universities’ Teaching Hospitals Research Institutes and Associated Institutions.

    The unions’ demands include immediate approval and implementation of the Technical Committee Report on CONHESS adjustment by the federal government; immediate payment of the omission and shortfall in the COVID-19 hazard/inducement allowances of affected health workers in the federal health institutions and recognition of health workers in non-core hospital facilities in the payment of new hazard allowances and payment and inculcation of peculiar allowances to health workers under the JOHESU/AHPA.

    Others are immediate and unconditional implementation of the Pharmacist Consultant cadre; unconditional payment of all withheld salaries of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH and April and May 2018 salaries of members at National Obstetric, Fistula centre, NOFIC, Azare, Bauchi State and speedy implementation of the increase in retirement age from 60 to 65 years and 70 years for consultants in the health professions.

    The leadership of JOHESU had in a letter dated May 9, issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over alleged inconsistencies of the government in the ongoing negotiations to adjust the Consolidated Health Salary Structure for health workers on their platforms.

  • BREAKING! FG, NLC, TUC, finally resolve to suspend strike

    BREAKING! FG, NLC, TUC, finally resolve to suspend strike

    …to reconvene negotiations on June 19

    The Federal Government, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have collectively agreed to suspend the strike scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who read the resolution, said the meeting would reconvene on June 19.

    The resolution is as follows:

    Resolution of Engagement between the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Federal Government to resolve the issues associated with the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) on June 5, 2023.

    Following the engagements between the Federal Government, TUC and the NLC, with the intervention of the Speaker, House of Representatives to resolve the disputes that arose from the withdrawal of subsidy on PMS the following resolutions were reached:

    The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to establish a joint committee to review the proposal for any wage increase or award and establish a framework and timeline for implementation.

    2. The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to review World Bank Financed Cash transfer scheme and propose inclusion of low-income earners in the program.

    The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to revive the CNG conversion program earlier agreed with Labor centers in 2021 and work out detailed implementation and timing.

    4. The Labour centers and the Federal Government to review issues hindering effective delivery in the education sector and propose solutions for implementation.

    The Labour centers and the Federal Government to review and establish the framework for completion of the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries.

     

    6. The Federal Government to provide a framework for the maintenance of roads and expansion of rail networks across the country.

    All other demands submitted by the TUC to the Federal Government will be assessed by the joint committee

     

    Consequently, the parties agreed follows:

    A. The NLC to suspend the notice of strike forthwith to enable further consultations.

    B .The TUC and the NLC to continue the ongoing engagements with the Federal Government and secure closure on the resolutions above.

    C .The Labour Centers and the Federal Government to meet on June 19, 2023, to agree on an implementation framework.

  • Breaking! Industrial Court halts NLC planned strike for Wednesday

    Breaking! Industrial Court halts NLC planned strike for Wednesday

    The National Industrial Court has halted the planned industrial action by the Nigerian Labour Congress NLC slated for Wednesday over withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

    The verdict was given on Monday by Justice O.Y.Anuwe and next hearing fixed for June 19.

    Details shortly…

  • Fuel subsidy: Judicial workers declare nationwide strike

    Fuel subsidy: Judicial workers declare nationwide strike

    Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), has announced that it has joined industrial action over the removal of fuel subsidy.

    Recall that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) had increased the price of fuel per litre from N197 to between N488 and N570 across the country.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had subsequently declared nationwide strike, with effect from Wednesday, June 7.

    In a statement issued by JUSUN’s General Secretary, M.J. Akwashiki, directed all branches and chapters of the union to begin nationwide mobilisation and withdrawal of service from Wednesday.

    “This followed a decision of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) at her meeting on 2nd June, 2023 over the increase in the pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the Federal Government through the NNPCL,” he said.

    “All zonal vice presidents are to coordinate their zones by ensuring that branch and chapters chairmen mobilise their members for a total compliance.”

     

     

  • President Tinubu meets with striking health workers, makes promises

    President Tinubu meets with striking health workers, makes promises

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged his administration’s commitment to the revival of the country’s health sector in order to restore public confidence.

    The president stated this while having an audience with leaders of Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Monday in Abuja.

    While harping on the importance of health and the professionals in the sector to humanity, he promised to resolve all the challenges facing the sector for optimum performance.

    “The health sector is one with a commitment to humanity. We will resolve all the problems. Trust must be enshrined in all discussions.

    “I promise you, we will accelerate this. We will resolve all the issues. Please go back to work,” he said.

    Acting Chairman of the union, Dr Obinna Ogbonna, said that members of the union were ready to go back to work for the benefit of all Nigerians.

    Ogbonna pleaded with the president to pay attention to healthcare delivery system through investment in infrastructure and better welfare for workers so as to stop the brain drain currently plaguing the sector.

    “Mr President, now that we have assurance from the top, we are encouraged to go back and talk to our members with a view to going back to work,” he said.

    A member of JOHESU executive council, Mr Olumide Akintayo, urged the Federal Government to always respond to labour issues and nip them in the bud proactively.

    Members of the union had, on May 25, embarked on an indefinite strike to press home their demands.

    The industrial action has hampered hospital services in federal government hospitals across the country.

    The health workers are demanding for immediate approval and implementation of the technical committee report on Consolidated Health Salary Structure adjustment.

    They are also demanding for immediate payment of the omission and shortfall in the COVID-19 hazard/inducement allowances of the affected health workers in federal health institutions.

    The union is also seeking for payment of the new hazard allowance and peculiar allowance to its members, under the aegis of JOHESU/AHPA.

  • Fani-Kayode slams NLC over decision to initiate nationwide strike

    Fani-Kayode slams NLC over decision to initiate nationwide strike

    Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode, has criticised the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), for its decision to initiate a nationwide strike, which aims to cripple the country’s economy.

    The NLC declared the forthcoming strike following the significant hike in petrol prices due to the removal of fuel subsidy.

    NLC on Sunday shunned a meeting called by the Federal Government to discuss the subsidy removal and the attendant hike in fuel pump prices across the country.

    The union insisted that it would not hold any dialogue with the government representatives unless a legitimate team was set up.

    In response to the planned strike, Fani-Kayode released a statement via his Twitter handle on Monday, lambasting the NLC.

    He questioned why the labour union remained silent when the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, introduced the controversial cashless policy earlier this year.

    Fani-Kayode’s statement reads:“The leadership of the NLC did not threaten to go on strike when the sadistic monster called Emefiele introduced his horrendous, callous, wicked, malevolent, barbaric, vicious, self-seeking, politically-motivated, unconstitutional, and illegal cash confiscation and money deprivation policy that resulted in the suffering, hunger, destruction, death, suicide, hardship, depression, frustration, madness, and despair of millions of our people.”

    “Instead, they are threatening to go on strike over the implementation of a well-thought-out and credible policy on oil subsidy, which the Nigerian people endorsed by voting for a President who promised to remove it.

    “Although initially challenging, this policy will inevitably and eventually lead to the restoration and rejuvenation of our economy, ensuring the necessary funds and resources for massive infrastructural development.”

    Fani-Kayode highlighted what he saw as the insincerity, double standards, and hypocrisy of the NLC’s leadership, portraying them as acting out a predetermined script under the influence of Peter Obi.

    “Whether the NLC likes it or not, the oil subsidy MUST and WILL be removed. It is the only way to save our country from the fiscal challenges, decay, and deterioration it has experienced over the past 15 years, and to put us back on the right track for national development.”

  • Breaking: Total darkness looms as electricity workers join NLC strike

    Breaking: Total darkness looms as electricity workers join NLC strike

    Apparently following the directive of the organised labour umbrella, the Nigerian Labour Congress NLC, National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE has joined this week’s nationwide strike scheduled for Wednesday.

    TheNewsGuru.com,(TNG) recalls that after the failed dialogue with Federal Government on the way forward over the sudden withdrawal of fuel subsidy, NLC had given a clear directive to all affiliated unions to embark on a national industrial action.

    NUEE in a statement signed by the acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike dated June 2, 2023 directed all state chapters of the union to start mobilisation of workers towards a total showdown on Wednesday

    See letter below:

  • BREAKING: Finally, NLC declares nationwide strike over fuel subsidy removal

    BREAKING: Finally, NLC declares nationwide strike over fuel subsidy removal

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said it would begin a nationwide strike on Wednesday over the current increase in the pump price.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President, said this while addressing newsmen at the end of its emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Friday.

    Ajaero said that Labour would embark on strike if the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) fails to revert the current template on the increase in the price of fuel occasioned by the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

    “Consequently, NLC has decided that If by Wednesday, the NNPCL, a private Limited Liability Company, that illegally announced the price regime in the oil sector, refuses to revert itself for negotiation to continue, the Nigeria Labour Congress and all its affiliates will withdraw their services and commence protest nationwide until this is complied with.

    “The NNPCL does not have the monopoly to fix prices even as a private company.

    “The NLC, therefore, directs all its state councils and industrial unions to commence mobilisation from this moment to make sure that the action is carried out,’’ he said.

    Ajaero also said that the ongoing negotiation between the NLC and Federal Government might not produce any meaningful result until President Bola Tinubu constitutes his cabinet.

    He said that it was important that the NLC entered into negotiation with properly constituted government that would see that any decision taken would be binding on it.

    According to him, it is instructive that until a government is properly constituted and the people who will negotiate with labour are such people with mandate and capacity to commit the government of the day, such negotiations may not be valid.

    The NLC president, however, said that hence, there was need to revert to the old pump price of petrol as a necessity for labour to continue its engagement with the government.

    He also called for a wholistic investigation into the fuel subsidy regime to determine the beneficiaries of what he described as the fraud in the system.

    Ajaero added that this should have been tackled by the current government, rather than going ahead to withdraw subsidy entirely.

    NNPCL had recently announced a new pump price for petrol ranging from N488 to N570 per liter depending on the region of the country.

  • Breaking! NLC declares nationwide strike from next week Wednesday

    Breaking! NLC declares nationwide strike from next week Wednesday

    The Nigerian Labour Congress NLC has declared a nationwide strike starting from next week Wednesday.

    This is coming amid fuel shortages across the country occasioned by President Bola Tinubu’s inaugural speech in which he declared that “fuel subsidy is gone”.

    NLC President Joe Ajaero made the announcement after an emergency meeting of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) in Abuja.

    He said the government, particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited had up until Wednesday next week to revert to the old price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise referred to as petrol.

    Ajaero added that failure of the Federal Government to meet the ultimatum would attract an indefinite protest across the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls on Monday during his inaugural speech at the Eagle Square in Abuja, Tinubu said the era of subsidy payment on fuel has ended, adding that with the 2023 budget making no provision for fuel subsidy, further payment was no longer justifiable.

    “The fuel subsidy is gone,” Tinubu said. His government would instead channel funds into infrastructure and other areas to strengthen the economy, he added.

    The presidential pronouncement led to an almost instant resurgence of fuel queues across the country with Nigerians foraging for the premium product.

  • Breaking! NLC orders workers to embark on strike tomorrow (Video)

    Breaking! NLC orders workers to embark on strike tomorrow (Video)

    President of Nigeria’s apex labour body, NLC, Joe Ajaero has ordered Nigerian workers to embark on a nationwide industrial action to protest the adjustment of fuel pump price from N195 to N550.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this development is unfolding hours after the negotiation NLC had with the Federal Government on Wednesday which reportedly failed.

    Recall also that the NNPCL had on Tuesday adjusted fuel pump prices across the country from N195 to N550 with various states having different templates.

    In this video captured on TVC on Friday, the NLC president Joe Ajaero made it clear that the negotiation failed and Nigerian workers should embark on a nationwide industrial action.

    Watch clip below:

     

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