TheNewsGuru

Tag: TUC

  • FG gets new order to stop planned NLC, TUC strike

    FG gets new order to stop planned NLC, TUC strike

    The Federal Government has obtained a fresh order against the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from going on planned strike slated for Monday.

    Justice Ibrahim Galadima of the National Industrial Court issued the order in Abuja in an ex parte application by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that Galadima had issued the same restraining ex parte order for Peace and Unity Ambassadors Association on Thursday.

    The NLC and TUC had declared a nationwide strike on Monday over reversal of the recent hike in electricity tariff and petrol pump price.

     

  • FG shifts meeting with NLC, TUC

    FG shifts meeting with NLC, TUC

    The Federal Government has rescheduled the meeting between the government team and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to discuss the economy to Tuesday next week.

    Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Charles Akpan confirmed the development in a text message on Saturday.

    The government stated that the meeting would now hold at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige had announced on Friday that a government team would meet with NLC and TUC as well as other CSOs to discuss recent increase in electricity tariff and petrol price on Saturday.

    Ngige had stated that the meeting, called on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, would provide the government team an opportunity to open its books to organised labour and explain why it took recent decisions.

    But in the message by Akpan, the government noted that it became inevitable to reschedule the meeting since the leadership of organised labour and other civil society organisations were not likely to be available in one fold.

    The message reads: “The meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday, 15th Sept at 10am. Venue is Banquet Hall of Presdential Villa.

    “This is to accommodate all participants.”

    NLC President, Ayubba Wabba had said on Friday that the leadership of NLC would not attend the meeting earlier scheduled for today (Saturday) because it was too sudden.

    Wabba had stated that the short notice given for the meeting by the government had made it impossible for labour leaders who are spread in different locations to attend.

    Wabba had stated: “The information about the meeting was communicated by the minister of labour in the afternoon today.

    “Due to the short notice it not possible for Labour leadership who are spread in different locations to attend.

    “We have proposed a reschedule.”

  • No going back on planned protest against fuel price hike – TUC

    No going back on planned protest against fuel price hike – TUC

    The Trade Union Congress on Saturday says it will not go back on its decision to embark on a protest on Tuesday against the increase in the prices of fuel and electricity tariff despite speculations about a court order stopping the proposed demonstration.

    TUC Deputy National President, Chika Onuegbu, who disclosed this to The newsmen, said the union had begun to mobilise its members for the protest and strike.

    Explaining that the TUC was not aware of any court order to stop the planned protest, Onuegbu condemned the increase of fuel price, adding that the Federal Government’s action had become a burden on Nigerians.

    He said, “I must say that we are mobilising our members for the planned protest on Tuesday. Some are talking about a court order; but to the best of my knowledge, we are not aware of any court order stopping our planned protest.

    “I am also not aware that our secretariat has received any court order; our people have not been served. As a matter of fact, we are preoccupied with mobilising our members for the protest.

    “The increase in fuel price is an extra burden on us and our families; the increase in electricity tariff is an extra burden on us and our families; the increase in Value Added Tax is an extra burden on us and our families; and the general increase in food prices.

    “While all these are happening, our members are being owed salaries, gratuities and pensions. Honestly speaking, we have a lot that we are bothered with this period. I think we have to really make a statement that Labour is united in the struggle for a better Nigeria.”

    Onuegbu called on the Federal Government to immediately revert to the old prices of fuel before the recent increase to avert the protest.

    “Again, the National Secretariat has not given any counter-order to say we should not proceed with the protest/strike.

    “The last order I know is that we have to go ahead with the strike and it is that order we are working on. The government should immediately revert to the old price of petrol before these increases,” he maintained.

  • TUC blasts FG over increment in petrol price, says Buhari-led govt killing the dead

    TUC blasts FG over increment in petrol price, says Buhari-led govt killing the dead

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has condemned the increase in petrol price and electricity tariff in the country.

    The TUC expressed its disappointment on Thursday in a statement titled, ‘Killing the dead,’ and signed by its president, Quadri Olaleye, and Secretary-General, Musa-Lawal Ozigi.

    It said, “For the umpteenth time, we have complained about the gradual and steady annihilation of Nigeria in the light of government action.

    “Like the book by George Orwell, titled ‘1884’, the government and its agencies have resorted to doing the opposite of what they were set up to do. Government, instead of providing welfare, is killing the people systematically.”

    The TUC said increasing petrol prices and electricity tariffs, among others, “at a time people are losing jobs, businesses are not moving in the light of COVID-19, is, to say the least, wicked.”

    It said from all indications, it appeared the government had lost touch with Nigerians, adding the government of the day has implemented all the policies Nigerians have kicked against in the past.

    The union added, “They have developed a thick skin that our pleas and cries no longer mean anything to them. No government has raped this country like the present one; ironically it has enjoyed our understanding the most.

    “They beat us and when we cry, they send security operatives after us or force us to pay a fine of N5m for ‘’hate speech’’. Our patience has run out.

    “in droves, Nigerians flee the shores of this country. Just two days we protested the hike in electricity tariff and sadly, yesterday they slammed us with fuel hike, at a time countries like Ghana and Canada, are giving out palliatives to cushion the effect of coronavirus pandemic. It is difficult to cope in this circumstance.

    “Do we still wonder why unemployment and insecurity have increased? This is disgustingly shameful. We urge government to listen to the voice of reason and reverse the price immediately.

    “Stop pushing Nigerians to the wall. This is too daring. The Congress is calling a meeting of its organs to take decisions on this obnoxious move. The dead are dying again; stop killing the dead!”

  • TUC plans nationwide protest over Buhari’s alleged inaction concerning corruption in EFCC, NDDC, NSITF

    TUC plans nationwide protest over Buhari’s alleged inaction concerning corruption in EFCC, NDDC, NSITF

    The Presidency has frowned at the reported plan by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to embark on a nationwide protest over the alleged President Buhari’s “inaction over the high-level of corruption uncovered at some Federal Government’s commissions.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both the Executive and Legislative arms are currently investigating alleged cases of misconduct at the Niger Delta Development Agency (NDDC), the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

    Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity in a statement in Abuja on Monday, however, described the planned protests against the affected commissions by TUC as ill advised and totally uncalled for.

    This is so, according to the presidential aide, in view of the fact that there are ongoing investigations in the cases by both the Executive and Legislative arms of government.

    He said that these processes must be allowed to run their full courses.

    ”It is against the norm in a democratic society as well as the natural laws of justice to seek “action,” meaning punishment against offenders before proper investigation, trial and conviction.

    ”The President has made it clear that the allegations that have surfaced clearly “constitute a breach of trust” and as the investigations take hold and close out, all those found wanting will face the wrath of the law.

    ”The TUC, as an enlightened group of labour unionists, should indeed voice their indignation whenever such acts are being unearthed.

    ”However, the expectation will be for it to also raise the bar higher, in terms of the debate concerning the impact of such allegations on our ability, to create and retain employment, attract investment, improve the living conditions of its members and citizens, and how a preponderance of these heinous crimes decimates any gains being made in other spheres.

    ”The world is confronted with a global public health crisis, decline in economic growth, and expanding areas of conflict by non-state actors,” he said.

    According to him, all these ills in their singular or combined form are consuming every nation, and Nigeria is no exception.

    He, therefore, maintained that, ”we must hold the line and lock arms that way we rid ourselves of these existential issues whilst we grapple with those that are our own homegrown problems.

    ”This administration is committed to doing just that, and organisations like the TUC should be extending a hand in supporting such a fight that is in our collective interest,” he said.

  • Breaking: Organised labour suspends strike in Niger

    Breaking: Organised labour suspends strike in Niger

    The Organised labour in Niger has suspended the strike it started on February 4 over non implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage.

    The strike was called off on Sunday following resolutions reached between the state government and labour.

    The suspension was contained in a statement by Mr Yakubu Garba, Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart Yunusa Tanimu in Minna.

    Recall that the labour unions had directed their members to commence an indefinite strike over non implementation of the new national minimum wage and other entitlements.

    “We are happy to announce to you that the series of rigorous meetings and negotiations between Niger state government and organised labour has finally yielded results.

    “As is traditional with the principle of collective bargaining, both parties made concessions in the interest of sustainability and progress of Niger state.”

    It said that the government and organised labour resolved that the discussion on pension issues resumed immediately.

    The statement said that it was agreed that the Ministries of Finance and Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs be directed to pay the outstanding leave grants between May and September.

    It further said that it was agreed that the issue of N30,000 National Minimum Wage for grade levels 01 and 06 in all salary structures had been concluded and government effected payment within January.

    That the Local Government Councils would start payment with effect from February.

    It was also agreed that the arrears for state workers would be for two months and for local government workers, three months to be paid in March.

  • Minimum wage: Workers should not listen to Timi Frank, Ngige – TUC

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has advised Nigerian workers to shun remarks by Timi Frank, the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of APC that labour leaders have compromised.

    The Chairman, Enugu State chapter of the Union, Mr. Chukwuma Igbokwe, told newsmen in Enugu on Friday that if government listened to Frank, it might spell doom for the country and could precipitate a protracted labour unrest.

    In the same vein, the labour leader also urged workers to disregard the comment made by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige that government could not pay the new minimum wage unless some workers were laid off.

    According to him, Ngige probably did not know what he was saying when he said that government could not afford to pay the consequential salary adjustment unless the workforce was downsized.

    He said that government could pay N580 billion workers wage bill, pointing out that government had already paid N500 billion on arrears of salary.

    Recall that Timi Frank had advised the Federal Government to disregard the labour threat of going on strike over the implementation of the new minimum wage, insisting that labour leaders hobnob with those in authority and thus lacked the integrity to call workers out for strike.

    “He doesn’t know what he is talking about because if government should listen to him, it will be easier for labour to take drastic action,” Igbokwe advised.

    Igbokwe said that this would aggravate the issue unless a consensus was reached after October 16 when further negotiation between labour and government would take place.

    “I don’t think Ngige knows what he is saying,” the labour leader said.

    He said that the organised labour had made it clear that upward increment in worker’s salary became necessary because of the prevailing economic realities in the country such as the increase in monetary foreign exchange, VAT as well as general high cost of living in the country.

    “Labour has been magnanimous in scaling down their demand from 66.6 per cent to 29 per cent and 24 per cent, and for this reason, government should heed to their demand.

  • New Minimum Wage: NLC, TUC issue fresh nationwide strike notice

    Nigeria’s labour unions on Wednesday threatened to embark on a nationwide strike from Oct. 16, if the Federal Government fails to reconvene the meeting of the committee negotiating the consequential adjustment on the new minimum wage.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at a meeting with the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC)-Trade Union Side) in Abuja, warned that labour would not guarantee industrial peace in the country if their demands were not met by government.

    Public sector workers in Nigeria have been contending with frustrations from day to day, following the inability of the Federal Government and organised labour to reach a deal over a new wage that came into effect more than six months ago.

    In a statement jointly signed by NLC the President, Ayuba Wabba, his TUC counterpart, Quadri Olaleye and Simon Anchaver, Acting Chairman of JNPSNC (Trade Union Side), the unionists said that labour had all along demonstrated restraint and patience with government.

    They noted that labour had to moderate its initial position of having 66.6 per cent upward salary adjustment for workers on salary grade level 07 to grade level 17 by accepting downward adjustment of 29 per cent for officers on salary levels 07-14 and 24 per cent adjustment for officers on salary grade levels 15-17.

    “Despite this patriotic gesture, government has kept insisting that it can only pay 11 per cent for officers on grade levels 07-14 and 6.5 per cent consequential wage increase to public workers for officers on levels 15-17.”

    According to them, the naira has suffered devaluation from N150 to $1 in 2011 to N360 to $1 in 2019, a depreciation of 140 per cent.

    The unionists said that since the last national minimum wage of N18,000 was put in place, workers had been forced to suffer huge inflation and astronomical hike in the prices of essential goods and services.

    They pointed out that petroleum price had been hiked from N87 per litre to N145 per litre which translated to 60 per cent price increase and that electricity tariff increased by about 60 per cent.

    “Of recent, the Value Added Tax (VAT) has been reviewed from 5 per cent to 7.2 per cent.

    “The non-challant attitude of the government negotiating side has dragged negotiations for consequential wages adjustment unduly.

    “The offer by government for salary adjustment of 11 per cent for public workers on salary grade levels 07 – 14 and 6.5 per cent consequential increase for public workers on grade levels 15 – 17 is not acceptable to Nigerian workers.

    “We view the position of government as a show of insensitivity to the general plight of workers and an attempt to collect with the left hand what government has offered with the right hand.

    “We demand the reconvening of the meeting of the committee negotiating the consequential adjustment with a view to concluding the process that started on May 28 within one week.

    “Entering into an agreement with labour to the effect that salary of officers on grade 07-14 should be reviewed upward by 29 per cent while that of officers on grade level 15-17 should be reviewed upwards by 24 per cent.

    “We demand immediate implementation of the signed agreement on consequential adjustment of public workers’ salaries with effect from April 18 when the new national minimum wage of N30, 000 per month was signed into law,” they said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the new minimum wage bill was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on April 18.

    However, deliberations has continued as the issue of relativity and consequential adjustment of salaries still persist.

    On May 14, the Federal Government inaugurated the relativity/consequential adjustment committee, which in turn set up a technical sub-committee, to work out a template for the adjustment of salaries of public service employees.

    However, government and labour have failed to reach an agreement over relativity and consequential adjustment for the implementation of the new minimum wage more than six months since Buhari signed the Minimum Wage Bill into law

  • Conclude discussion on new minimum wage, TUC urges FG

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has urged the Federal Government to urgently conclude discussion on the new minimum wage and commence implementation across board.

    The TUC Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, Mr Gbenga Ekundayo, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

    Ekundayo said that the union had condemned the segmental implementation of the minimum wage for grade levels one to six.

    NAN reports that the junior public servants from grade one to six have started receiving payment of the new minimum wage from the Federal Government for August salary.

    This was confirmed on Sept. 22 by Mr Lawrence Amaechi, the National President, Nigeria Civil Service Union, also a member of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council.

    Ekundayo said: “The government implemented for grade levels one to six, leaving grades level seven upwards out, and we are still discussing around the consequential adjustment and relativity impact.

    “It needs to be quickly dealt with, concluded; what needs to be done is to go to the negotiation table, discuss these issues and let us have implementation for all the workers.”

    Also, the union Secretary, Mr Abiodun Aladetan, expressed displeasure over the delay of the implementation of the minimum wage.

    Aladetan said that it was the duty of government to address the issues in the interest of the workers.

    “It is unfortunate where we are on the minimum wage; recently, the Minister of Labour acknowledged that the government had commenced payment for those on grade levels one to six.

    “This could create division within the labour circle and as a labour movement, we condemn it; it will not deter us, but have a ripple effect on the system.

    “We call on government, as a matter of urgency, to discuss with labour; come to terms with these realities by accepting the demands of the labour movement,”Aladetan said.

  • Johnson’s death shocking, say former PENGASAN, TUC presidents

    Johnson’s death shocking, say former PENGASAN, TUC presidents

    Dr. Brown Ogbeifun, former President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), and Comrade Peter Esele, ex President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), have expressed shock over the death of Mr Francis Johnson.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Johnson died on Friday, May 31, at the National Hospital, Abuja, following an illness.

    Both labor leaders expressed the shock when they paid condolence visit to the family of the deceased in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Ogbeifun, who also condoled with staffers of the association, said that they had lost a bridge builder, who understood the act of communication and believed in mediation in the conflict resolution.

    He said that the deceased was a respecter of people of all ages and at all times.

    He said that the deceased gave his life to the service of his country, stressing that Johnson touched a lot of lives in the country.

    “And to his family, especially his wife, we know that no one can console you the way God will console you.

    “The lord will be the best of husband to you,” he said.

    On his part, Esele said that the news of Johnson’s death was shocking, painful and sad

    He described the deceased as a peace-loving ambassador, who was given to dialogue.

    He said that the deceased always believed that there was a lot of avenues to be employed before embarking on strike.

    According to him, this is a huge loss to PENGASSAN in particular, and a loss to TUC in general, because union members know what he always had to offer.

    He said that the labour union would not neglect the deceased’s family, adding that all his children would be adequately taken care of.

    “We have plans for the children and his name will be immortalised. The family will never walk alone because we will always stand with our own, ” he said.

    The Acting President of PENGASSAN, comrade Frank Esanubi, said it had been a trying moment for the union since Johnson died.

    According to him, some people will die and nobody will remember them.

    “It is not a function of the time that a person spends on earth, but a function of value.

    “We shall miss him. We want to assure you that we shall be part of the family and by God’s help, we will do all we can for the family to support them.

    “We are only appealing to the wife to be strong,” he said.

    Until his death, Johnson was President of PENGASSAN and the third deputy president of TUC.

    Johnson was a labour leader of note, a Christian and a father.