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Tag: TUC

  • NLC, TUC release fresh update on suspended strike

    NLC, TUC release fresh update on suspended strike

    Organised Labour on Tuesday relaxed the indefinite nationwide strike declared on Monday, for one-week, to allow continuation of negotiations.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) made this known in a communique issued at the end of a joint National Executive Council meeting in Abuja.

    It would be recalled that labour had declared an indefinite nationwide strike, midnight of June 2, to press home its demands of  non conclusion of national minimum wage fixing and non reversal of hike in  electricity tariff.

    The communique was jointly signed by Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President and Mr Festus Osifo, President of TUC.

    Ajaero said NEC relaxed the indefinite strike, following the resolution by the federal government to offer more than the N60,000, it put forward to the tripartite committee.

    According to Ajaero, in view of the deliberations, the NEC-in-session resolved that there is a greater need to create the right ambience for negotiation to continue unhindered.

    “The indefinite nationwide strike action is therefore relaxed for one week from today to allow the federal government commit to a concrete and acceptable national minimum wage;.

    “Also to take definite steps to reverse the electricity tariff hike back to N66/kwh and abolish the discriminatory classification of electricity consumers into Bands.

    “The NLC and TUC National Leadership are mandated to continue to maintain open channels of communication with the Federal Government to negotiate and secure favourable outcomes for Nigerian workers and people.

    “All affiliate unions and State Councils are therefore, directed to relax the indefinite nationwide strike and return to their respective workplaces immediately,” he said.

    Ajaero added that the NEC-in-session expressed profound gratitude to Nigerian workers and the general public for their unwavering support and solidarity in this critical struggle for improved living and working conditions.

    He said that the NLC and TUC remained committed to “pursuing all necessary actions to protect the rights and welfare of all Nigerian people and workers as we urge all to await further directives while the negotiation continues.”

  • Strike: Airport gates now open

    Strike: Airport gates now open

    Domestic airports, Murtala Mohammed Airport Terminal II operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd., and the General Aviation Terminal I managed by the Federal  Airports Authority of Nigeria have opened their gates.

    On Tuesday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) suspended their two-day industrial action.

    The strike which commenced on Monday was called to protest the failure of the Federal Government to approve new minimum wage by May 31 as well as its failure to reverse the hike in electricity tariff.

    Details to follow…

  • BREAKING: Labour suspends strike

    BREAKING: Labour suspends strike

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended the industrial strike action.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports organised labour embarked on the strike on Monday to press home their demand for payment of living wage in the country.

    However, following intervention by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the labour unions have agreed to suspend the strike for negotiations to continue.

    President of TUC, Festus Osifo said on Tuesday in Abuja that the strike has been suspended. Osifo added that a communique would be issued shortly.

    It was gathered that labour agreed to suspend the strike for five (5) days, following a joint extraordinary national executive council meeting of the NLC and TUC.

    Deputy National Secretary of the Association of Air Transport Association of Nigeria (ATTSAN), Francis Akinjorin also confirmed that the action was momentary.

    “It is a suspension; it is not a call-off. We are relaxing the action for one week and not suspending the strike, to give the federal government tlone week grace and test their sincerity,” Akinjorin said.

     

    Details shortly…

  • Nationwide Strike: SGF invites Labour Unions for emergency meeting

    Nationwide Strike: SGF invites Labour Unions for emergency meeting

    George Akume the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF,  has summoned organised labour to an emergency meeting following the ongoing indefinite nationwide strike that has crippled economic and social activities in the country.

    Comrade Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria confirmed the meeting to newsmen on Monday.

    He said , labour leaders comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and TUC were heading to the SGF office for the meeting over the omgoing strike.

    “Yes, we are heading there now,” Osifo said.

    Recall that the Labour Unions are asking the Federal Government for a 494,000 minimum wage.

  • Real reason Labour declared indefinite strike

    Real reason Labour declared indefinite strike

    Leadership of organised labour has declared an indefinite nationwide strike, starting from Monday.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) declared the strike at the end of a joint emergency meeting on Friday in Abuja.

    NLC and TUC had during the May Day celebration issued the Federal Government an ultimatum to ensure that negotiation on new national minimum wage was concluded by May 31.

    The President of TUC, Festus Osifo, told newsmen that the strike had become necessary as the government declined to increase the N60,000 wage it offered on Friday during the meeting of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage.

    Osifo also said that the strike was imperative due to the refusal of government to reverse the hike in electricity tariff.

    “We are hereby declaring the commencement of a nationwide industrial action, effective from Sunday midnight June 2 , 2024,and this strike shall be indefinite.

    “We are united on this and we believe that this is the way forward,” he said.

  • Minimum Wage: We stand on May 31 ultimatum – Labour

    Minimum Wage: We stand on May 31 ultimatum – Labour

    The Organised Labour has reiterated its May 31 ultimatum for the Federal Government to finalise the new national minimum wage fixing process for workers.

    The position was contained in a communique issued at the end of a joint emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    In the communique jointly signed by Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President and Mr Festus Osifo, President of TUC, the organised labour said it’s NEC had thoroughly deliberated on the issue and  considered the current realities as they affects Nigerian workers and masses.

    Labour noted that NEC appreciated the efforts made thus far, but,  emphasised the urgency of reaching a fair and equitable agreement.

    “We need an agreement that will genuinely reflect the true value of Nigerian workers’ contributions to the nation’s development and the current crisis of survival facing Nigerians as a result of government’s policies.

    “The NEC affirms its commitment to ensuring that the interests and welfare of workers are adequately protected in the negotiation process.

    “The NEC-in-session therefore reiterates the ultimatum issued by the NLC and TUC to the federal government, which expires on the last day of this month,” the communiqué read.

    Also in the communiqué the organised labour directed all state councils whose state governments were yet to fully implement the N30,000 national minimum wage and its consequential adjustments to immediately issue a joint two-week ultimatum to the culpable state governments to avert industrial action.

    It also reaffirmed its demands for an immediate reversal of the tariff hike and the “vexatious apartheid categorisation into bands to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian workers and citizens”.

    Labour also gave the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the federal government May 31 ultimatum to meet the demands

    “In the event that the government fails to meet the demands outlined within the stipulated timeframe, the NEC authorizes the leadership of the NLC and TUC to take appropriate actions.

    “This including, but not limited to the mobilisation of workers for peaceful protests and industrial actions, to press home these demands for social justice and workers’ rights,” the communiqué read in part

    The organised labour emphasised the non-negotiable nature of the demands and urged the government to prioritise the resolution of the issues in the best interest of industrial peace.

    It called on all affiliate unions, and workers including Civil Society Organisations across Nigeria to remain united and steadfast in solidarity during the critical period.

  • Labour demands complete reversal of power sector privatisation

    Labour demands complete reversal of power sector privatisation

    The Organised Labour has demanded for the complete reversal of the power sector privatisation and recovery of all public electricity assets sold.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) made the demands while picketing the headquarters of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) over hike in electricity tariff on Monday in Abuja.

    The protesting workers carried placards with inscriptions such as,’We are not generator Republic,’ IMF, World Bank, leave Nigeria Power Sector alone, “Let the poor breathe. Give us affordable and constant light, among others.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President while addressing newsmen said that the privatisation of the power sector was a ‘colossal failure’.

    NERC had recently announced hike in electricity tariff across the nation from N65/kwh to N225/Kwh.

    The organised labour had rejected the increase in the electricity tariff and therefore called for a reversal.

    According to him, Organised Labour in Nigeria demands the complete reversal of the power sector privatisation and the recovery of all public electricity assets.

    “That is which are sold cheap to largely inexperienced, technically deficient and financially challenged private investors.

    “As workers are hit hardest by the increase in electricity tariff. Unlike business people, wage earning workers cannot adjust their income when the cost of utilities are increased.

    “The stagnancy in wage amidst increases in electricity and refined petroleum products push workers over and beyond the limits of sanity and survival.

    “Small and medium scale businesses which accommodates millions of workers in the informal economy is severally affected by the increases in energy cost.

    “This have led to shutdown of business thus blooming Nigeria unemployment market,” he said.

    He therefore, said that Nigeria workers rejected the recent increase in electricity tariff and the associated upgrading and downgrading of customers from one Band to another.

    Ajaero further called on government to respect the Sept. 2021 agreement with Labour that reinforced in 2023 agreement that government must halt further increase in the tariff of public utilities until certain conditions were met.

    He said that this include the review of the privatisation exercise, de- dollarization of gas supply to electricity generation, distribution of pre paid meters to all electricity consumers in Nigeria, among others.

    The NLC president also noted that before the increase in electricity tariff, NERC would have called for a stakeholders meeting for proper consultation.

    Mr Sanusi Garba, Chairman of NERC, commended Labour for its peaceful demonstration in respect of issues affecting the power sector.

    According to him, we have taken input from your demands related to the affordability of the tariff issued by the commission, we have also listened to you and we have listened to the concerns of Nigerians.

    “I want to assure you that we will make adequate representation on the policy side on the issue of affordability of tariffs.

    “We also took note on your call for the diversification of energy sources and I will like to say that the Zukeru 700 mega watt power plant is already on,” he said.

    The organised labour also went to the Ministry of Power and Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

  • Cybersecurity levy: TUC kicks, threatens shutdown

    Cybersecurity levy: TUC kicks, threatens shutdown

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has threatened a shut down of the economy over the plan to begin implementation of the 0.5 per cent cyber security levy on electronic transactions.

    The body urged the Federal Government to direct the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withdraw its directive to financial institutions on the issue, to avert the shutdown.

    The union’s President, Mr Festus Osifo, gave the warning in a statement on Wednesday.

    CBN had recently, directed banks to implement the 0.5 per cent cybersecurity levy on electronic transactions from May 20.

    The apex bank said the directive followed the enactment of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) (amendment) Act 2024.

    It said that the proceeds were to be remitted to the National Cybersecurity Fund which would be administered by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

    Osifo described such plan as illogical, coming at a time that Nigerians were grappling with high cost of living.

    He said that such high cost of living was imposed by devaluation of Naira, hyper hike in the cost of petrol, supersonic increment in the cost of electricity tariff, among others.

    “We are quite disturbed that since the inception of this administration, its policies have brought pain, anguish and sorrow on Nigerians.

    “Whereas, a bank account holder in Nigeria today is currently charged stamp duty, transfer fee, VAT on transfer fee, and all forms of account maintenance levies by both government and the banks, this burden seems not to be enough, as government is poised to inflict further pain on the already battered Nigerians.

    “So, many policies of this government are not only imposing hardship on the downtrodden Nigerians but also on businesses, as some of them are shutting down because of the unfriendly business environment, “ he said.

    The union leader expressed fears that the development would further encourage people to hoard cash at home, reduce financial inclusion, increase poverty and exacerbate misery index.

    According to him, all Nigerians are interested in right now is the urgent conclusion of discussions around the minimum wage.

    “Not a vexatious policy that is further reducing the already depleted disposable income of the masses and indirectly ridiculing the gain which the minimum wage would have brought to the people when concluded,” he added.

  • Workers’ Day: NLC, TUC appeal to FG to address nation’s challenges

    Workers’ Day: NLC, TUC appeal to FG to address nation’s challenges

    The  Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and  Trade Union Congress (TUC) have appealed to the Federal Government to address challenges facing Nigerians before things get out of hand.

    Presidents of  the  unions, Mr Joe Ajaero and Mr Fetus Osifo made the appeal on Wednesday in a joint speech to mark the  2024 Workers’ Day in Abuja.

    They listed such challenges as ranging from harsh economy, insecurity, power/energy sectors and unemployment, among others.

    They said: “Our nation continues to suffer variously as forces of centrifuge wield greater stranglehold upon it, as the citizenry grows more disillusioned.

    “This has persistently reduced civic ownership of the policies, actions and institutions of governance deepening and exacerbating the disconnect between the state and the people.

    “The various agitations around the country for a restructured nation that will be more compact thus nimble to work more effectively and efficiently in delivering greater benefits to the citizenry are manifestations of this,” they said

    The labour leaders added that the increasing spates of violent outbursts around the nation were all expressions of citizens’ frustration with the structures of governance in the country.

    They noted that the violent expression were manifested in clamour for Yoruba nation, IPOB and the Arewa elders’ open disenchantment with governance

    “Our nation continues to manifest in its choice of government actions and decisions deeper pleadings to the forces of nepotism and primordiality.

    “These forces rather than abate in our governance journey especially in a government that was elected in a heavily divisive election cycle, seemed to have strengthened its grip,” they said.

    The duo appealed to President Tinubu to use the opportunity of his power to work towards bringing all the divides in the nation together.

    “We, after the last presidential election, had thought that the present government at the centre would have used the opportunity which the outcome of the last presidential election presented to work towards bringing all the divides in the nation together.

    “We had truly expected a governance framework that would have reflected the nature of the presidential election results as announced by INEC which shows the ruling securing 36 per cent of the total votes cast.

    “Such outcomes would have demanded a more humble and inclusive approach to governance if we are to heal the nation and make progress but that unfortunately has not been the case,” they said.

    The labour leader, nevertheless, expressed hope that if the present government and its institutions implement policies that safeguard the dignity, unity and value of the workforce and the people, it would bolster democracy and fortify the supporting institutions.

    “Conversely, failing to do so weakens democracy, leading to periods of crisis, as we continue to witness now in our nation as was further demonstrated by the recent outbursts in Ibadan few weeks ago and in other parts of the country.

    “We believe that it is now time for us as a nation to come together to create a genuine dialogue of survival.

    “Instead of pretending that all is well with our nation when we are in dire straits, it is crucial for all cleavages in our nation to be brought together to sincerely discuss the national question.

    “We must restructure to reposition our nation to work for the majority,” they said.

    The theme of the  2024 Workers’ Day is, ‘People First’.

  • TUC gives NERC one week ultimatum to reverse increase in electricity tariff

    TUC gives NERC one week ultimatum to reverse increase in electricity tariff

    Festus Osifo, the President of the Trade Union Congress, (TUC) on Wednesday, said it was unethical and unrealistic for Nigerians to pay high electricity tariff.

    According to the TUC, the new electricity tarrif is very unrealistic.

    They however  urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to reverse the increase in electricity tariff within one week.

    Osifo who spoke at the 2024 Workers’ Day in Abuja, also expressed dissatisfaction with the epileptic power situation in the country, which is affecting the country’s economic growth.

    He said it’s very important that any nation incapable of effectively and efficiently managing its energy resources faces certain ruin.

    He said, “One of the pivotal factors constraining our nation is our glaring incompetence in managing this sector for the collective welfare of our citizens.

    “Power, regardless of its source, remains paramount in kickstarting any economy, while oil and gas are indispensable for robust energy success in every country. “

    Continuing, he said  the plight of the power sector remains unchanged over a decade after privatisation of the sector.

    “The reasons are glaringly evident. As long as those who sold the companies remain the buyers, Nigerians will continue to face formidable challenges in the power sector.

    ”It is unethical to force Nigerians to pay higher tariffs for non-existent electricity.

    “Estimated billing is an extortion and a daylight robbery against Nigerians, ” he said.

    Recall that NERC approved an increase in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification.

    The Vice Chairman, NERC, Musliu Oseni, said the increase will see the customers paying N225 kilowatt per hour from the current N66.