The organised labour in Nigeria has disclosed plans to embark on a nationwide shut down.
The labour unions in the country say they can no longer guarantee industrial harmony from November 8 over the assault on Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The organised labour, comprising NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC), held a press briefing on Friday over the incident in Imo State.
Details shortly…
Some members of the Organized Private Sector (OPS) have revealed that only 10 million out of the 73 million Nigerian workers have enrolled in the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
They made the disclosure at the interactive session on the Contributory Pension Scheme for the OPS organized by the National Pension Commission in collaboration with the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) on Friday in Enugu.
The Enugu State Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Personnel, Dr Onyeka Okoh expressed dismay that 63 million workers in the country had yet to enroll in the CPS describing it as unfortunate.
According to Okoh, whereas the federal workers and the multinational companies in Nigeria are complying with the Pension Scheme Act of 2014, many others especially the informal sector were yet to comply.
Okoh attributed the low enrollment to corruption and lack of strong will on the part of regulatory bodies adding that if Nigeria must get it right, corruption must be “killed”.
He noted that the multinationals were able to comply because of the way they were structured to function well while their counterparts in Nigeria hardly complied with the PenCom scheme.
Also contributing, the South East Chairman of the National Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Ugo Chime, while appraising the importance of PenCom, said that retirement before the scheme was a nightmare for workers.
“Before, life after retirement could be described as uncertain and unpredictable. However, with the Pension Reform Act 2014, the narrative has changed significantly.
“Primarily, because no matter the efforts put into a system or process, there will always be a room for improvement. Thus, following the enactment of the Act and successive PenCom leadership, we have had series of improvements and innovation in the pension scheme administration,” Chime said.
In his remarks, the Enugu State Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Mr Chika Ugwuoke, said the state government under the leadership of Mr Peter Mbah, would do its best to encourage workers to participate in the CPS.
The commissioner said that the governor had placed workers and pensioners welfare a priority and would do everything possible to improve their welfare.
In a message to the interactive session, the Director General of PenCom, Mrs Aisha Dahir-Umar, applauded NECA for offering its platform for continuous social dialogue with members of the OPS on the implementation of the contributory pension scheme in the country.
Dahir-Umar represented by the Head, Compliant and Enforcement of the commission, Mr Bala Babangida, said the dialogue had generated an invaluable impact on the implementation of the scheme over the years.
The event was attended by the state Chairmen of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrades Ben Asogwa and Fabian Nwaigbo as well as representatives of the civil society.
The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission has disclosed that the N35,000 approved by President Bola Tinubu for all treasury-paid federal government workers in the country will stay until a new national minimum wage bill is signed into law.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ekpo Nta, Chairman and CEO of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission made this disclosure in a circular titled “Grant of Wage Award by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) for Federal Workers”.
The circular, dated 19th October 2023, was addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President; Honourable Ministers/Ministers of State; Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Chairmen, Federal Commissions; Federal Permanent Secretaries, and Clerk of the National Assembly.
Others are Secretary, National Judicial Council; Secretary, Federal Judicial Service Commission; Directors-General and Chief Executives of Parastatals; Agencies and Governments-Owned Companies; Auditor-General for the Federation; Accountant-General of the Federation, and Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation.
According to the circular, the N35,000.00 provisional wage award is effective from 1st September 2023 and the implementation will be funded from the national treasury, pending when a new national minimum wage is expected to have been signed into law.
“I refer to the Memorandum of Understanding reached between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Monday, 2nd October 2023 as a result of the dispute arising from withdrawal of subsidy on the price of premium motor spirit (PMS), and hereby convey the approval of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the grant of a wage award of N35,000.00 (thirty-five thousand Naira) only per month to all Federal Government workers with effect from 1st September 2023 pending when a new national minimum wage is expected to have been signed into law,” the circular reads.
Recall President Tinubu approved the N35,000 as a provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers in response to agitations arising from the removal of fuel subsidy and the resultant economic hardship.
However, before this disclosure by Nta, the President had said the N35,000 provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers was for a period of six months.
“Accordingly, the implementation of the N35,000.00 per month wage award for all Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies that are treasury-funded will be funded from the treasury. Non-treasury funded Federal Government agencies are to implement same from their internally generated revenue (IGR) or statutory allocations.
“Enquiries concerning this circular should be directed to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission,” the circular added.
See circular below:
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the agreement reached between labour unions in the country and the federal government (FG) to avert the October 3 industrial strike action.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports FEC gave the approval on Monday, according to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong.
Recall the Nigeria Labour Union (NLC) and the Trade union Congress (TUC) declared October 3 to begin an indefinite strike over the issue of fuel subsidy removal palliatives.
However, following series of meetings by representatives of the FG, including Lalong with the labour unions, the proposed industrial action was suspended.
The decision to suspend the strike followed the agreements reached between the NLC and TUC and government on the provision of palliatives to ease the suffering of Nigerians.
Speaking with state house correspondents, Lalong said FEC gave approval for the agreement and also approved the 30 days implementation timeline.
“Presidential approval was given after analysing the agreement, to provide for industrial harmony.
“Similarly, the 30 days implementation timeline agreed on was also approved by FEC,” the Labour Minister said.
TNG reports the offers made by the Federal Government to suspend the strike include the waiver of VAT on diesel for next six months.
The Federal Government also committed to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy.
The parties noted Federal Government’e provisional wage increment of N35,000 for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months.
The Federal Government also committed to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises and the payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for a three-month period, from October to December 2023.
TNG reports the FG also agreed to constitute a sub-committee to work out the details of implementation of all items for consideration regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
Below is the full highlights of the agreement:
1. The Federal Government grants a wage award of N35,000 (thirty-five thousand Naira) only to all Federal Government workers beginning from the month of September pending when a new national minimum wage is expected to have been signed into law.
2. A minimum wage committee shall be inaugurated within one month from the date of this agreement.
3. Federal Government suspends collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) on Diesel for six months beginning from October, 2023.
4. Federal Government accepts to vote N100 billion for the provision of high capacity CNG buses for mass transit in Nigeria. Provisions are also being made for initial 55,000 CNG conversion kits to kick start an auto gas conversion programme, whilst work is ongoing on state-of-the-art CNG stations nationwide. The rollout aims to commence by November with pilots across 10 campuses nationwide.
5. The Federal Government plans to implement various tax incentive measures for private sector and the general public.
6. On the leadership crises rocking the NURTW and the purported proscription of RTEAN, the Federal Government commits to handling Labour matters in line with relevant ILO Conventions and Nigerian Labour Acts. A resolution of the ongoing impasse is expected by or before October 13.
7. The issue of outstanding Salaries and Wages of Tertiary Education workers in Federal-owned educational institutions is being referred to Ministry of Labour and Employment for further engagement.
8. The Federal Government commits to pay N25,000 per month for three months starting from October, 2023 to 15 million households, including vulnerable pensioners.
9. The Federal Government will increase its initiatives on subsidized distribution of fertilizers to farmers across the country.
10. The Federal Government should urge State Government, through the National Economic Council and Governors Forum, to implement wage award for their workers. Similar consideration should also be given to local government and private sector workers.
11. The Federal Government commits to the provision of funds as announced by the President on the 1st of August broadcast to the Nation for Micro and Small Scale Enterprises. The MSMEs beneficiaries should commit to the principle of decent jobs.
12. A joint visitation will be made to the refineries to ascertain their rehabilitation status.
13. All parties commit to henceforth abide by the dictates of Social dialogue in all our future engagements.
14. The NLC and TUC accept to suspend for 30 days the planned Indefinite Nationwide strike scheduled to begin, Tuesday, the 3rd of October, 2023.
15. This Memorandum shall be filed with the relevant Court of competent jurisdiction within one (1) week as consent judgment by the Federal Government.
The agreement was signed by Minister of Labour and Employment, Minister of Information and National Orientation and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment for the government side.
The president and Secretary General of NLC and TUC signed on behalf of the unions.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has said there will be no warning before the next strike, stressing that suspension of the October 3 nationwide strike was a temporary move.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports National Deputy President of the TUC, Tommy Etim, made this known on Saturday.
Etim noted suspension of the strike remained conditional upon the promise by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to fulfil the conditions enlisted in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Federal Government and the organised labour.
TUC also dismissed the claim by governors that they would not implement the demands in the MoU between the Federal Government and the organised labour on the grounds that governors had rolled out palliatives for state civil servants and residents before the MoU was signed.
Speaking on reports that governors might not implement the terms of the agreement, Etim stated, “That is not possible. Anyways, the truth is that we have reached out to our people in the states to meet with them. Letters have also been sent to that effect.”
On the progress reached so far with the government, the labour leader said, “The 30-day ultimatum we gave to them is still in place. We have given them time and we are sure they are working. What we did was just a suspension.
“When you suspend a strike, you can kickstart it without further notice. We have done our part and we are waiting for them to play their part.”
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have agreed to suspend the industrial action planned for October 3 for 30 days.
At the end of a five-hour closed-door meeting, the union leaders said that all the agreements have been given a timeline for implementation.
The agreement was signed by representatives of the government and the leaders of the joint union.
The highlights of the agreement are outlined below:
Arising from the withdrawal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the Federal Government and the resultant increase in the price of the commodity, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) issued a strike notice which had elapsed and they were poised to embark on a strike billed to commence on Tuesday, the 3rd of October, 2023.
Consequently, a meeting was called by the Federal Government to avert the strike and after much discussion, the following agreements were reached:
1. The Federal Government grants a wage award of N35,000 (thirty-five thousand Naira) only to all Federal Government workers beginning from the month of September pending when a new national minimum wage is expected to have been signed into law.
2. A minimum wage committee shall be inaugurated within one month from the date of this agreement.
3. Federal Government suspends collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) on Diesel for six months beginning from October, 2023.
4. Federal Government accepts to vote N100 billion for the provision of high capacity CNG buses for mass transit in Nigeria. Provisions are also being made for initial 55,000 CNG conversion kits to kick start an auto gas conversion programme, whilst work is ongoing on state-of-the-art CNG stations nationwide. The rollout aims to commence by November with pilots across 10 campuses nationwide.
5. The Federal Government plans to implement various tax incentive measures for private sector and the general public.
6. On the leadership crises rocking the NURTW and the purported proscription of RTEAN, the Federal Government commits to handling Labour matters in line with relevant ILO Conventions and Nigerian Labour Acts. A resolution of the ongoing impasse is expected by or before October 13.
7. The issue of outstanding Salaries and Wages of Tertiary Education workers in Federal-owned educational institutions is being referred to Ministry of Labour and Employment for further engagement.
8. The Federal Government commits to pay N25,000 per month for three months starting from October, 2023 to 15 million households, including vulnerable pensioners.
9. The Federal Government will increase its initiatives on subsidized distribution of fertilizers to farmers across the country.
10. The Federal Government should urge State Government through the National Economic Council and Governors Forum to implement wage award for their workers. Similar consideration should also be given to local government and private sector workers.
11. The Federal Government commits to the provision of funds as announced by the President on the 1st of August broadcast to the Nation for Micro and Small Scale Enterprises. The MSMEs beneficiaries should commit to the principle of decent jobs.
12. A joint visitation will be made to the refineries to ascertain their rehabilitation status.
13. All parties commit to henceforth abide by the dictates of Social dialogue in all our future engagements.
14. The NLC and TUC accept to suspend for 30 days the planned Indefinite Nationwide strike scheduled to begin, Tuesday, the 3rd of October, 2023.
15. This Memorandum shall be filed with the relevant Court of competent jurisdiction within one (1) week as consent judgment by the Federal Government.
The agreement was signed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Minister of Information and National Orientation and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment for the government side.
The president and Secretary General of NLC and TUC signed on behalf of the unions.
The federal government will again meet with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) today.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the labour leaders have arrived in State House, Abuja for the second leg of the meeting with the FG over the impending strike.
The second leg of the FG meeting with labour leaders follows an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of NLC. It is a feedback meeting on the position of the labour unions.
Recall the Federal Government met with the labour unions on Independence Day with the aim of averting the industrial action planned by the unions.
A meeting earlier scheduled at the villa for Friday was cancelled when the unions failed to show up.
The unions have declared Tuesday to begin an indefinite strike over the issue of fuel subsidy removal palliatives.
Details shortly…
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Malam Mohammed Idris, says the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) will consider the offers made by the Federal Government with a view to suspend their planned strike.
This is contained in a statement signed by Idris on Sunday in Abuja.
He said this was one of the decisions reached at the Sunday meeting between the labour unions and government, adding that it will allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions reached.
According to him, the parties noted that, the Federal Government has already announced N35,000 only as provisional wage increment for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months.
“Also, the Federal Government is committed to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy.
“The Federal Government commits to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises. VAT on diesel will be waived for the next six months,” the minister said.
Idris further explained that the federal government would commence payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for a three-month period, from October to December 2023.
The minister also stated that the meeting observed that the issues in dispute could only be resolved when workers are at work and not when they are on strike.
Idris, who was part of the meeting, revealed that the labour unions argued for higher wage while the federal government team promised to present their requests to President Bola Tinubu for further consideration.
“A sub-committee will be constituted to work out the details of implementation of all items for consideration regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
“NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above,” the minister said.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Gov. AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman of Kwara, and Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, participated in the meeting virtually, which was chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila.
Also in attendance were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong; Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu.
Others were the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan; and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
Similarly, the labour delegation was led by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero; Deputy President of TUC, Dr Tommy Etim Okon; NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, and General Secretary of TUC, Nuhu Toro, among others.
The NLC and TUC had directed their members and affiliates nationwide to begin mobilisation for an indefinite strike that would commence on October 3.
The House of Representatives has urged the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, to suspend the planned strike action across the country.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the Chairman, House Commitee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akin Rotimi which was made available to journalists in Abuja yesterday.
The statement said: “We wish all Nigerians a happy 63rd Independence Anniversary, we also wish to use this opportunity to once again appeal to organised labour to rethink their decision to embark on their intended strike action in the coming days, as we all work together in the best interest of long-term growth, stability, and shared prosperity”.
In the statement lawmakers explained further: “this year’s anniversary presents us with another opportunity as a people to reflect on the hope of unity, peace, and shared prosperity bequeathed to us by the founders of our dear country”.
House of Representatives further disclosed that the theme for the 2023, 63rd Aniversary Celebration is “Renewed Hope for Unity and Prosperity” calling on the constituents across the country to celebrate the occasion actively.
The House, equally commended the Country founding fathers for their vision for Nigeria maintaining that “Patriots of yesteryears shaped the path to the freedom we hold dear as a people today while emphasizing the important of sacrifices and the foundation they laid for the country to survive.
He explained that the 63rd Independence Anniversary celebration has provided an opportunity for both leaders and the led of immense responsibility to set aside differences but to work together to achieve a country that would works for all persons.
The House of Representatives also urged Nigerians to see their diversity as their greatest strength adding that youthful population as well as the judicious utilisation of vast human and natural resource should be a force for immediate reintroduction of Nigeria to the world as the true giant of Africa whose time for full expression has come.
Consequently, the Spokesman equally used the opportunity to affirmed that the 10th House of Representatives is a true ‘People’s Parliament’ maintaining that as lawmakers they are not unaware and unmindful of the numerous challenges Nigerians are facing at this time.
“The 10th Assembly remains committed to contributing to the development of our great country, as our predecessors of previous assemblies have done, many of whom continue in service in various capacities in the executive arm of government” He explained.
Lawmakers at the Green Chambers also used the opportunity to reiterate commitment to working with all critical stakeholders to achieve a reasonable living wage for workers as well as to ensure the executive arm of government expedites palliative measures to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy on vulnerable Nigerians.
The Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), and the Trace Union Congress, (TUC) on Friday, shunned an emergency meeting with the Federal Government scheduled for 3 pm on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja
Earlier, the Federal Government led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, had called an emergency meeting with the leaders of organized Labour at the Conference Room of the Office of the President’s Chief of Staff.
The meeting was fixed in order to persuade the labour movement against implementing its planned nationwide strike from Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
On Friday, the organized labour and affiliated bodies started mobilizing members in compliance with the proposed strike.
The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals have all announced plans to join the strike.
Also, the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions’ Employees announced its intention to participate in the strike.
Similarly, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the National Union of Electricity Employees said they would join the indefinite strike announced on Thursday.
The country’s economy could be shut down if the proposed nationwide strike takes effect from next week Tuesday.
The development comes when Nigeria is battling with the crumbling Naira at the foreign exchange market, exchanging at N985/$ at the parallel market and soaring inflation of 25.80 per cent in August.