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Tag: TUC

  • Subsidy removal: Government officials yet to demonstrate cost reduction-TUC president

    Subsidy removal: Government officials yet to demonstrate cost reduction-TUC president

    Festus Osifo, president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), said government officials have not demonstrated cost reduction as they still go about with “endless convoys” despite the effects of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians

    Osifo made this statement on Wednesday in an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today.

    According to him, governors, legislatures are still going about business as usual with endless convoys.

    “For example, the convoys. You see governors, they are still going about, business as usual. You see the new legislatures, you see their convoys, it’s endless.”

    Osifo also decried the cost of governance while drawing attention to the dwindling capital expenditure

    “Today, we still import all manner of cars from different parts of the world but you have some cars that are being manufactured in Nigeria. Why can’t you create policies that would encourage the manufacturing sector and also reduce the cost of governance?” he queried.

    TUC president said Labour proposed N200,000 as the new minimum wage from N30,000 because it anticipated that the government would float the naira and allow market forces to determine the exchange rate of the national currency.

    He argued that the value of N30,000 five years ago when the minimum wage was last reviewed has so far reduced with mounting inflation rates, soaring food prices and transport fares, amongst others.

    “Nigerians are facing a lot of hardship all across, it is really hard and it is really terrible. You are asking the people to tighten their belts but at the end of the day, what have you brought to the table? What is the contribution of the political class to this economic logjam that we are today as a country?

    “What we are saying is that if the Federal Government was not able to fund subsidy, at whose expense? What were the things they were doing with our funds? All the money that they have borrowed, the ways and means that went over 23 trillion naira – what did they do with it?” he asked.

    The Labour leader stated that the Federal Government must offer explanations to Nigerians on what the monies borrowed have been used for as well as why the country has a huge debt profile

    “They need to also offer explanations to Nigerians, not that at the slightest provocation, they push Nigerians to the streets and they tell them that we must tighten our belt meanwhile they are loosening theirs,” he said.

     

  • Subsidy: Dele Alake reveals outcome of FG’s meeting with labour unions

    Subsidy: Dele Alake reveals outcome of FG’s meeting with labour unions

    The Nigerian government and organized Labour on Monday reconvened at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to look into ways of cushioning the effects of removal of subsidy on the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    Mr Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, said that steering and technical committees have been set up to help achieve the planned interventions for Nigerians.

    “As we promised the last time we met; when labour called off their planned strike, we held a meeting today. We went through all the demands that labour had tabled, that is government and the labour unions last time.

    “They said they were going to go back to their executives and make consultations so that we reconvene today. That is exactly what we did.

    “At today’s meeting, both parties went through the list and we ticked off the viable ones which are now broken into three categories; those can be given immediate attention, and those that can be achieved in the medium term and long term.”

    Alake added that the committees would help actualize the dream of providing the interventions to cushion the effects of removal of subsidy.

    “Work groups have been constituted at today’s meeting. There is a steering committee that will serve as a clearing house and there are other committees comprising both parties; government and labour.

    “They will work together very harmoniously and efficiently to arrive at the final resolution of all the demands of labour and what we (government) call interventions,” he said.

    The President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Joseph Ajero and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Festus Osifo both confirmed the setting up of steering and technical committees.

    They said that the committees would commence work immediately and complete the assessments within a maximum period of eight weeks.

  • ‘Workers have right to protest’ – NLC, TUC appeal court order stopping industrial action

    ‘Workers have right to protest’ – NLC, TUC appeal court order stopping industrial action

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC)in collaboration with  the Trade Union Congress (TUC)have asked the National Industrial Court, Abuja, to set aside its interim order that barred the unions from embarking on their planned strike in protest of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

    The unions have averred that the case against it could be struck out for lack of jurisdiction and the ex-parte order set aside

    According to them, the case filed against them at the NIC was offensive and against some sections of the country’s constitution.

    Both the NLC and the TUC argued that the court lacked the jurisdictional competence to hear and determine the case “as it was filed in violation of Section 17 {2} of the Trade Disputes Act, which authorizes the Minister of Labour and Employment to refer a trade dispute directly to the National Industrial Court.”

    “This court as presently constituted lacks the jurisdictional competence to hear and determine the matter and or make any orders as regards the trade Dispute {subject matter of this suit} for failure to first refer the trade dispute to the Industrial Arbitration Panel as mandated by part 1 of TDA.

    “The claimants suit offends the lucid provisions of Order 3 Rules 1 and 6 of the National Industrial Court Civil Procedure Rules, 2017.

    The union further contended for their rights to strike “under the Trade Unions Act, the Trade Disputes Act, the ILO Convention and under several international treaties the 1st Claimant/Applicant is a signatory to.”

    In addition both unions insisted that by virtue of Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, Nigerian workers have the fundamental right to protest against policies of the government considered inimical to their interests.

    They claim that the suit filed by the federal government couldn’t justify any reasonable cause or action against what their demands.

    “The Plaintiffs suit is lacking in bona fide, as it was filed to harass, irritate and embarrass the Defendants/Applicants, which constitutes an abuse of judicial process.

    “The Claimants/Applicants suppressed material facts before this Honourable Court thereby misleading the Court to grant the exparte reliefs sought and obtained.

    “In the circumstances and under established judicial authorities as well as extant Rules of this Honourable Court, the Claimants suit as presently constituted against the Defendant is liable to be dismissed or struck out for want of jurisdiction and the ex parte order set aside,” the two unions added.

     

     

  • Fuel Subsidy removal: What we want FG to do — TUC

    Fuel Subsidy removal: What we want FG to do — TUC

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has released demands it made at the meeting held with the Federal Government on Sunday over the recent  fuel subsidy removal.

    In a statement signed by the union’s President, Mr Festus Osifo, and General Secretary,  Mr Nuhu Toro on Monday, the union called for the immediate implementation of the demands.

    It highlighted 14 of the demands for immediate implementation and five for the medium term.

    The demands include maintenance of status quo ante of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) pump price while discussion continued.

    “Minimum wage should be increased from the current N30,000 to N200,000 before the end of June 2023, with consequential adjustment on cost of feeding allowance, like feeding, transport, housing, among others.

    “A representative of state governors will be party to this communique and all the governors must commit to implement the new minimum wage.

    “Tax holiday for employees both in government and private sector that earn less than N200,000 or 500USD monthly whichever is higher.

    “PMS Allowance to be introduced for those earning between N200,000 to N500,000 or 500USD to 1,200USD whichever is higher, “ it said.

    Others include the setting up of intervention fund where government would be paying N10 per litre on all locally consumed PMS.

    According to the TUC, the primary purpose of this fund is to solve perennial and protracted national issues in education, health and housing.

    “A governance structure that will include labour, civil society and government will be put in place to manage the implementation.

    “Federal Government should provide mass transit vehicles for all categories of the populace.

    “State governments should immediately set up a subsidised transportation system to reduce the pressure on workers and students: the framework around this will be worked out.

    “Immediate review of the National Health Insurance Scheme to cover more Nigerians and prevent out of stock of drugs,” the union said.

    On the medium term, the union called for the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) across the country in line with the earlier promise made by government.

    It said that the framework and timeline would be developed and agreed by both parties.

    It also called on labour and government to design a framework that would be geared toward the reduction of cost of governance by 15 per cent in 2024 and 30 per cent by 2025.

    “A framework should be immediately put in place to maintain the road and expand the rail networks across the country.

    “Government must design a framework for social housing policy for workers through Rent to Own System.

    “The state of electricity in the country must be appraised and an action plan should be defined with time lines on how to get this fixed.

    “A strong monitoring team comprising of all parties will be constituted, “ the union said.

  • JUST IN: Court stops NLC, TUC from embarking on strike

    JUST IN: Court stops NLC, TUC from embarking on strike

    Justice O.Y. Anuwe of the National Industrial Court has restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), from embarking on strike from Wednesday over the removal of fuel subsidy.

    The federal government had asked the court for an interim injunction restraining the labour unions from proceeding on the strike scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

    Delivering the ruling on Monday, Anuwe, the presiding judge, said the unions should halt the planned strike pending the hearing and determination of the ex parte motion filed by the federal government.

    Details later…

     

  • Fuel subsidy removal: TUC presents list of demands to FG

    Fuel subsidy removal: TUC presents list of demands to FG

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has presented its list of demands to the federal government to cushion the effect of petrol subsidy removal on citizens.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the TUC demanded for increase in the minimum wage, tax holiday for certain categories of people as well as reverting to status quo for negotiations continue.

    Recall that a federal government delegation held a meeting with representatives of organised labour, excluding the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), at the presidential villa, Abuja, on Sunday night.

    Dele Alake, spokesperson for the government’s delegation to the meeting, told state house correspondents after the meeting that most of the demands “are not impracticable”.

    “We said we were going to reconvene to keep the engagement on to defuse the tension in the land as a result of the withdrawal of subsidy, which is a reality.

    ”Now we are very happy to announce to Nigerians that this engagement has been very productive and the TUC that attended today’s meeting presented a list of demands, which we have studied and we are going to present to the President for his consideration.

    “But we can announce to Nigerians that a lot of the items on the TUC list are not impracticable,” Alake said.

    While the government acknowledged the feasibility of the demands, they said the demands would be presented to President Bola Tinubu with immediate effect.

    Alake said the president’s decisions will be relayed to labour leaders at the next round of negotiations fixed for Tuesday.

    Asked if the other demand by the organised labour that the new pump price of petrol be reversed pending conclusion of negotiations, Alake said the decision would likely be taken on Tuesday when both sides meet again.

    On NLC’s absence, he said it may be attributed to the inability to finalise with the NEC of the union before the meeting.

    Nonetheless, negotiations will continue with all labour unions and stakeholders, he said.

    Speaking to journalists, Festus Osifo, TUC president, said while some progress has been made with the negotiations, the union would still brief its members ahead of Tuesday’s meeting.

    “We were here on Wednesday last week and after that meeting, the government gave us its position; telling us why they did what they did. So, on our part we did not agree with them so they presented some things they considered as palliatives but we told them we were going back to discuss with our respective organs.

    “So, we summoned the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria on Friday and at that meeting, the NEC mandated us with a list of demands to present to the government, which we did today.

    “Part of those demands is to increase the minimum wage and they have also told us that they need to present these demands to the President so that we will reconvene on Tuesday. Topmost of our demands is that for utmost good fate and in the interest of social dialogue, they should revert the pump price while discussions continue,” Osifo said.

  • Fuel Subsidy Removal: TUC, FG meet again in Abuja

    Fuel Subsidy Removal: TUC, FG meet again in Abuja

    Following growing concerns about fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government last week, another round of meeting held between government officials and executives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

    The meeting held by today Sunday by 4pm at the Chief of Staff Conference Hall inside the Presidential Villa.

    Details of the meeting are still sketchy as at the time of filing this report, but report has it that the TUC tabled a number of demands its members want the government to accede to immediately.

    Already, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has started mobilising for industrial action slated for next Wednesday. The Union has rejected the new price fixed for Premium Motor Spirit.

    Also, TUC is asking the Federal Government to revert to the old template until negotiations with labour unions are finalised.

    While addressing reporters at the end of an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Friday in Abuja, TUC’s president, Festus Osifo, noted the body is not happy with the unilateral decision of the Federal Government to remove petroleum subsidy.

    He said TUC’s expectation was that the government should have engaged organised labour first.

    According to Osifo: “Having noted this, we wish to state that the NEC-in-session resolved that discussions with the Federal Government should continue while demanding that the government revert to the status quo ante.

    “The status quo ante should be maintained while discussion continues, as we had a meeting with the government on Wednesday. During that discussion, they gave us a list of all the things they would do, and they also demanded to know our thinking and what we were putting up.

    “We told them the things we want to put forward, we will not submit them now but put them forward to our organs to discuss and seek a mandate from them on the things we can put forward.”

    Meanwhile, the TUC President strongly stated that the body’s next line of action is dependent on how the government reacts to its demands.

    “We will wait till Sunday, when we will meet with the representatives of the government. Once we are done with that meeting, then the TUC is going to put its demands forward, it is how they react to those demands that will determine our next line of action,” he had stated.

    Meanwhile, the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has insisted that the Federal Government is indebted to it to the tune of N2.8 trillion and hence is incapacitated to continue to subsidise fuel products for the country.

    Since the announcement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the era of fuel subsidy is gone, Nigerians have been lamenting over the fuel-induced sufferings they are going through.

  • Ex-TUC president backs President Tinubu on review of currency swap

    Ex-TUC president backs President Tinubu on review of currency swap

    A former President, Trade Union Congress (TUC),  Mr Peter Esele, on Wednesday supported President Bola Tinubu’s plan to review the policy on the Naira currency swap.

    Tinubu in his inaugural speech, after he was sworn in as the 16 president of Nigeria, said that whatever merits the currency swap had in concept, it was too harshly applied by the CBN.

    Esele told NAN: “I think for the currency swap, that is something that should be looked at. I am 100 per cent in support of looking at reviewing it.

    “The concept is not bad in itself, but the implementation was done terribly.

    “Nigerians lost their lives, Nigerians lost their dignity, Nigerians were made to look like fools and Nigerians were mentally dealt with.

    “It’s unprecedented what we went through, all in the name of naira redesign. There’s nothing wrong in coming up and withdrawing currency. But you can’t do that in two months. You can’t do that in three months.

    “In the UK, for example, they are withdrawing the British pounds that had the mask of the Queen of England, and replacing it with the one with the mask of the King since the Queen died that is when they started the process, even up to the inauguration of the king.

    “Now they are doing it gradually and then the whole thing go out seamlessly.

    “I read the Poultry Association of Nigeria saying that the naira redesign cost them more than 40 billion naira. That is only a single sector. So across the board businesses suffered.”

    He noted that the implementation of the policy was very terribly done by the CBN, adding that the apex bank was a huge disappointment.

    Esele therefore said that the decision of the president on the issue should not be seen as policy summersault, but rather as policy review.

    He said this was because the president during his electioneering campaigns had consistently said that he was not against the concept, but the implementation.

    “And if you read it in his inaugural address, he didn’t say he would do away with it, he simply said he will retool it. That is the way I interpret what he said. That is, they will carry out a review.

    On the subsidy removal, Esele urged Nigerians to give the president the benefit of doubt.

    “Already queues are building up, and hoarding is taking place. People are hoarding, but let’s see if probably he has all the plans, all the whole thing worked out.

    “And let’s give him benefit of doubt and see how he is going to go about and implement it. Probably he will do something big, probably he is coming to do something different.

    “So I would rather, we adopt a wait and see attitude instead of criticising.

    “He has said subsidy is going, and actually there is no budget for subsidy. That’s what he said. But we’ll give him benefit of the doubt.”

    Tinubu had said the application of the currency swap by the apex bank was too harsh considering the number of unbanked Nigerians.

    Tinubu said he would work towards unifying the exchange rate in order to direct funds into meaningful investments.

    He said a unified exchange rate would be in creating equipment and jobs that would power the economy.

    He added that interest rates would be reduced to increase investment in such a way that would sustain the economy at a higher level.

  • NLC, TUC express concern over non payment of Zamfara civil servants

    NLC, TUC express concern over non payment of Zamfara civil servants

    The Zamfara chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have expressed dismay with the state government over non payment of the salary of civil servants for two consecutive months.

    This is contained in a statement jointly signed in Gusau on Wednesday by the state NLC and TUC chairmen, Sani Halliru and Saidu Mudi.

    Newsmen reports that Gov. Bello Matawalle recently at the 2023 May Day celebration, assured that his administration would pay all outstanding salaries to civil servants in the state before handing to the governor-elect on May, 29.

    “Series of issues prevailed and meetings were vigorously held in respect of the above subject matter involving all the stakeholders on the best way to handle the matter with maturity and understanding between the state government and two labour unions.”

    “The two labour centres condemned perceived nonchallant attitude of the state government to pay salary of its workers for two months of March and April.

    “Having patiently waited for the salary to be paid, the two labour centres, therefore, as a matter of responsibility, requests the state government to save lives of workers and their families with immediate effect.

    “The leaders of the two workers unions have expressed serious concern on the condition of the state civil servants.

    “We crave for your indulgence, support and cooperation as we move to fight for your rights; therefore we urge you to be more patient and persevere.

    “We will not relent until your salary is paid Insha Allah”, the labour leaders said.

  • FAAN warns labour unions to stay away from airports

    FAAN warns labour unions to stay away from airports

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to stay away and not disrupt flight operations at airports over their grievances in Owerri.

    Capt. Hamisu Yadudu, Managing Director, FAAN, said this in Lagos on Sunday while speaking with newsmen.

    The unions, on Wednesday, disrupted flight operations to Owerri over alleged disruptions of their May Day rally by miscreants.

    Yadudu said the unions’ disruption of flight operations was condemnable.

    “They wrote to us that our workers would come and picket the Lagos Airport and they should not allow flights to fly Owerri Airport because their members were harassed by Imo State Government.

    “However, for any organisation that is licensed by the government to behave in personal interest and not national interest, is very unfortunate.

    “It has nothing to do with labour or workers in Nigeria; in fact, they undermined aviation and other workers because people lost their flights. I pray no one dies.

    “The more you distress aviation, the more you are creating vulnerability for uncertainty.

    “What happened that day is very regrettable and just a sign of ego massage and I think that has no place in aviation,” he said.

    Yadudu said the unions’ action was illegal and  a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Act which puts aviation as an essential service.

    He said the unions undermined the nation by carrying out the action, noting that FAAN would not tolerate such anymore.

    The Managing Director said that he had written to the Ministry of Aviation, notifying them of the need to protect the aviation sector from the action of the NLC and TUC.

    Yadudu said the industry needed the confidence of stakeholders, to boost operations.