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Tag: Workers Day

  • May Day: Senate President greets Nigerian workers

    May Day: Senate President greets Nigerian workers

    President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has felicitated with Nigerian workers as they join their counterparts the world over to mark the Workers’ Day.

    Lawan congratulated Nigerian workers for sustaining their heroic struggle for the liberation of the country from poverty and underdevelopment even in the face of the daunting challenges at various work places.

    The Senate President acknowledged the role of workers as the creator of wealth in the society and stressed that it is for this reason that they should be appreciated at all times.

    “The best way to appreciate the enormous contributions of the Nigerian workers is to always consider their welfare as of utmost importance.

    “As a legislature, we are ever ready to work in collaboration with the organised labour Unions to rid our statute books of any anti-labour laws,” Lawan said.

    The Senate President said as part of the effort of the ninth National Assembly to strengthen the economy and improve the standard of living of the people, it is determined to make the country’s financial year predictable through timely passage of the 2020 budget.

    Lawan said the National Assembly has in the same respect made critical amendments to some laws to ensure smooth implementation of the budget. He said the Legislature would continue to move relentlessly in that direction, despite the unforeseen challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The Senate President noted that this year’s celebration of Workers’ Day comes at a time the entire world is facing the health emergency brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic.

    Lawan said the resilience and never-die spirit of the Nigerian people will boost the efforts of the government to overcome the pandemic.

    The Senate President urged the Nigerian workers, as they mark their day, to adhere strictly to all the prescribed public health protocols of social distancing, wearing of face mask, use of hand sanitizer, observance of personal hygiene, and to endeavour to stay at home and stay safe.

  • Workers’ Day: Gbajabiamila salutes Nigerian workers, tasks them on productivity

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has congratulated the Nigerian workers for marking this year’s International Workers’ Day.

    Gbajabiamila said although the day is being marked quietly across the globe as a result of the lockdown necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is much to remember about the sacrifices made by Nigerian workers.

    Gbajabiamila, in a statement marking the Workers’ Day signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, commended Nigerian workers for their commitment and dedication to work over the years, which he said has shaped the country tremendously.

    The Speaker, however, called on Nigerian workers to be more productive now and always, saying no matter what was achieved before now must be sustained and improved upon.

    “I want to salute the courage of Nigerian workers, who have over the years given their best to their work. Indeed Nigeria and Nigerians are proud of you.

    “I urge the Nigerian workers to redouble their efforts at this time of our national development. They must continue to put in their best in the work that they do for the betterment of the country,” Gbajabiamila said.

  • May Day: Atiku commends health workers leading battle against COVID-19 pandemic

    May Day: Atiku commends health workers leading battle against COVID-19 pandemic

    As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark Workers’ Day, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has commended health workers leading the battle to contain the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

    Workers’ Day is celebrated on May 1 every year.

    Abubakar, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said this year’s Workers Day was coming at a time when Nigeria was in the middle of a ravaging health pandemic.

    He said he believed it was more appropriate to use the opportunity to express utmost gratitude to health workers who had been leading the battle to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

    According to him, we cannot thank such workers enough.

    “Since December last year when the novel coronavirus reared its ugly head in China, it has expanded to nearly every corner of the world. Nigeria has not been spared of this scourge.

    “From our index case in February, the plague has spread to 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with 1,728 confirmed cases and 51 deaths, according to information from Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), as at April 29.

    “The good news, however, is that thanks to our heroic healthcare workers, 307 persons were successfully treated and discharged.

    “One of those is my son, Mohammed. I remain eternally grateful to the medical personnel for their services.”

    Abubakar expressed optimism that after the pandemic, governments would see the need to increase spending on healthcare and human capital development.

    He said they should also work toward a better standard of living for the people and other topical issues being demanded by the Labour.

    Abubakar said no one ever envisaged that the global economy could afford to shut down for several weeks with heavy consequences on businesses – both public and private sector.

    “But even the greater casualties of the current lockdowns are the workers.”

    Abubakar said there were abundant reports about how companies and corporations were laying off staff and cutting wages.

    According to him, some state governments are finding it difficult to pay salary, while others are slashing workers’ salary on account of the COVID-19 situation.

    “It will be wrong of us as a society to say that the weakest of us should bear the pain of this affliction. The reverse should be the case.

    “It will not be asking for too much to urge the National Assembly to forbid any employer of Labour from penalising workers in the effect of the pandemic.

    “The grim reality of the situation that we are in today calls for greater understanding between government and Labour. It is, therefore, time that both entities see each other as partners in progress.

    “On the occasion of this year’s Workers Day, I join many across the world in solidarity with the Nigerian workers in particular who have been making great sacrifices to keep our frontiers firm.

    “I want to however take solace in the can-do Nigerian spirit. We shall not give up. We shall not give in. It will take more than Covid-19 and the consequential lockdown to knock us down.

    “It will not be easy, but standing united, we can rebuild our country because it is the place we call home,” he said.

  • COVID-19 and Virtual MAY DAY [Full text of Issa Aremu’s Workers’ Day Address]

    COVID-19 and Virtual MAY DAY [Full text of Issa Aremu’s Workers’ Day Address]

    2020 May Day Message
    By Comrade Issa Aremu, mni
    Vice President, IndustriALL Global Union

    COVID-19: and Virtual MAY DAY

    GREETINGS
    Today I join all workers of the world on the occasion of 2020 May Day. As the Vice President representing our beautiful continent, Africa, on the Executive Committee of IndustriAll Global Union founded in Copenhagen, Denmark on 19 June 2012, I bear witness that this is the first time of virtual May Day in 8 years. May Day used to hold on the streets through solidarity matches and protests.

    FIRST VIRTUAL IN 40 YEARS IN NIGERIA, 130 YEARS GLOBALLY
    In 130 years of May Day celebration, this year’s is the most precarious, in a global lock down! In 1980, PRP state governments in Kaduna and Kano under Governors Balarabe Musa and late Alhaji Abubakar Rimi respectively progressively declared May Day a public holiday. In 1981 following the agitation of NLC led by its pioneer President, Hassan Sunmonu, President Shehu Shagari declared first of May, public holiday to celebrate dignity of labour. In the past 40 years (and during my 35 years of trade unionism), this is the first May Day without open manifestations by workers world wide. No thanks to COVID: 19 pandemic!

    COVID-19 CASES
    Globally, 3,147,626 Coronavirus Cases had been reported, with 218,187 deaths. In America alone, coronavirus cases passed the 1 million mark and deaths almost doubled Africa’s at 58,220, (more than lives lost in the Vietnam War!) according to Johns Hopkins University. In Africa, there have been 34,924 Confirmed coronavirus cases, Confirmed 1,529 coronavirus deaths and 11,336 recoveries. In Nigeria, as at Wednesday, there were 1532 confirmed cases, 255 recoveries and 44 deaths.

    KANO: AN INJURY TO ALL
    Kano, an industrial city raises a specter of pandemic within a pandemic. This is NOT the time for blame game. Needed is solidarity to save lives and livelihoods. All Nigerians must rise in solidarity with Kano people and government to stop the scourge of mass deaths. We commend the interventions of the Federal government in Kano.

    THE DEAD ARE HUMANS, NOT NUMBERS
    The dead and recoveries are not just numbers but fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers , health and medical, media workers, factory and service workers, statesmen, government officials, sportsmen and women, musicians with shortened aspirations. Collapse of livelihoods stares the living through closures of factories, loss of jobs and incomes deepening poverty.

    NEW WORKING RELATIONS: NEW QUESTIONS BEGGING FOR ANSWERS
    Is virtual May Day a passing fad or a new normal? Physical distancing affects mass rallies as much as it affects any mass gatherings of workforce. The world of work can hardly be the same again. Smart work or hardworking? Home working or industrial work? Formal or informal work? We live to work or work to live? ILO centenary last year agonized about all the above questions but it takes an ubiquitous Virus to compel urgent answers today.

    SALUTATION
    I salute all comrades and affiliates in all sectors of our continent in the struggle and resistance against this ubiquitous deadly opportunistic disease negatively impacting lives, jobs and well being. Happily our global union gives the tools of the struggle against endemic exploitation in the world of work no less than a deadly COVID-19, (even though nobody imagined the scale of this Virus menace).

    LIVES FIRST
    Immediate task is defense of workers’ rights. First thing first: the right to life! Before the vaccine is obtained, it’s time for personal and industrial hygiene. Physical distancing without stigmatization! Obedience of advice by public health authorities. Then mass education of workers that COVID :19 is real not a joke but life and death as President Muhammadu Buhari had repeated in his three national broadcasts. We must support all governments directive with respect to lock down, smart prevention and gradual and strategic easing.

    Governments and employers have the singular responsibility to ensure the safety of all but importantly essential workforce under the lock downs, especially the doctors, nurses, pharmacists and medical workers, media and information as well as security workers in general through the provisions of quality Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

    TIME TO RECOGNIZE AND DIGNIFY LABOUR
    The pandemic shows that Labour not only creates wealth but saves and nurtures lives. Post COVID-19 Governments and businesses must stop underrating workers but see them as partners in development. Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, reported that not less than 40 health workers in Nigeria tested positive for COVID-19. Some have actually died in both public and private hospitals. Better late than never: Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 (PTF) had initiated the Life Insurance cover to the frontline workers on COVID-19 for a maximum of 5000 health workers who are employed to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The premium in the sum of N112,500,000 is however still token given the risks to irreplaceable lives.

    SOCIAL PROTECTION FOR ALL
    There must be social protection through comprehensive health insurance for all workers and citizens as a matter of right. And it should start now. COVID-19 pandemic no doubt raises the noise level of lives and livelihoods. But Malaria kills 100,000 annually in Nigeria. More than Corona Virus! And Malaria has cure which many poor people can hardly afford because thanks public health has collapsed. Job related deaths must be of concern to all.

    STOP WORK RELATED DEATHS
    ILO statistics indicate that one worker dies every 15 seconds worldwide, 6300 workers die everyday and an average of two million three hundred thousand workers die annually as a result of work related accidents and diseases. In fact, more people die at work than at wars.
    Secondly there is an urgent need to protect and advance livelihoods.

    HAIL ORGANIZED LABOUR
    Organized labour under the most difficult conditions had commendably risen to defend the right to pay, wages and jobs under the lock down. IndustriALL Secretariat in Geneva salutarily coordinates the efforts of affiliates in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on sectors and regions, sharing the best responses. I salute the leadership of NLC and TUC for ensuring that President Buhari’s directive that all workers should be paid as at when due during the lock down is respected by all employers in both public and private sectors. The NLC/TUC/ CIVIL SOCIETY labour situation room is novel and timely to promote the use of the existing collective bargaining and social dialogue in ensuring employers and government do not shift the burden of the pandemic on workers.

    HAIL NATIONAL WAGES COMMISSION
    It is also significant and commendable that the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), under the acting Executive Chairman, Nta Ekpeyong, had proactively initiated improved COVID-19 allowances for medical doctors and other health workers allowances, particularly for those in the frontline of the fight against COVID-19, starting from March 2020. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, led the government team with doctors and other health workers to effect payment from March 2020. However the commission must also initiate reliefs for all workers to cope with the current challenges of survivals.

    IN SOLIDARITY WITH (PENGASSAN)
    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) commendably recently resisted the attempt by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State to harass members of the union on essential duty by security operatives. It’s time for new relationships between all Stakeholders for Partnership against pandemic and new post COVID-19 economy not the old war of attrition and adversarial unhelpful relations.

    GOVERNOR WIKE OF RIVERS NEEDS NEW RELATIONSHIPS WITH LABOUR THROUGH SOCIAL DIALOGUE
    Governor Wike should also immediately lift the illegal siege on the NLC secretariat in Portharcourt and initiate social dialogue for resolution of all outstanding labour issues especially on the new minimum wage. We salute the prompt action of the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, in removing former rivers CP, Dandaura Mustapha, and replacing him with Gobum Mukan. The former CP played unacceptable anti-labour role in illegally arresting 22 members of the union from ExxonMobil on essential duty. The federal and state governments had listed categories of persons exempted from the total lockdown directives to include senior staff in the oil and gas industry which PENGASSAN represents. COVID-19 already made work precarious. No employer including state Governor should further violate the rights of workers through intimidation and harassment. More than ever before, solidarity is needed to prevent the pandemic and protect jobs. We salute the solidarity of National Union of Electricity workers (NUEE), PENGASSAN and NUPENG in freeing the two Caverton Helicopters pilots and their ten passengers that were arrested, charged to court, and remanded in Port Harcourt prison for allegedly violating the lockdown order in Rivers State. An injury to one is an injury to all.

    COMMEND PRESIDENT BUHARI ON SECURITY
    It was reassuring that President Muhammadu Buhari said the Federal government would “not tolerate any human rights abuse by our security agencies” regretting few reported incidences of violations. The point cannot be overstated that Security workers are also frontline workforce who must be motivated, trained and retrained for effective service delivery. Indeed all citizens have legitimate claim to national government interventions in protecting lives and livelihood through unconditional cash benefits and palliatives.

    DON’T WASTE THE LESSONS OF COVID-19
    Lastly Nigeria and Africa should not waste the lessons of the current lock down. It’s time to heed the advise of Godwin Emefiele, Governor of CBN and turn COVID-19 TRAGEDY into an OPPORTUNITY FOR A NEW NIGERIA. We must urgently diversify the economy, beneficiate, add value and create new Decent millions jobs. Produce what we consume starting with face masks, sanitizers and ventilators and items in the health value chains. Post Corona Virus Nigeria should be less dependent on imports, grants and aids and feverish loans but rely on domestic savings and local investment.

    Issa Aremu
    Vice President,
    IndustriALL global Union and Member National Institute, Kuru Jos

  • Workers’ Day: FG declares Wednesday public holiday

    Workers’ Day: FG declares Wednesday public holiday

    The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, May 1, as public holiday to celebrate the 2019 Workers’ Day.

    The Minister of Interior, Lt.- Gen. (Rted) Abdulrahman Dambazau, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated Nigerian workers on their commitment and sacrifice toward building a greater Nigeria.

    Dambazau made the announcement in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Mrs Georgina Ehuriah, Permanent Secretary of the ministry.

    He commended workers’ effort at ensuring the full implementation of the policies and programmes of government through efficient and effective service delivery to Nigerians and foreigners.

    Dambazau called for continuous support of Nigerian workers in government’s effort at re-positioning the economy and moving it to the Next Level.

    He also commended them for keeping faith with the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration’s resolve of building a better Nigeria.

    The Minister wishes all Nigerian workers a successful May Day Celebration.

     

  • Rivers Govt. gives N3.6 billion to SMEs, civil servants

    Rivers Govt. gives N3.6 billion to SMEs, civil servants

    The Rivers state government has approved an annual interest-free loan disbursement to the tune of N3,600,000,000.00 (three billion, six hundred thousand naira) for small businesses and civil servants in the State.

    The State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, made this known in an address during the 2018 Workers Day celebrations in Port Harcourt, where he also charged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to occupy Nigeria.

    “We have approved an interest-free revolving loan scheme for civil servants. The annual sum earmarked for this programme is N1,200,000,000.00 (one billion two hundred naira) only, with a monthly disbursement of N100,000,000.00 (one hundred million naira only).

    “We have also approved another interest-free loan for owners of small businesses to access to enhance their businesses, create jobs and grow the economy. An annual sum of N2, 400,000,000.00 (two billion four hundred million) only, has been set-aside for this purpose with a monthly disbursement of N200, 000,000.00 (two hundred million naira) only,” the Governor said.

    He said the State is investing in building a strong economy that will enable workers earn decent wages, empower entrepreneurs to create jobs and provide improved livelihood opportunities for Rivers people.

    The governor said that his administration is already working to fix some of the subsisting challenges, including the contributory pension scheme, the contributory health insurance scheme and the payment of gratuities to retired civil servants.

    At the Workers Day celebration, the Governor also announced a donation of N100 million to the NLC and the TUC and said the State Government will construct State Secretariats for the different labour unions.

    In her address, the Rivers State Chairman of the NLC, Mrs Beatrice Otubo commended Governor Wike for his regular payment of salaries and pensions.

    ALSO READ | Gov. Wike urges NLC, TUC to ‘Occupy Nigeria’

    She urged the governor to take steps to resolve the challenges surrounding the contributory pension scheme and gratuity to retired civil servants. The labour leader also commended the Governor for his outstanding developmental strides.

    Chairman of the TUC in Rivers State, Mr Austin Jonah lauded the Rivers State Governor for his numerous infrastructural and development projects across the state.

    The Workers Day was marked by parade by all the affiliate trade unions in the state, with Governor Wike taking the official salute.

     

  • Gov. Wike urges NLC, TUC to Occupy Nigeria

    Gov. Wike urges NLC, TUC to Occupy Nigeria

    Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have failed Nigerians by refusing to act in the face of unbridled killings of defenceless Nigerians across the country.

    The Rivers State Governor made the declaration in an address during the 2018 Workers Day celebrations in Port Harcourt and said it is not in national interest for labour to be only concerned about salary increment when their kith and kin are mauled to death on a daily basis.

    “Labour is only after the increment of wages and emoluments without showing concern for the mass killings going on across different states of the Federation.

    “Labour is quiet in the face of deaths. Of what benefit will increment of salaries be when all your children, friends and relatives are killed in the course of this national insecurity?

    “It is incumbent on labour to rise up in defence of Nigerians by demanding for immediate cessation of killings,” Wike said.

    He stressed that labour has a duty to work towards the progress of Nigeria as they battle for their welfare, saying labour must rekindle their pre-2015 posture when they participated in occupy Nigeria during the Jonathan era.

    The governor urged labour to defend the nation’s democracy which is under threat by the failure of the APC Federal Government to respect the rule of law and democratic tenets.

    “Be vigilant and defend our democracy in 2019. That is what labour is known for. Labour thrives under democracy. Without democracy, labour will run into challenges,” he said.

     

    ALSO READ | Wike makes N100m donation to NLC, TUC; approves N3.6bn for SMEs, civil servants

     

  • Workers’ day: Obaseki approves N1.5bn Paris refunds for payment of arrears

    Workers’ day: Obaseki approves N1.5bn Paris refunds for payment of arrears

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo has approved the use of N1.5 billion from the Paris Club refunds to offset part of N2.5 billion salary and pension arrears of local government workers in the state.

    The governor announced the decision during May Day celebration in the state which held at the University of Benin Sports Complex in Benin on Tuesday.

    Obaseki said his administration was committed to the welfare of workers.

    “I have instructed that all outstanding salaries and pension arrears owed local government workers be paid before the end of this year,’’ he said.

    The governor said his administration had successfully paid batches 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41 of the state pensioners.

    He promised to increase the monthly allocation of N100 million for the payment of pension arrears to N200 million with effect from Tuesday.

    He said plans were on to enrol all local government staff in the contributory pension scheme like their counterparts in state service who were already captured in the scheme.

    Obaseki said every worker who deserved promotion would be promoted to encourage productivity in the service.

    The governor also promised to provide a new printing press for the state-owned Nigerian Observer newspaper company within the next three months.

    He also said the government would set up Edo State Civil Service Training Institute and get it ready before the end of the year.

    In their speeches, Mr Emmanuel Ademokun, the Edo Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress and Mr Marshall Orhue of Trade Union Congress, commended the governor for the prompt payment of workers’ salaries.

    They also lauded the governor’s efforts in infrastructure development, reformation in the state Basic Education sector and economic reforms.

    Ademokun, however appealed to the state government to immediately commence recruiting staff into the state Ministries, Departments and Agencies to strengthen the workforce.

    He also called for the implementation of the new technical cadre approved by the National Council on Establishment for the state health sector.

    On his part, Orhue called on the governor to give attention to issues affecting some state establishments and improve the working conditions of permanent secretaries.

    The May Day celebration was based on the theme, Labour Movement in National Development: Dare to Struggle Dare to Win.

     

  • #WorkersDay: Nigerians urge FG to tackle insecurity

    #WorkersDay: Nigerians urge FG to tackle insecurity

    A cross section of Nigerians have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take necessary step to stop incessant killings by suspected herdsmen across the country.

    Some of the people, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja, said that if the killings continued unabated conducting elections in 2019 would be difficult.

    Mr Abel Abednego, a businessman, said that the country had never witnessed the level of killings currently taking place on a daily basis before.

    “The dimension the killing of innocent Nigerians is taking has never being witnessed before. There is need to stop it before it degenerates to something else.

    “If the killings continue the way it is I don’t think the 2019 election can hold.

    “I cannot imagine a group of persons waking up and go to a community and kill every persons and burn down their houses, I think this is beyond farmers and herders clashes,” he said.

    Abednego said that the security agencies must redouble their efforts to stop the killings across the country.

    Malam Ahmed Kawu, a petty trader, said that the security situation in the country was restricting the movement of businessmen to some parts of the country.

    He added that the killings was gradually polarising the country along ethnic and religious lines that was inimical to development of the country.

    “We are pleading with the Federal Government under President Buhari to do something urgently to stop the killings,” he said.

    Mr Onah Ocheme, a retired soldier, said that security was key to all developmental programmes in any society.

    “You know without security there can be no development. We are pleading with the Federal Government to do something about the security situation in the country.

    “Every Nigerian today is afraid of what will happen to him or her. No one is secure in this country because you don’t know what will happen next,” he said.

    Ocheme urged the government to adopt the strategy it used in fighting the Boko Haram insurgency to fight the lingering herdsmen attack on communities in the country.

    Mrs Gloria Amuche, a civil servant, said that as workers celebrate May Day, government on its part must wake up to its responsibilities.

    “The responsibility of any responsible government is to protect its citizens and their property. But when it fails to do that there will always be distrust among the people,” he said.