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  • COVID-19: NLC opposes use of contributory pension for palliatives

    COVID-19: NLC opposes use of contributory pension for palliatives

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Friday said it was opposed to the use of contributory pension as palliatives for workers as part of the move to cushion the effect of the lockdown over Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
    Mr Ayuba Wabba, the President of NLC, said this while fielding questions from newsmen at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 daily press briefing in Abuja.
    This is sequel to a question posed to the NLC President if the contributory pension could be used as palliatives as the lockdown entered the fourth week.
    He said that there was need to protect the money and the owners of the contributory pension, adding that such money should not be used as palliatives.
    Wabba however lauded the PTF members for the work they were doing to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the chairman of PTF, Mr Boss Mustapha, must be commended for the interface between PTF and NLC.
    He said that the NLC would continue to be reasonable by engaging the government and the PTF, while commending the frontline health workers for the sacrifice they are making to curtail the virus.
    The NLC said that looking at the number of health workers affected by COVID-19, it was imperative to interface with the taskforce.
    He said that the NLC had produced locally made face masks, stating that it will be distributed free to some Nigerians, adding that the advantage of the locally made face mask is that it can be washed, iron and resided.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the locally made face masks were presented to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Chairman PTF, Mr Boss Mustapha, for onward distribution.
    Receiving the indigenousmasks, Mustapha commended NLC for the support and urged others to emulate the gesture to complement government efforts at containing COVID-19.
  • Pay us minimum wage within 21 days or face strike, Labour tells Bauchi govt

    Pay us minimum wage within 21 days or face strike, Labour tells Bauchi govt

    The National Labour Congress has given the Bauchi State Government 21 days ultimatum to resume negotiations and subsequently implement the new N30,000 national minimum wage in the state.

    The state Chairman of the NLC, Danjuma Kirfi, told journalists at a press conference that the ultimatum was part of resolutions reached at the end of the joint state executive council meeting of the organised labour, held at the Union’s Secretariat in Bauchi on Friday.

    He said, “Members view the absence of the commitment on the part of government representatives towards the resolutions and the subsequent implementation of the new national minimum wage in the state.

    “The Organised Labour calls on the government to restore negotiations without further delay. That failure to conclude negotiations within the shortest period of time, the leadership will not guarantee the industrial atmosphere in the state.

    “That government is hereby given 21 days ultimatum within which to conclude negotiations and implementation of the new national minimum wage in the state.”

  • Rivers govt seals NLC secretariat

    Rivers govt seals NLC secretariat

    The Rivers State Government on Sunday night sealed the secretariat of the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress located on D-Line axis of Port Harcourt.

    Although a letter from the State Bureau for Special Duties indicated that the premises of the state NLC were sealed to allow for structural integrity test, the Chairperson of labour in the state, Beatrice Itubo, said that the action of the state government was as a result of the controversy surrounding the payment of the minimum wage.

    Itubo had insisted that the minimum wage paid by the state government did not reflect the new national minimum wage or the principle of collective bargaining.

    A text message from the NLC chairperson read, ”I want to inform you that the Rivers State Government has sealed the NLC secretariat for demanding that the government should reconvene the meeting of the minimum wage committee.

  • NLC urges FG to adopt proactive housing, transportation scheme for workers

    NLC urges FG to adopt proactive housing, transportation scheme for workers

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to adopt proactive measures to enhance access to healthcare services, housing and better transportation for workers to improve their welfare.

    The NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, made the call at the 2019/2020 Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) meeting on Thursday in Yenagoa.

    The meeting with a theme: “Managing the Challenges of Emerging Realities in Labour Management Negotiations in the Federal Public Service” was attended by representatives of labour unions in the country.

    Wabba, represented by Mr John Ndiomu, the NLC Chairman in Bayelsa said there was also a need to increase attention on healthcare of workers.

    He said that: “We commend the Federal Government on the new salary structure but we still want to see increased attention by government at all levels on workers’ welfare, particularly healthcare, housing and transportation.

    “I, therefore, proposed that we do not need to wait for a new national minimum wage before we make major shifts and adjustments in the salaries of public servants.

    “If we make incremental and steady progress in improving the salaries, welfare and conditions of service of public workers over time, we would reduce the difficulties in negotiating consequential adjustment with a new national minimum wage.’

    The chairman, however, urged governors who are yet to implement the new national minimum wage to do so.

    Mr Quadri Olaleye, the President, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) said that: “the truth is that we lack the political will to implement policies.

    READ ALSO:Governor’s aide urges opposition to support Tambuwal’s administration
    “Until we begin to see our country and Nigerians as our responsibility; nothing will work, our orientation must change”.

    Also speaking, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, the Acting Head of Civil Service of the federation, noted that lack of effective communication between employers and employees were the cause of unrest and industrial disputes in the public service.

    Yemi-Esan, represented by Dr Evelyn Ngige, the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare in the office of the Head of Civil Service,  advocated for the principle of collective bargaining.

    She also called for mutual respect for sustainable industrial peace and harmony in service.

  • Minimum wage : Bayelsa NLC blocks Treasury building, demands Dec. salary

    Minimum wage : Bayelsa NLC blocks Treasury building, demands Dec. salary

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Bayelsa, on Tuesday shut down the Treasury Building in Yenagoa, to demand the implementation of the N30, 000 minimum wage and payment of December salaries of some workers in the state.

    The workers alleged that the government reneged on its pledge to implement the new wage in December 2019, and January vouchers sighted by labour leaders had no indication of the new wage.

    The workers who besieged the treasury building chanted songs such as; “We no go gree, enough is enough, pay us our January salary with the new minimum wage.”

    Addressing the crowd, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Kemela Okara, assured workers that their January salary would be paid with the new minimum wage next week.

    Okara said why some workers were not paid the December salary was because of a garnish order by the court on some government accounts; but assured them however, that the order had been vacated.

    “The Government has sent me to tell you people that your salary for January will be paid next week, I can assure you.

    “The current government is committed to implementing the new minimum wage for Bayelsa workers.

    “We have less than three weeks to go, we could have said the incoming administration should take over the implementation of new minimum wage, but we still went ahead to implement it,” Okara said.

    Chairman of the NLC in Bayelsa, Mr John Ndiomu, said without the implementation of the N30, 000 minimum wage in January salaries, the workers would not leave the Treasury Building gate.

    “Political appointees have paid themselves, so why should the workers case be different? In December, some were paid while others did not get their salaries.

    “All we are asking for now is pay us the January salary with the minimum wage template. I am sure the address of the SSG, did not go down well and unacceptable to most of us here.

    “If workers are ready to stay here, then so be it, nobody should use force on Bayelsa workers, if they try it tomorrow, more will join us,” he said.

    The Joint Negotiating Council Chairman, Mr Olomo Dimie, said it was regrettable that government was paying political appointees several allowances, but workers were left out, adding that no further payments would be allowed until they were paid.

    According to Dimie, the labour has taken steps to stop cash withdrawals of all sorts from the treasury to compel the government to heed the cry of workers..

    He called on the Gov. Seriake Dickson led administration to see to the welfare of workers and pay them as he promised before his tenure elapsed on Feb. 14. (NAN)

  • Katsina govt, labour agree to commence minimum wage implementation January

    Katsina govt, labour agree to commence minimum wage implementation January

    The Katsina State Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have reached agreement on the payment of the new national minimum wage with its salary consequential adjustments to public workers in the state.

    Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa, Secretary to the state government and state NLC Chairman, Mr Hussaini Hamisu, reached the agreement according to the statement the two of them signed in Katsina.

    Both officials said that the implementation of the new minimum wage and consequential adjustments of salaries would commence  January, 2020.

    According to them, the increase represents the following percentages for Harmonised Public Service Salary (HAPSS) structure: GL 01: 60 per cent, GL 02: 60.98 per cent, GL 03: 62. Per cent and GL 04: 60.59, per cent.

    Others are: GL 05: 60.61 per cent, GL 06: 32.63 per cent, GL 07: 13.2 per cent GL 08-9: 10 per cent, GL 10-14: 8 per cent and GL 15-17: 4 per cent.

    They also agreed to form a committee involving labour to assist the state government in rejuvenating revenue drive to boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    According to them, NLC will partner with the state government to improve efficiency and productivity in the local government general administration.

    The labour pledged to inculcate the culture of hard work, honesty and productivity in the state, local governments and the local education authority workers.(NAN)

  • Kaduna NLC raises alarm over continued staff harassment, trespass on secretariat

    Kaduna NLC raises alarm over continued staff harassment, trespass on secretariat

    Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Kaduna State Council, has raised an alarm over continued trespass and harassment of its staff at the uncompleted secretariat of the union located at No. 9 Lafia Road, Kaduna.

    NLC on Monday expressed that it observed with dismay the incessant trespassing into their land and constant harassment of their staff and members by agents of contracting firm it engaged for the building of the secretariat.

    Addressing journalists, chairman of the union, Comrade Ayuba Magaji Suleiman, and secretary, Christiana J. Bawa, together with former leaders of the union lamented the actions which they said had become unbearable, warning agents the perpetrators to desist or face actions.

    “The meeting of NLC stakeholders held Monday, 30 December, 2019, which was well attended by past leaders of NLC, industrial unions, Joint Negotiation Council, including present leaders as aforementioned, was exhaustive.

    “The confusion surrounding NLC landed property at No. 9 Lafia Road, Kaduna, was exhaustively discussed and resolved that the Kaduna Council should draw the attention of the state government in particular, the law enforcement agencies and general public to the illegal activities of some individuals on its property on the above address.

    “It should be noted that sometimes in the year 2015, the NLC, Kaduna State Council, engaged a private developer – Sahel Technical Services Ltd – with a view to develop its land at the said location.

    “While these arrangements were being made to concretise the memorandum of understanding for the project, we got to know that Sahel Technical Services Ltd engaged a third party, TMDK, for the project. This was done clearly without the consent of the Principal party to this project, NLC,’ the statement said.

    According to the chairman, “While efforts were being made to sort out some of these emerging issues, we observed the incessant trespassing into the said land and constant harassment of our staff and members by the agents of Sahel and TMDK.

    “Following these unimaginable behaviours of Sahel Technical and TMDK, NLC became uncomfortable about the whole issues. Accordingly, we had cause to write Sahel Technical Services Ltd of our decision to discontinue the project and to vacate the site forthwith.

    “Despite making our position known to the concerned, our members and staffs are continually being harassed by agents of these entities.

    “As law abiding organisation, we wish to unequivocally warn these trespassers to desist from their actions, otherwise the NLC will be compelled to take necessary measures as the rightful owners of the land.

    “We also call on Kaduna State government to wade into the matter for a peaceful settlement to avoid the consequences of the matter snowballing,” he stated.

    The union equally called on the Commissioner of Police, Department of State Services, DSS, and other law enforcement agencies to join hands to secure the property from the trespassers.

  • FG, Labour strike new minimum wage deal, to be revealed Today

    FG, Labour strike new minimum wage deal, to be revealed Today

    By Jennifer Y Omiloli

    Labour leaders, who have called off a planned nationwide strike, have agreed on a new national minimum wage at the end of negotiations with a Tripartite Committee, set up by the Federal government.

    The agreed figure will be kept under wraps until 4.15 pm on Today, when it will be revealed in a report to be presented to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, spoke to newsmen at the end of the Tripartite Committee meeting on the new National Minimum wage meeting at the early hours of Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said the National Minimum Wage Negotiating committee has concluded its assignment and agreement has been reached and also documents have been signed.

    “The report will be submitted to Mr President by today and therefore, having reached this position, the Organised Labour also decided that the proposed strike is hereby suspended.

    ” Therefore, we thought this should be communicated appropriately without also divulging this information as mutual agreement has been reached,” he said.

    Ms Amma People, Chairman of the Tripartite Committee also noted that the assignment of the committee has been concluded.

    “We are going to present our report to Mr President today at 4:15pm and he will reveal the figure that we have recommended, ” she said.

    Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary of the Government of the Federation commended members of the committee for their time and commitment on the processes of recommending the new minimum wage.

    “I am confident that government will give expeditious consideration of the report when submitted tomorrow to Mr President. And very soon the processes will be put in place to truly actualise your recommendations so that the status of our working populace will be enhanced and they would receive appropriate and commensurate payments for the services they offer to our nation and to the different sectors of our economy, ” he said.

    It was reported that the organised Labour had threatened to commence nationwide strike on Nov. 6 over government rejection of a N30,000 minimum wage. Government offered N24,000, which labour also rejected.