FMC Owo Labourers protest non-payment of salaries

Scores of casual workers at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State, on Monday staged a protest against the inability of the management of the centre to pay their salaries for the past one year.

The protesters, consisting of the security men and internal and external cleaners, insisted that there would be no work at the hospital until the authorities responded to their demands.

During the protest, all essential and administrative services at the hospital were grounded, as the group locked the main gate of the centre.

One of the protesters, Mr. Ashiru Mustapha, said, “We are suffering; we have families to cater to, yet the management did not do anything about our matter. For many months now we have not collected salaries. How do they want us to survive?”

It was learnt that the traditional ruler of the town, Oba Olateru-Olagbegi, later sent some chiefs to the centre.

The chiefs were said to have prevailed on the angry workers to open the gate of the centre.

The Acting Medical Director of the Centre, Dr Iliasu Ahmed, said the matter was before the Federal Government, adding that efforts were on to resolve it once and for all.

Workers need “living wage” not minimum wage – Labour

Labour leaders on Sunday expressed optimism that the Federal Government would give workers a living wage not minimum wage.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday approved the appointment of a 30-member tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee for the negotiation of a new National Minimum Wage.

The labour leaders, who are members of the committee, spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos ahead of the committee inauguration scheduled for Monday in Abuja.

The committee is made up of persons from the public sector (federal and state governments) and the private sector (members of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA)

Mr Ayuba Wabba, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) told NAN that“our expectation is that the demand of labour will be met.

“We will discuss with open mind to ensure that we achieve our aims and objectives,’’ Wabba said.

He said that the meeting with the tripartite committee would be a social dialogue and collective bargaining discussion.

He said that labour would discuss issues relating to rate of Naira because the present exchange rate had increased from the time N56,000 was being proposed by labour.

Mr Peter Ozo-Eson, NLC General Secretary, also said that the committee would discuss many issues affecting the minimum wage and the way forward.

According to Ozo-Eson, it is over two years since the organised labour proposed N56,000 as minimum wage to the government; and so will consider a number of socio-economic indices to take its action.

He said that the organised labour was looking forward to the inauguration because the committee was made up of a tripartite group that would discuss issues affecting the Nigerian workers.

“We look forward to the inauguration which I believe will discuss the facts and economic realities when it starts negotiation.’’

ILO proposes policies to end child labour

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) says improving legal protection and social dialogue between governments, social partners and other stakeholders are critical aspects in battling child labour.

A report by the ILO on Monday said there should also be improvement in labour market governance, social protections and access to quality education to tackle child labour.

According to the report, “Ending Child Labour by 2025,’’ efforts should be stepped-up to “consign child labour to the dustbin of history”.

The report said that in September 2017, 152 million children between 5 and 17 years were almost one in 10 in child labour globally.

It said that legislation alone would not be able to eradicate child labour but that at the same time, it won’t be possible to eradicate child labour without effective legislation.

”More than 99.9 per cent of the world’s children between 5 and 17 years are covered by the ILO’s Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) , which 181 countries have ratified,” the report said.

The report said that ensuring that the standards were legalised as well as ensuring effective monitoring and enforcement of existing child labour laws were major challenges.

It said that there was need for stronger labour inspection system as it rarely reached workplaces in the informal economy, where most child labour was found.

”Work for adults and youth of legal working age that delivers a fair income and security means that households do not have to resort to child labour to meet basic needs or to deal with economic uncertainty.

”Well-designed labour market policies focused on where most child labour persists – in the rural economy and the informal economy – can help curb the demand for child labour.”

The report called for the establishment of regulatory frameworks to address child labour in supply chains.

The report said that the most effective way to stem the flow of school-aged children into child labour was to improve access to quality schooling.

Sacked Aero workers yet to get severance packages after 8 months – NUATE

The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) on Sunday said the more than 600 employees sacked by Aero Contractors Ltd. in March were yet to get their severance packages.

Mr Olayinka Abioye, the General Secretary, NUATE confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reports that the airline, which is presently being managed by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), had sacked more than 600 of its workers representing 60 per cent of its workforce.

The Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Capt. Ado Sanusi, had assured the affected workers that they would be paid their pensions and gratuities.

Abioye, however, noted that the unions in the sector had met with the airline’s management to see how the workers could be paid all their entitlements.

“The truth of the matter is that none of them have been paid the negotiated redundancy benefits but they have received their gratuities which were ware-housed by Stanbic IBTC.

“We just had a meeting with the CEO, and arrangements are in top gear to ensure that no matter how little it is, that whatever the management has been able to raise, will be disbursed to the beneficiaries.

“Let us begin this process of payment to rekindle hope in others that management is desirous of paying them their entitlements and this will be done as quickly as possible,’’ he said.

Abioye also confirmed that the management of the airline had reabsorbed some of its technical staff, following the approval given to it recently by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to carry out C-Check on series of Boeing 737 aircraft.

Labour holds rally for industrialization of Africa today

The Industrial Global Union Africa in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, manufacturers, will today will march for beneficiation and industrialization of African economies.
The Vice President of the Union, Comrade Issa Aremu disclosed this in a press statement made available to the media in kaduna yesterday.

According to him, the organized labour from different part of the country will gathered at Eagle Square where they will proceed to Yar’ Adua Centre.
The statement added that the rally is to mark the 2017 Africa industrialization Day (AID)
According to Aremu, Africa industrialization Day (AID) is a significant day declared by United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)an annual platform for Governments, businesses and organized labour linked to industrial development to examine ways and means to stimulate Africa industrialization process.
His word; “Industrialization and industrial policies as well as national development are too important to be left to governments and businesses alone.

“Indeed promoting sustainable industrial policy is one of the critical success goals of our global union.
“In Africa, promoting sustainable industrial policy assumes a special importance. Industry is a key driver of sustainable jobs and development for national economies and the foundation of good living standards.
“It does not matter whether it is first industrial revolution, (Industry 1.0), Second Industrial Revolution (2.0) Third Industrial Revolution (Industry 3.0) or the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0)
“We as Africans must make what we wear (gold, rings and necklaces, clothes and textile), what we ride, (automobiles), what fuel our cars (petroleum products) what we build with (iron and steel), soaps we bath with (chemicals and allied products) and generate energy we consume.
“We must stop exporting raw cottons, crude oil, mineral resources, gold and diamond only to be importing finished goods from China, Europe and America. It does not matter whether it is small or medium scale enterprises, Africa must consume products it produce not imported or smuggled as it is the case in Nigeria.

“UNIDO over the years had shown that manufacturing industry in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) lags behind other developing regions in almost all measures of economic development, namely income per head, industrialization and agricultural productivity.
“The distribution of manufacturing activity in SSA, measured by the dollar value of manufacturing value added (MVA), is highly skewed.

“In 2015 Africa has as many as 1.2 billion population. Millions of
youths join the labour market annually. Only industry can provide sustainable jobs and living wages and necessary revenues for government to provide the needed infrastructure for development.
“For Africa to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 2030, especially SDG 9 dealing with industry and innovation our continent must innovate and industrialize.
“Africa should stop being romantic and clapping for China through uncritical importation of goods and services.

“Rather Africa must copy China’s industrialization drive which has within 20 years moved over 250 million people out of poverty through manufacturing and industrialization.
“Africa must make what it consumes, otherwise it will be consumed by the rest of the world.
“Many African countries have robust documents and policies on industrialization and diversification, yet few existing industries are closing with mass job losses.

“It’s time South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana! Zimbabwe, Sudan walked/worked the policies and add value to the continent abundant raw materials.
“Today we acknowledge and commend the Federal Government of Nigeria for launching the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. Together with the existing National Industrial Revolution Plan, it can promote revival of industries and creation of mass decent jobs.”

Labour leader wants more training for lecturers in medical schools

Dr. Yahaya Madaki, a labour leader, has urged the Niger State Government to support lecturers in the School of Health Technology, Minna to acquire higher certificates so as to enhance service delivery.

‎Madaki, Chairman of the school’s chapter of the Medical and Health Workers Union, made the call in an interview with newsmen, on Saturday in Minna.

“Most of the lecturers in the school want to acquire Masters and doctorate degrees and need scholarship to do that, but the Niger Government does not appear interested in that,” he said.

Madaki said that he was forced to sponsor his studies for a PhD in the University of Malaysia when the government refused his request for support.

“Many of my colleagues that can afford it have gone back to school to acquire higher certificates, but others cannot afford it and have remained helpless,” he said.

‎Madaki declared that teaching in a health school without training and retraining was dangerous for the health sector.

“Patients need experts that will understand complexities of their ailments and deal ‎with them accordingly. If we cannot train good medics from here, the society will be the worse for it,” he said.

He said that government’s acclaimed commitment to improving the health sector would be a mirage if teachers in medical schools were not supported to learn modern trends in the sector

“As an academic institution, we need grants from government to attend academic workshops, seminars and conferences; the Niger government does not appear interest in that,” he alleged. ‎

He urged government to pay more attention to training to shore up the quality of teaching in the schools.

Madaki also urged government to provide infrastructure at the permanent site of the school, saying that the temporary site had proved too small for any meaningful development.

“You can see that I am sitting in the library; this is my office. I am not supposed to be here but there is no office for me. Many of my colleagues are four or five in one office which is just embarrassing,” he said.

Labour opposes federal govt plans to hire Malaysian consultants for $1m

The Industrial Global Union Africa has opposed the decision of the Federal Government to hire Malaysian consultants for $1 million to conduct a study that will aid the implementation of the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan 2017-2020.

The union described the move as unpatriotic, noting that the government should rather hire Nigerian consultants to do the job instead of enriching foreigners.

The Vice President of the organization, Issa Aremu said at a news conference in Abuja on Sunday that there are Nigerians and other Africans who could do the job.

He stated that paying such a huge amount to foreigners for a job Nigerians could do did not show that the government was serious about promoting Nigerian goods and services.

“Are we saying we cannot get Africans to provide these services? How can we pay huge amounts of the budget to Malaysians in implementing a document that talks of patronizing ‘made in Nigeria’ products,” the union leader asked.

Speaking on the Africa industrial day commemoration, Aremu noted that African countries must promote sustainable industrial policy, adding that industry is a key driver of sustainable jobs and development for national economies and the foundation of good living standards.

He stated that Africans must produce what they consume, and stop exporting raw materials while importing finished products from Asia, Europe and America.

He said, “Africa should stop being romantic and clapping for China through uncritical importation of goods and services; Rather, Africa must copy China’s industrialization drive which has within 20 years moved over 250 million people out of poverty through manufacturing and industrialization.”

Aremu cautioned employers against criminalizing skill gaps, noting that deficient workers should be retrained and re-skilled.

NLC gives Zamfara 21-day ultimatum

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Zamfara state chapter, has given the government 21-day ultimatum to meet workers demands or face “total strike action.”

The state chairman of the NLC, Malam Bashir Mafara, made the announcement on Monday in Gusau while addressing newsmen at the end of an emergency meeting.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was jointly organised by the state chapters of the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Mafara alleged that the government had in the last six years (since the inception of the Gov. Yari-led administration), consistently failed to address workers issues.

He also alleged that the government had relegated workers to “second class citizens” and failed to meet agreements it reached with labour leaders to address workers needs.

He said that the government had also failed to implement the N18,000 minimum wage, adding that some teachers and local government staff still receive N7,000 per month

The chairman pointed out that despite legislation which stipulates that pension be reviewed every five years, some retirees in the state receive N4,000 as their monthly pension.

He alleged that the government had not involved labour in the disbursement of the bailout funds it received from the federal government.

He also alleged that the funds had been diverted by the government.

Marafa said that though vacancies were created in the civil service as a result of deaths, retirements and transfers among others, the government failed to carry out recruitment during the period.

He alleged that the government had not paid salary to the 1,400 graduates that were employed in 2014.

He warned that the two unions would commence “total strike action’’ if the government failed to respond their demands at the expiration of the ultimatum.

NLC confirms submission of nominees for minimum wage committee

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it has submitted the names of its nominees for the 29 man-committee for the negotiation of the new National Minimum Wage.

NLC President Ayuba Wabba disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

It would be recalled that the Federal Executive Council had on May 25 approved the constitution of the National Minimum Wage Committee to kick-start the process of negotiations for new wage for workers.

“Well the point we are now is that last week we received a letter that organised labour should actually forward the names of their nominees and you know we have eight and that we have done and dispatched.

“And what we expect now is the formal inauguration of the committee and the unveiling of the Chairperson and then the process should start in earnest with a timeline.

“That is what we expect but I think we have fulfilled all righteousness by making sure that we are able to submit our team.‘

Wabba said that organised labour was aware of the situation of the workers and pensioners in the country, adding that labour would ensure that workers earn a living wage and pensions.

Wabba, however, called on all strata of government, including the private sector to be proactive in order for organised labour and workers not to be pushed to the wall.

“That is the position we are, but I think the fact of the matter is well known due to the issue of inflation and the high cost of living.

“This is obvious and it is also about respecting our laws and tradition. If it is said that within a circle of five years, the law must be reviewed, certainly we must find a way of doing it right.

“I think the bottom line is, none of the parties have said that those facts we have laid are not logical and nobody has said that the minimum wage will not be reviewed,’’ Wabba said.

SSANU holds NEC metting. Calls for Investment of Recovered Loot

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, has rounded off its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, it called on the  Federal Government to make public all recovered mon

ey from politicians and public office holders and inject same into the economy to help it out of recession.

also condemned hate speeches, threat for secession and drumbeat of war in some sections of the country and called on workers to unite against poverty, deprivation and exploitation by the elite or ruling class.

It also frowned at the precarious and pitiable state of the Nigerian worker in the face of present economic realities and called for urgent fixing of the economy

The communiqué read in part: “NEC noted that the costs of food and basic essentials for existence are beyond the reach of the average Nigerian worker, while building materials have become so exorbitant that the common man cannot afford a decent home. Government should plough back recovered loots into the economy

“NEC advises Government to, for purposes of transparency and accountability, announce the various billions of Naira recovered from alleged looters and immediately plough back these huge amounts into the Nigerian economy, as keeping these monies in reserve or as savings while Nigerians starve, makes no meaning.

“SSANU further advises Government to promote policies that will attract investors and prevent oligopolies in the food and building industries to save the masses these bleak situations. SSANU further advises Government to urgently negotiate with the Nigeria Labour Congress for review of the National Minimum Wage and ensure Nigerians are given living wages.

We are working on a law to protect casualisation- NLC

   

The NLC  president has said that the Union is working on a law that would protect Nigeria workers from casualisation. The proposed legislation would ensure that workers rights were not abused and that they enjoyed good welfare packages at work.
He compared casual employment to modern day slavery.

“Most employers are encouraging and advancing casualisation because they do not want to pay workers their terminal benefits.

“The employers do not want to pay gratuity and are against decent jobs. They want to make more profit and to reduce their commitments to their workers,’’ He said.

The NLC president also noted that casualisation was against the Nigeria labour laws, the ILO convention and human dignity and that Organised labour would use its national appeal to ensure that laws to protect workers were appropriately enacted.

“The Congress has directed unions to send the names of companies involved in casual employment so that we can unite to criminalise casualisation,’’ the labour leader said.

On the maritime sector, Wabba called on the Federal Government to look into the Ports and Harbour Bill, to stem the increasing insecurity at the ports.

“Now that we have seen an influx of arms and ammunition coming into the country, we are putting the lives of many Nigerians on the line.

He called on the government to fix port access roads because the ports had become the economic nerve-centres of the economy.

Earlier, Mr Goke Olatunji, president, National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Leather and Metallic Products Employees (NUCFRLANMPE), said that contract jobs had reduced union memberships nationwide.

Olatunji said that casualisation had also negatively affected the labour movement across the country and urged the NLC to sensitise the National Assembly on the issue.