It insisted on N250,000, being its latest demand at the last meeting of the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage on Friday, as the living wage for an average Nigerian worker.

This was made known on Monday by Chris Onyeka, Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, while fielding questions on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief show.

Onyeka said the one-week grace period given to the Federal Government last Tuesday, June 4, 2024, would expire by the midnight of Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

According to him, should the Federal Government and National Assembly fail to act on the demands of workers by tomorrow (Tuesday), the organs of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, would meet to decide on the resumption of the nationwide industrial action relaxed last week.

“Our position is very clear. We have never considered accepting N62,000 or any other wage that we know is below what we know is able to take Nigerian workers home. We will not negotiate a starvation wage.

We have never contemplated N100,000 let alone N62,000. We are still at N250,000, that is where we are, and that is what we considered enough concession to the government and the other social partners in this particular situation. We are not just driven by frivolities but the realities of the market place; realities of things we buy every day, bag of rice, yam, garri, and all of that.

“The Federal Government and the National Assembly have the call now. It is not our call. Our demand is there for them (the government) to look at and send an Executive Bill to the National Assembly, and for the National Assembly to look at what we have demanded, the various fact of the law, and then come up with a National Minimum Act that meets our demands.”

He continued: “If that does not meet our demand, we have given the Federal Government a one-week notice to look at the issues and that one week expires tomorrow (Tuesday). If after tomorrow, we have not seen any tangible response from the government, the organs of the Organised Labour will meet to decide on what next.

“It was clear what we said. We said we are relaxing a nationwide indefinite strike. It’s like putting a pause on it.

“So, if you put a pause on something and the organs that govern us as trade unions decide that we should remove that pause, it means that we go back to what was in existence before.”

The post Labour may resume strike Tuesday after rejecting N62,000, insists on N250,000 appeared first on Sunrise News.

Speaking on behalf of Labour, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, accused the governors of lying with their resources, contending that “nothing can be further from the truth as FAAC allocations have since grown from N700 billion to N1.2 trillion making the governments extremely rich at the expense of the people.”

The post Minimum wage: Don’t plunge nation into monumental crisis, Labour tells govs appeared first on Sunrise News.

This comes after the organized labour dropped its demand from N494,000 to N250,000.

There was no consensus at the meeting and the Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage has adjourned.

The organized private sector also agrees with the government over the N62,000 offer.

Details Later…

The post New minimum wage: FG offers N62,000, labour drops demand to N250,000 appeared first on Sunrise News.

The NLC, while rejecting the SGF’s insinuations, said the former Benue State Governor’s utterances clearly exposed his personality.

In a statement by its Head, Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, the NLC said, “Those who loot our treasury around the country, those who divert public resources meant for hospitals and schools; those who are involved in foreign exchange round-tripping; padding of budgets and inflating contracts including those who steal trillions of Naira in the name of subsidy are the real economic saboteurs who commit treasonable felony.”

The statement added, “The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expresses its profound disappointment and strong condemnation of the recent comments made by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) regarding the nationwide strike embarked upon by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

“The SGF’s characterization of our legitimate and constitutionally protected industrial action as a “treasonable felony” and “economic sabotage” is not only deeply troubling but also undermines the spirit of constructive dialogue necessary for resolving the ongoing issues.

“The demands of the NLC and TUC are clear and just. We seek the conclusion and signing into law of a new national minimum wage that is in sync with the realities of the cost of living, a reversal of the hike in electricity tariff to ₦65/kWh, and an end to the discriminatory classification of electricity consumers into bands.”

The demands, according to NLC, are grounded in the need for economic justice and fairness for all Nigerian workers and citizens.

It said that the SGF clearly knows those whose actions are treasonable and sabotages the economy.

The post Strike: Your utterances expose your personality – Labour slams SGF, Akume appeared first on Sunrise News.

The call was made by the organized labour on Monday in Abeokuta, during a protest against the increase in electricity tariff and removal of power sector subsidies by the Federal Government.

Sunrise reports that during the demonstration, members of the NLC and TUC sealed off the office of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, in the Leme area of Abeokuta.

Addressing journalists, Akeem Lasisi, the TUC chairman for Ogun State, chastised the Nigerian energy Regulation Commission, NERC, for raising energy rates without first contacting organised labour or other relevant stakeholders.

“We woke up to hear the announcement of the NERC that they have increased the electricity tariff to N225 per kilowatt per hour without consulting major stakeholders in the power sector.

“We reject this totally, workers are mostly hit because amidst this increase our salaries remain stagnant. Amidst the increase in school fees, amidst the increase in exchange rate, amidst the increase in prices of commodities and services in the country, our own salaries remain stagnant.

“DISCOs that could not install prepaid meters to all electricity consumers should not have the guts to increase electricity tariff. That is why we are saying that the privatisation policy should be automatically reversed.

“NERC should concentrate more on regulating the DISCOs rather than increasing the electricity tariff. We are saying that Nigerians should not be shortchanged. This policy should be stopped, Nigerians should be allowed to breathe, enough is enough, we reject this totally,” Lasisi said.

Also speaking, the state’s NLC chairman, Hameed Benco, urged President Bola Tinubu to persuade NERC to reverse the increment in electricity tariff.

The post Reverse privatisation of power sector – NLC, TUC tell Nigerian Govt appeared first on Sunrise News.

In a statement signed by Comrade S.O.Z. Ejiofor the Chairman Board of Trustees Labour Party of Nigeria, the swift constitutional move was declared as a clear step to avoid any leadership vacuum within the party.

The statement read in parts: “The Board of Trustees of the Labour Party in consultation with major stakeholders in the Party will soon communicate the processes for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention of the Labour Party.

“This is in line with the March 20, 2018 Federal High Court consent judgment delivered by Justice Gabriel Kolawole which recognised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as the owners of the Labour Party and mandated that an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention of the Labour Party be held.

“The decision of the Board of Trustees is also in furtherance of the agreement signed between the former National Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr. Julius Abure, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on 27th June 2022 which was mediated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). “

The BoT however, restated its resolve to conduct a genuine convention that will conform with the lay down standard of the party within a short while and to the admiration of all stakeholders and members.

“While we commend members of the Labour Party especially workers, students, youths, market women and men, Obidients, and candidates on the platform of the Labour Party for their contributions and fidelity to the ideals of the party, the Board of Trustees promises to quickly set in motion processes for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention.

“Unlike the charade that took place today in Nnewi and in tandem with the principles of popular democracy, the all-inclusive national convention will start with grassroots congresses at ward, local government, state and ultimately at the national level.

“This process will not leave any genuine member of Labour Party out and will be held in the full view of the Independent National Electoral Commission, media, civil society, security agents and the general public.”

“We commend the leader of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi and key stakeholders in the Labour Party for declining to deodorize the malfeasance that took place in Nnewi with their presence.

“The BOT assures all stakeholders that we are committed to reclaiming and repositioning the Labour Party as the vehicle for the socio-political emancipation of our dear country, her working people and populace.” Comrade Ejiofor affirms.

The post LP BoT succeeds Abure led NWC, pledges quick conduct of party’s convention appeared first on Sunrise News.

In a statement signed on Tuesday by the Convener of the coalition Comrade Balogun Hameed, the Secretary Comrade Alex Omotehinse in alignment with ten other CSOs, the coalition clearly condemned the bodily assault of the NLC President, who was in Owerri state capital of Imo State on the ill-fated day to demand for the rights of workers’ owed arrears of salaries and pensioners’ emoluments, but contends the rationale behind the declaration of a nationwide strike action on that basis, describing it as an aberration in relation to globally recognized industrial dispute resolution principles.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we aligned with all men of good conscience in condemning the heinous attack and bestial dehumanization of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero by obvious mercenary, fascist thugs in Imo State while on an assignment to demand for the rights of workers’ owed arrears of salaries and pensioners’ emoluments.

“However, the declaration of a National Industrial strike action by the two national Labour Centres, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC is in clear violations of globally recognized, industrial disputes resolution principles, extant laws, and would injure more our frail, ailing national economy.

 “Thus, we unequivocally call on the leadership of the organized labour to put on their patriotic thinking caps and reconsider this clarion for strike action on a matter that can be satisfactorily resolved by parties in just, fair and equitable, social dialogue processes without adverse consequences on the economy.”

The group of CSOs jointly counseled that social dialogue mechanism rather than industrial strike action should be explored now, given the frail nature of the national economy.

“Our major concern, however, is the fragile state of our national economy, which is not only grasping for breadth but requires clinical stability to bring it back on its toes. We are aware that any disruption in our production processes which the labour holds key position in, would set socio-economic recovery initiatives back into duodenums.

 “Macro-economic stability, which this strike action would distort is vital to the nation’s campaigns to woo direct foreign investment portfolios to shore up our nearly drowning national currency in exchange with peer foreign denominations.”

The Coalition however called on the Federal Government to deliberate with the Labour Unions in order to safe the country the needless economic embarrassment.

“We are of the strong view that the offence of insignificantly minute, dredges of society in a corner post of Owerri, Imo State should not hold the entire nation at ransom. The leprous fingers should be solely amputated for its crimes without becoming a cantankerous, spreading gangrene affecting the entire national body polity.

“The Federal Government must therefore, necessarily partner with the labour leadership to decisively punish the culprits within the ambits of the law.

“We call on both the Federal Government and the organized labour unions NLC / TUC to genuinely enlist social dialogue mechanism to find an amicable common ground panacea and avoid this national strike action in overriding interest of our ailing, national economy. Justice must be seen to be manifestly done, as the heavens would not fall.

Commenting on why in their view the nationwide strike action directive is not in tune with current realities the Coalition maintained

that: “We are apt to note that this strike is predicated on a “dispute of rights” not, a “dispute of interest”, which in industrial relations practices cannot be a ground for declaration of strike action.

“More importantly, fact check shows that there is a subsisting court order preventing the Labour from embarking on this strike. To us, two wrongs has never made a right. The brutal violation of the dignity of persons of the labour leader by fascist storm troopers cannot be redressed by committing a counter-illegalities.

“Moreover, the Federal Government has demonstrated requisite will to deal with the perpetrators of the heinous attack on the NLC President. For instance, the Commissioner of Police under whose watch, the Police played a complicit role has since been redeployed out of the State while pertinent investigations to fish out culprits for disciplinary actions have been initiated.”

The post Nationwide Strike Action: Let national interest prevail, CSOs caution Labour appeared first on Sunrise News.

In a statement jointly signed statement issued by the NLC General Secretary Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja and the TUC Secretary General Nuhu Toro early on Thursday, the labour groups cited the incessant moves by Governor hope Uzodinma to muzzle the state labour force.

“The Government of Imo state has continued to use the instrument of violence and intimidation against trade unions and their leadership in the state. Just as Nigerian workers gathered earlier this morning led by the leadership of the two labour centres to demonstrate our outrage over the serial and habitual abuse and violation of the rights of workers in the state; the Government unleashed blood cuddling mayhem on the workers.

 “Earlier in the morning, Police men had tried to disperse workers who were gathering at the state NLC secretariat without success. This was followed in the usual manner by thugs who were stationed very close to the Secretariat in several Hilux and Toyota trucks.

“These thugs were later to unleash mayhem on the few workers who had already gathered smashing car windscreens, delivering matchet cuts on some, stabbing many, and inflicting all manners of injuries on the workers. GSM handsets were snatched, Laptops taken away and Monies were forcefully taken away by the hoodlums.”

The workers faulted Governor Uzodinma on what they regarded as an unprovoked vilification of the headship of the workers group staging a peaceful protest in the state to drive home its demand.

 “The President of the NLC; comrade Joe Ajaero arrived the venue accompanied by few individual workers to inspect the carnage and to provide the necessary leadership for the trade union action to continue only to be met by Police men of the Imo state Police Command, who came in their numbers and in several trucks.

“The Police in the usual manner accompanied by thugs led by the Special Assistant to the Governor of Imo state on Special Duties: Mr. Chinasa Nwaneri leading others like Tapey and Madoka descended on the President of the Congress after overpowering the few workers who were left after the initial battering, inflicted heavy injuries and big blows to his head and body and kicking him in the process while dragging him on the ground while the Police supervised the mayhem.

“They eventually bundled the President into their waiting van and whisked him away to unknown destination where he is still being held incommunicado as we write.”

The Labour group demands the immediate release of their President Comrade Ajaero as the only step that can douse the situation going forward.

“All we have been asking the Governor is to honour agreements signed between us and to respect the rights of workers in the state. Workers deserve their wage and if you are in the habit of owing workers, you make their lives unstable and strip them of their humanity.

“These are some of the things we have asked Hope to do but to which he has refused to heed instead, he believes in the use of intimidation and violence against the workers and the people. We call on Nigerian workers, wherever they may be; in the respective industrial Unions; the state Councils and the Branches to be on alert for an immediate nationwide action if by the end of today, the President of the Congress is not released.

“This latest action of the State Government and the Police further demonstrates our earlier cries to Nigerians on the level of violence and impunity going on in Imo State. If the President of the Congress can be abducted in broad day light and taken to unknown destination by the Police and the State Governor, imagine, what they have been doing to workers and trade union leaders in the state! This is mind boggling and unacceptable in sane societies.

“We cannot be at work while our President is in the gulag and we cannot be at peace when the Government of Imo state continues to disrespect workers and treat them with utter disdain.”

“With this statement, we want to put the Nigerian Government on notice that we want the President of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) immediately released. The injuries meted to him must be treated forthwith and his freedom to lead Nigerian workers in a peaceful protest guaranteed. This is what we demand as we proceed to the meetings of the various Organs to take decisions on further steps that will be taken.

“If this is not heeded now, anything that happens in the Country, the Governor of Imo State and the Police Commissioner must be held responsible. Nigeria is a Country of Laws and we especially the leaders must learn to work within its ambits. The IGP who is in the State must call his operatives to order to avoid loss of lives, properties and further injuries on innocent workers in Imo State.

“Workers in Imo State must be free and we must all join hands to ensure that this happens. Hope Uzodimma must be called to order by the President and Commander in chief of the Armed forces to avert what he has chosen to turn the state into – a den of thugs and blood suckers.

“We will press on with our engagement as trade unions until the Government listens to the demands of the workers. The Governor should not be deluded into thinking that today’s violence will stop our resolve and determination to save the workers of Imo state. It has rather encouraged us to organize more so that we will engage him more creatively and effectively. Once again, we call on the Police to immediately release the President of Congress without further delay.”

The post NLC, TUC Carpets Hope Uzodinma,Imo CP over Ajaero’s abduction, threatens total strike action if.. appeared first on Sunrise News.

The labour bodies are expected to meet again with the federal government to review the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding they signed on subsidy removal palliatives.Ahead of the meeting, the organised labour also lamented the devastating impact of the forex crisis on the economy and demanded urgent stabilisation of the naira.

The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, released a statement on Sunday, blaming government officials’ for the free fall of the nation’s currency.

In a statement titled, “Urgent action to stabilise the naira amidst alarming depreciation,” the NLC president said the repercussions of the weakened currency would be felt by workers and the masses.

He said, “Hopefully, we may meet tomorrow (today) with the federal government to see whether the agreement with organised labour on the fuel subsidy removal palliatives was met or not.

“If that meeting is to be held, it will be without the Minister of Labour and Employment (Simon Lalong) because we will not be part of any meeting with the federal government that the minister of labour and employment will attend.

“You will recall that the decision we had on the National Union of Road Transport Workers was that all parties, including the police should leave the premises, pending the resolution of the dispute but that did not happen. Therefore, any meeting we will have with the federal government, the minister of labour and employment will not be part of it.”

The post Subsidy removal: Organised Labour makes fresh demands ahead of meeting with FG appeared first on Sunrise News.

Speaking at the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT Lagos State Wing) 2023 International Teachers’ Day Celebration at the NUT Pavilion, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Alli-Balogun noted that teachers impart on world is immeasurable and deserves a commensurate treat.

According to the Commissioner:”A teacher touches eternity for he never knows where his influence reaches. Every good teacher deserves the respect, regard and Celebration of his students because it is the teacher who, like a candle consumes himself to light the way for his students.

“A good teacher plants the seed of knowledge, sprinkles them with Love and patiently nurtures their growth to produce tomorrow’s dreams.

“We also appreciate your ageless duty in helping to plant the seed of knowledge from foundation with passion. This you have done with unfading desire for the benefit of the State and Nigeria.

“You are not Just teachers, but also mentors, role models and pillars of strength. Your influence spreads beyond the classrooms, inspiring students to achieve their dreams, embrace diversity, and become responsible citizens.

 “I wish to State that notwithstanding the recent change in the nomenclature, the Ministry will continue the implementation of the education transformation plan as conceived by our goal getter Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu”.

Alli Balogun stressed further that his Ministry will continue to treat the welfare of teachers as utmost priority at all time, he added that it is an undeniable fact that teachers are the goose that lay the golden eggs.

He stated that the administration of His Excellency, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo Olu will always recognize the significant roles of education, especially as it concerns the core function of providing basic and Secondary Education in Lagos State.

“The Ministry will continue to provide capacity building for teachers alongside investment in digital tools for improved teaching delivery and performance, we will not overlook the supportive assistance and programs the technical education needs.”

Notable dignitaries like Deputy Governor, Dr. Quadri Olufemi Hamzat; Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Jamiu Alli-Balogun; Head of Service, Barr. Olabode Shuabeeb Agoro; Permanent Secretary, Teaching Service Commission, Mrs. Olusola Abidakun; Chairman, SUBEB, Dr. Babatunde Akeem Shittu; Fmr. Commissioner for Education, Barr. Olayinka Oladunjoye; NUT Chairman, Come. Akintoye Akeem Hassan and many more were present at the epoch-making event.

The post World Teachers’ Day: Alli-Balogun reaffirms plan to bolster Teachers’ capacity appeared first on Sunrise News.