NLC, TUC Suspend Industrial Action For One Month
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress have suspended the indefinite strike scheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 3. The organized labour had planned to embark on the nationwide industrial action to protest the hardship caused by the fuel subsidy removal. However, on Monday night, NLC president, Joe Ajaero in a communique, announced that the strike has been halted for thirty days. The strike was called after the government refused to meet the seven-point demands of the organized labour to improve workers’ conditions. The Federal Government had invited Labour for a meeting to prevent the strike. The meeting involved Governors, Ministers, and officials and was chaired by Femi Gbajabiamila. The Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong addressed withheld salaries of university staff, while the new wage of N35,000 for Federal Government workers was granted from September. Outstanding salaries and wages of tertiary education workers in Federal-owned institutions were referred to the Ministry of Labour and Employment for further engagement.
Independence Day: Shelve Planned Strike, Nasarawa Speaker Begs NLC, TUC
The Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Alh. Ibrahim Abdullahi, has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to shelve their planned indefinite strike for the overall development of the country. The call is contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Jibrin Gwamna, in Lafia on Sunday. Abdullahi said that the strike would affect the socio-economic activities of the country negatively, hence the need for his appeal for more time and realistic dialogue. “I want to appeal to the leadership of the NlC and TUC to shelve their planned strike in the interest of peace and for the overall development of the country,” he said. The speaker appreciated Nigerians for their loyalty and support to the government since independence in the country. Abdullahi said that the progress and development achieved so far in the country was as a result of citizens loyalty and support to both the past and present governments in the country. The speaker congratulated all Nigerians at 63 and Nasarawa state at 27 on the successful Independence Day celebration and wished them more fruitful years ahead. “I want to appreciate our founding fathers for ensuring that we got independence in the country. “Since we got independence in the country, so far so good, the country is progressing and is moving forward despite our challenges, we are not stagnant as a nation and as a state,” he said. The speaker also urged Nigerians to use the Independence anniversary and reflect on the sacrifices of the nation’s founding fathers. He called on all and sundry to strive towards ensuring that the labour of the nation’s founding fathers were never in vain by contributing positively to the development of the country. Abdullahi also called on Nigerians to continue to pray for the nation’s unity, peace, progress and development. Besides, he urged the people of the state and Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu, Gov. Abdullahi Sule and other leaders to succeed. “I want to call on Nigerians to continue to pray and support President Bola Tinubu, His Excellency Gov. Abdullahi Sule and other leaders to succeed.” The speaker further appealed to Nigerians to continue to remain law abiding, respect constituted authorities and live peacefully with one another for development to thrive.
No Going Back On October 3 Strike, NLC Insists
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it has reached no agreement with the Federal Government to call off the planned indefinite strike for October 3, insisting that the planned industrial action will still continue. Mr Benson Upah, Head of Information and Public Affairs in NLC said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. It would be recalled that the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had at the end of the joint National Executive Council meeting declared an indefinite strike beginning from Tuesday to press home their demands. Upah was reacting to a statement allegedly issued by Mr Olajide Oshundun, Director, Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Upah said there were some inconsistencies in the statement which include the proposed strike and the illegal occupation of the secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). “Accordingly, we find it necessary to make clarifications. Firstly, we do not have any agreement with the government to suspend the planned strike action. “Neither do we have any date for a meeting with the government that may lead to the suspension of the proposed strike. “While we do not intend to demean or minimise the office of the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, this matter is beyond the Ministry. “This should have been obvious to them during our most recent meeting,” he added. He, therefore, commended the role played by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Simon Lalong in securing the release of the executives of the NURTW from unlawful, illegal police detention. Upah added: “We take exception to the ministry describing these executives as factional leaders. “They were lawfully elected into office. We still find it necessary to advise the police and those elements behind their travails to desist from this despicable and shameful conduct. “They are advised to retrace their steps. If democracy is to be of meaning to us, then we should resist the urge or temptation for impunity. Enough is enough.”
Looming Strike: NLC Criticises FG’s Lack of Progress on CNG Buses, Cash Transfers, Others
Amid the economic hardships triggered by the removal of fuel subsidies, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the apparent lack of commitment from the Federal Government to address its demands. Following an unsuccessful meeting with government officials on Monday, where both sides failed to reach an agreement to avert an indefinite strike, the NLC President Joe Ajaero spoke out about the government’s reluctance to address several critical issues during an appearance on Channels Television’s which was monitored by NIGERIAN ANCHOR. Among the NLC’s key demands are the need to mitigate the consequences of petrol price hikes, review the minimum wage, establish a viable roadmap for the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel, rehabilitate the country’s refineries, and settle lecturers’ salary arrears. Ajaero expressed frustration, saying, “Even the issue as simple as cash transfer or bringing buses on the road, nothing has happened to them. So, it’s a lack of willingness, and we can’t muddle up all these issues. Then you call a minimum wage as wage award. If anybody is looking at the issue of wage award as minimum wage, then there’s confusion within that class of people.” He referenced a 2021 agreement on CNG vehicles reached with the then Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, highlighting that it was evident a million vehicles could be converted to CNG within three months. Ajaero criticized the Federal Government’s 2024 projection to deploy CNG buses for a more affordable mass transit system, questioning the delay, saying, “What is so peculiar about next year when these processes will start? Is it that there are no CNG vehicles that can hit the road, or we can’t have some stations, even with IPMAN saying that their filling stations are available?” Ajaero also criticized the Federal Government for its failure to meet the union’s demands despite having over four months to do so. The NLC is now preparing for an indefinite strike due to the ongoing economic difficulties in the country. “We agree that the Federal Government has had more than enough time for the past four months, and that even if there is a commitment, between now and the next four days, issues will be resolved,” Ajaero said. “And we hope that the minister [Simon Lalong] will work with us within these next few days to make sure we resolve the problem.” Regarding the possibility of resuming negotiations on Tuesday, Ajaero stated that if invited, the NLC would participate in the discussions.
NLC begins 2-day strike, insists N5bn palliative not enough
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has initiated a two-day warning strike to protest the Federal Government’s handling of the challenges resulting from the removal of fuel subsidies. This move follows NLC President Joe Ajaero’s announcement last Friday. In his inaugural speech on May 29, President Bola Tinubu declared the end of fuel subsidies, triggering a significant surge in fuel prices nationwide and an increase in the cost of living. The NLC accuses the Federal Government of abandoning negotiations and failing to implement resolutions from previous meetings. On August 2, the organized labour staged protests against what they deemed “anti-people policies” by President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and affiliated unions demonstrated in several states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), demanding the reversal of anti-poor policies, the release of withheld university lecturers’ and workers’ salaries, and an increase in the minimum wage from N30,000 to N200,000. Despite numerous meetings between the Presidency and the unions regarding palliatives for Nigerians affected by the petrol subsidy removal, no agreement was reached. Last month, NLC President Joe Ajaero argued that the N5 billion allocated to each state and the FCT to mitigate the impact of the subsidy removal was grossly insufficient to alleviate the suffering of the people. Ajaero explained that when calculated, the N5 billion would amount to less than N1,500 per person, raising questions about whether the funds were intended as loans or palliatives to the states or citizens. “The first increase in the pump price of petroleum products and the last one moved a lot of people from the borderline to a very high level of poverty,” he said. “Now, if you calculate it, you will discover that this will not translate to N1,500 per person and you ask: is that the impact? Is that really what we want to achieve? Let’s assume it’s a loan. What is really going to happen? Is it garbage in, garbage out? “If it is N5 billion, I think organised labour would want anybody to do the calculation and tell us how it is going to impact Nigerians on what is happening currently. If it is a loan, then it is too bad,” Ajaero argued. He highlighted the profound impact of recent fuel price increases on poverty levels, emphasizing that the proposed financial relief appeared inadequate. Organized labour has continued to call for transparency concerning the N5 billion allocated whilst questioning its effectiveness in addressing the ongoing economic challenges triggered by the subsidy removal.
Subsidy Removal: NLC declares 2-day warning strike
The Nigeria Labour Congres (NLC) has declared a two-day warning strike, beginning on Tuesday, September 5, in protest against the Federal Government for failing to address the challenges caused by the removal of fuel subsidy. The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the declaration on Friday during a press conference at the Labour House in Abuja, while speaking on resolutions by the NLC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting the previous day. The labour union is accusing the Federal Government of abandoning the negotiations and failing to implement some of the resolutions from previous meetings with the government. On August 2, organised labour protested what it described as the anti-people policies of the administration of President Bola Tinubu. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliate unions demonstrated in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and several states, including Lagos, Abia, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, Zamfara, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kwara, Ogun, Imo, Ondo, and Edo. The protest followed a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government demanding “the immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the federal government including the recent hike in PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) price, increase in public school fees, the release of the eight months withheld salary of university lecturers and workers”. The union also demanded an upward review of the minimum wage from N30,000 to N200,000, saying that since the President’s “subsidy is gone” inauguration speech of May 29, 2023, the peace of mind of Nigerians has gone. Several meetings between the Presidency and the unions on palliatives for Nigerians suffering hardship in the wake of the petrol subsidy removal proved abortive. Last month, NLC president Joe Ajaero argued that the N5 billion approved for each state and the FCT to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal was inadequate to impact on the people. Ajaero had argued that if calculated, the N5 billion would not amount to N1,500 per person. According to him, it is unclear whether the money is a loan or a palliative to the states or to Nigerians. “The first increase in the pump price of petroleum products and the last one moved a lot of people from the borderline to a very high level of poverty,” he said. “Now, if you calculate it, you will discover that this will not translate to N1,500 per person and you ask: is that the impact? Is that really what we want to achieve? Let’s assume it’s a loan. What is really going to happen? Is it garbage in, garbage out? “If it is N5 billion, I think organised labour would want anybody to do the calculation and tell us how it is going to impact Nigerians on what is happening currently. If it is a loan, then it is too bad.”
Protests: FG bows to Organised Labour, withdraws contempt suit
The Federal Government says it has withdrawn the contempt of court proceedings against organised labour for embarking on a nationwide protest. This is contained in a letter addressed to the lead counsel to the NLC, Falana and Falana’s Chambers on Tuesday in Abuja. The letter dated August 7 to Falana’s Chambers was signed by the Solicitor General of the Federation, Mrs B.E. Jeddy-Agba. The Federal Ministry of Justice had through the National Industrial Court (NICN) issued the leadership of the organised labour summons on contempt of court for embarking on the protest. The Union had responded by threatening to embark on a nationwide strike from August 14, if the Federal Government failed to withdraw its contempt of court charges. The Labour Congress and it’s affiliate the Tarde Union Congress (TUC) had embarked on a mass protest over anti-poor policies of government, especially the removal of fuel subsidy that had brought untold hardship to Nigerians. The letter reads: “Kindly recall the exchange of correspondence between the ministry and your office on the need for compliance with the extant court orders, restraining industrial action of any kind on the part of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress. “The position of the ministry was informed by the need to safeguard the integrity of the court and prevent avoidable service disruption or damage to public facilities. “In spite of these exchanges/interventions, the labour unions on August 2, proceeded with the industrial action through public pretests”. It also said the protest led to disruption of work and the eventual pulling down of the gate of the National Assembly. “The foregoing, it said, prompted the ministry to initiate contempt proceedings by tiling Form 48 on the same 2nd August 2023 in accordance with Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act and Order 9 Rule 13 oftlwe Judgment (Enforcement) Rules. “It is trite that issuance of Form 48 is just the starting point in contempt proceedings which will only crystalize upon the issuance of Form 49 and the consequential committal order.” It noted that upon the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and the decision of the labour unions to call-off their industrial action after meetings with the President and leadership of the National Assembly. “The ministry did not proceed further with the contempt proceedings, which would have required the issuance of Form 49 within two days of the issuance of Form 48. “It is self-evident that the none-issuance of Form 49 as at August 4, renders the contempt proceedings inchoate. “You may therefore wish to advise or guide the labour unions on the practice and procedure of contempt proceedings. “Also, particularly to the effect that the issues or concerns raised by NLC in its communique on the proceedings, have been overtaken by events,” it said.
Tinubu, subsidy, NLC and Nigeria’s economic turbulence
On May 29, 2023, during his inaugural speech, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu made a momentous decision to scrap Nigeria’s fuel subsidies, citing pressing budgetary concerns. However, this move triggered a staggering surge in fuel prices, widespread panic-buying of fuel, and a sharp increase in the cost of various essential commodities. The ramifications of the fuel subsidy removal have struck fear in the hearts of millions of Nigerians, particularly low-income earners who worry about their ability to afford transportation, education, food, and healthcare and other social amenities. In response to the government’s decision, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), entrusted with the responsibility to protect and defend workers’ rights and well-being, vehemently opposed the move. Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, criticized Tinubu’s decision, asserting that it lacked careful consideration and predicted it would cause the country’s economy to regress by more than 50 percent within the coming weeks. In light of their objections, the Congress issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the reversal of all “anti-poor” policies, including the petrol price hike. The NLC accused the government of showing disdain and contempt for the Nigerian people and declared a war of attrition on workers and the masses. Citing the strength of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the NLC announced on June 7 their intention to launch a nationwide protest on August 2, 2023, against the fuel subsidy removal. In response, the Federal Government took legal action, seeking to stop the union from proceeding with the proposed strike. The government argued that such industrial action could severely impact society and the nation’s overall well-being. In a ruling on an ex parte application, Justice O.Y Anuwe ordered the unions not to embark on any industrial action or strike pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, dated June 5, 2023. The court highlighted the potential disruptions to economic activities and essential sectors. Unfazed by the court’s injunctions, lengthy negotiation meetings, and warnings from the Federal Ministry of Justice regarding contempt of court, the NLC stood firm on their threat and flooded the streets with protesters on August 2. The demonstrations aimed to voice opposition against the recent fuel price hike, tuition fees increase in public schools, and the withholding of salaries for university lecturers and workers. Meanwhile, the government, through the Solicitor General of the Ministry of Justice, accused the NLC leaders of treating the order of the National Industrial Court (NIC) with contempt. Justice Beatrice Jedy-Agba asserted twice that the organized labour’s industrial action was illegal, as there was a subsisting interim order restraining the NLC from engaging in any industrial action. The government prayed the court to hold NLC President Joe Ajaero, Deputy Presidents Audu Aruba, Prince Adeyanju Adewale, and Kabiru Sani, General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, TUC President Engr Festus Usifo, and Scribe/Chief Executive Nuhu Toro in contempt of court and commit them to prison. In response, the NLC condemned the industrial court and the Justice Ministry as “anti-democracy” agents, and they demanded the withdrawal of the lawsuit or face mass strike. Following discussions at the NLC’s NEC meeting in Abuja, the union issued a stern ultimatum, warning that failure to comply with their demand could result in a nationwide strike on August 14, 2023. This ongoing saga showcases the deep-seated tensions and concerns about the impact of the fuel subsidy removal on the lives of Nigerian citizens and the overall health of the nation’s economy. As both sides engage in a legal battle and the NLC continues its protests, the future remains uncertain, and the fate of Nigeria’s fuel subsidy hangs in the balance, even as ordinary Nigerians continue to bear the brunt.
Contempt Suit: Withdraw case or face strike action, NLC warns FG
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the withdrawal of a lawsuit filed against organized labour. According to them, failure to comply with this demand could lead to a nationwide strike on August 14, 2023. The decision was reached during the NLC’s National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Thursday. In a statement, signed by the National President, Joe Ajaero, and the National Secretary, Emanuel Ugboaja, the NLC strongly accused the Ministry of Justice and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) of aligning themselves as “anti-democracy” agents. While the NLC temporarily suspended its protest following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, they have made it clear that they will not hesitate to initiate a nationwide total strike if labour leaders are summoned to Court by the government through the NICN. “The NLC remains resolute in its stance to protect workers’ rights and interests, emphasizing the importance of the government respecting their demands and refraining from legal actions perceived as undermining the democratic process,” the statement said. The statement further highlighted some of the resolutions of the union which include “To commit to maintaining the required vigilance needed to hold government accountable on its assurances and governance in general; to commit to the terminal date of August 19th 2023 within which the issues around the Petroleum price hike will be agreed given the assurances of the President and the National Assembly. “To go on total strike across the country any day labour leaders are summoned to Court by the government through the NICN; to demand the immediate withdrawal of this litigious terrorism by the Federal Ministry of Justice before the end of work Friday, the 11th of August, 2023. “To embark on a nationwide comprehensive strike beginning Monday 14th of August, 2023 if this contemptuous Court summons is not withdrawn by whosoever initiated it.” Though it commended the national leadership and all the state officers for the effective coordination of the protest, the union urged all affiliates and state councils including its civil society allies to stay further action but to remain focused and eternally vigilant.
Subsidy Removal: FG initiates contempt suit against NLC, TUC amid protests
The Federal Government has taken legal action against the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for allegedly defying a court order that prohibits the unions from engaging in industrial action. This “notice of consequences of disobedience to order of court,” also known as “Form 48,” was filed in the National Industrial Court in Abuja on Wednesday. The notice warns the NLC and TUC that failure to comply with the court’s directions, as delivered by Honourable Justice Y. Anuwe on June 5, 2023, will result in contempt of court charges and possible imprisonment. In response to the perceived “anti-people” policies of the President Bola Tinubu administration, the Organised Labour initiated protests in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as well as in various states, including Lagos, Benue, Abia, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, Zamfara, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kwara, Ogun, Imo, Ondo, and Edo. Key figures from the NLC and TUC, accompanied by numerous members, led the protest in the Federal Capital Territory, commencing from the Unity Fountain. Additionally, affiliated unions, such as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the National Union of Electricity Employees of Nigeria (NUEE), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), participated in the nationwide demonstration.