News

Strike looms as meeting with organised labour, FG ends in deadlock

Published

9 months ago

August 9, 2023

Strike looms as meeting with organised labour, FG ends in deadlock

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have declared President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff unfit for bargaining with the union and are planning a statewide strike.

The labour unions made the statement on Tuesday at the meeting with the national Assembly heads.

In attendance are the leaderships of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Festus Osifo, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the leadership of the Senate.

The NLC and the Trade Union Congress had taken over the premises of the National Assembly on August 2, protesting the hardship induced on Nigerians by the fuel subsidy removal and the floating of the naira.

However, the National Assembly pledged to address the demands of labour in seven days which elapsed on August 6, 2023.

Ajaero, the NLC boss lamented before the NASS representatives that the Tinubu wage award committee is yet to sit over two months after the removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria.

Ajaero reiterated that Gbajabiamila had failed to sit with the organized labour for a meeting, alleging that he claims to be busy.

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The unions said, ”At no time had the Chief of Staff to the president who is very busy called to negotiate or lead negotiations.

“Part of our challenge is the issue of the committee put in place, the committee seems not to be capable, as labor we have done with Nngotiation and engagement with the government from the time of Ikaite, as SGF, kingibe, Pius Ayim, and Boss Mustapha

“And that has delayed the issues, even since after our protest, another meeting has not reconvened.”

Ajaero further explained that nothing has been done by the presidency since President Tinubu promised to review workers’ wages.

He said, “We had agreed on wage award, and up till this moment the committee on wage award is yet to sit.

“Although the president promised that he will restructure the mechanism of engagement with government to help things to be treated fast.”

Reacting, the President of the Senate Akpabio commended the Organised Labour for their patience and understanding to assist the government in reshaping the fortunes of the country.

Akpabio told the unions that although Nigeria has saved N1 trillion from the fuel subsidy removal, the administration also inherited a broke country with debt over N30 trillion.

Akpabio assured the aggrieved labour unions of the Federal Government’s partnership to ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians.

He also promised of FG’s readiness to partner with the labour unions to proffer lasting solutions to the perennial trade disputes in the country.

The union had earlier noted that if their demands are not met, they will embark on a nationwide strike.

Strike looms as meeting with organised labour, FG ends in deadlock

The Whistler

Related Topics:Featured FG NLC Trade Union Congress

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Ohanaeze Ndigbo President-General raises alarm over threats to his life

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7 hours ago

May 9, 2024

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Ohanaeze Ndigbo President-General raises alarm over threats to his life

Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has expressed concern over threats to his life by individuals he described as anti-Igbo. He revealed that there have been plans to either kill him or burn his house due to his leadership of Ndigbo.

Addressing a press conference in Enugu, Iwuanyanwu highlighted the dangers he faced, mentioning the death of his predecessor, Prof George Obiozor, and an attempt on another ex-leader’s life. He recounted receiving information about people hired to attack him but assured that he remained undeterred in his commitment to serving his people.

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Iwuanyanwu lamented being confronted by such threats despite his efforts to serve his people, citing his extensive career and scholarship schemes that benefited thousands of youths. He recalled the fate of late Prof. Joe Irukwu, who faced similar accusations of working against the interest of Igboland.

Despite the challenges, Iwuanyanwu reaffirmed his determination to serve Ndigbo and vowed not to yield to intimidation.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo President-General raises alarm over threats to his life

News

Rivers crisis festers as new factional Speaker emerges

Published

8 hours ago

May 9, 2024

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Rivers crisis festers as new factional Speaker emerges

A new speaker has emerged in Rivers State Wednesday May 8, 2024, to signal the much-awaited showdown in state’s deteriorating political crisis which seems to be here.

Already, hidden cards or fists are appearing every hour to show that both the Nyesom Wike camp and the Governor Siminalayi Fubara camp have been preparing for it.

The Wike camp through the Rivers State caretaker committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by Tony Okocha yesterday gave go-ahead for impeachment action against the governor. The one they one the 27 defected lawmakers loyal to Wike initiated on October 30, 2023, failed when Gov Fubara fought back until a temporary ceasefire was achieved in Aso Rock with an 8-point agreement signed by both parties but largely observed in breach.

Now, it seems both camps have rearmed and may be ready for the final showdown that may make Rivers State tense in the coming days, to say the least.

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The APC has directed that impeachment begin immediately; the next day, the Fubara camp announced their own Speaker, Victor Oko Jumbo from Bonny; same day, hints emerge that screening of LGA caretaker committee members may be going on.

On the other hand, the local councils have staged protests saying their monthly allocations have been withheld. Pressure is thus mounting from that angle covering the 23 local council areas.

The purported screening may lead to appointment of caretaker committees of the 23 LGAs in the state who would get the monthly allocations and hit the ground running.

This action would provoke what the Wike-backed APC group said they would resist. They may begin their own action in the form of impeachment proceedings which the Fubara camp (Rivers State government) said they would resist.

These acts of resistance may plunge the state into violence and make it ungovernable. At that point, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has remained silent since the peace agreement, may unveil the sanctions he had threatened would descend on any person who breached the agreement. Each camp points to the other as the one breaching the agreements. Each clings to Tinubu as the favourite.

The battle seems timed to ensure that the one year anniversary is hindered.

Rivers crisis festers as new factional Speaker emerges

News

Cybersecurity levy suspension tears lawmakers apart, speaker overrules

Published

8 hours ago

May 9, 2024

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Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen

Cybersecurity levy suspension tears lawmakers apart, speaker overrules

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, intervened on Wednesday to halt a motion calling for the suspension of the controversial cybersecurity levy, which has sparked widespread dissatisfaction among Nigerians.

Since the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) mandated all banks to deduct 0.5% of the value of electronic transactions from customers, Nigerians from various sectors have vehemently opposed the levy, labelling it an additional financial burden.

During Wednesday’s plenary session, Manu Soro, a lawmaker from Bauchi State, presented the motion, citing concerns about the timing of the levy’s introduction amidst Nigeria’s prevailing economic challenges.

Soro argued that imposing new taxes or increasing existing ones amid the current economic difficulties exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies and currency depreciation would only add to citizens’ financial woes.

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He called on the House to urge the CBN to retract the circular on the cybersecurity levy and halt its implementation immediately. Additionally, he urged the Minister of Finance to refrain from introducing new taxes or raising existing rates until the economic situation improves significantly.

However, Speaker Abbas advised Soro to temporarily withdraw the motion to allow the House leadership to deliberate on the best course of action to address the issue.

In a related development, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) threatened to shut down the economy over the plan to implement the cybersecurity levy on electronic transactions. TUC’s president, Mr. Festus Osifo, criticized the levy as illogical, particularly given the current economic challenges faced by Nigerians. He warned that its implementation could worsen poverty and deepen the economic crisis in the country.