`Governors should be stripped of immunity to face criminal charges` – Wabba

The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, in this interview, spoke about recent shooting of protesting workers in Nasarawa State and other issues bordering on  workers’  welfare. How did the protest in Nasarawa State lead to the death of three workers? What we had in Nasarawa is very unfortunate. Because of […]

The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, in this interview, spoke about recent shooting of protesting workers in Nasarawa State and other issues bordering on  workers’  welfare.

How did the protest in Nasarawa State lead to the death of three workers?
What we had in Nasarawa is very unfortunate. Because of the challenges in the economy, salaries are cut by various percentages, depending on level and status of workers. That is illegal because it goes against the tenets of collective bargaining.  Workers are not slaves, and that is why the unions are there to enforce their wages and conditions of service.  To reduce their salary that was hitherto agreed on through the principles of collective bargaining, is something that we cannot accept because it is not legal and it is out of taste. Any recommendation that salaries should be reduced without consulting with the workers directly affected, or under  a formal agreement, is null. We understand that there are challenges, but bypassing procedures is not acceptable.  What they normally do is to work outside the rules and regulations of discussing issues around workers welfare. Convention 9(3) makes it very explicit that the principle of collective bargaining is sacrosanct between an employer and employee to resolve issues devoid of threats, intimidations.  Because when you take an illegal action, workers also can resort to withdrawing their services. Don’t forget that we had intervened in many cases in the past, so this is not any different. That is why we have to look at how best to address these issues.
So, how did the shooting incident occur?
This happened right in front of the Nasarawa State Government House when the meeting was ongoing.  A worker was shot in the chest.We have made a call to the government to condemn in strong terms the attack and also demanded that the hospital bills of those attacked be paid for. I must confess that the issues have affected the ongoing dialogue and we are looking at resolving the issues as early as possible.  Don’t forget that before that time, students of the College of Education also protested the killing of their colleagues by a reckless driver. It was in this process that two of their colleagues were shot dead by some trigger happy policemen. These are extra judicial killings and not acceptable. The claim that non workers were deployed to join our protests is, at best, laughable because we have the clips which we have presented to them to point out the person or persons. We sent a petition to the Inspector General of Police over the killing of our members and students. We expect that justice will be done and we condemn any attempt to upturn evidences provided. We believe as a union in the sanctity of human life. We are strategising on how best to approach the issues. 
Why the strike in the first place, despite the efforts made by the state government to prevent it?
The workers had to resort to strike to enforce their rights. If you have been paying workers certain salaries for some years and all of a sudden, in a matter of weeks, you review the salaries lower, I think they have the right to down their tools and protest when conditions are not met and principle of collective bargaining is not deployed. We have, however, directed that they take full responsibility for the events that happened, because one action led to another. The lives of every human matter to us and seeing these killings are becoming a recurring decimal, we won’t rest on our oars.  There should be full investigation to get to the root of the matter. 
What is your take on the call for the removal of immunity of governors?
 Before the law, all citizens are equal and the fact that they are privileged   to provide leadership does not mean they are above the law. So, the issue of immunity it is absurd. Criminal proceedings should therefore not be allowed to be deterred by immunity. For civil cases, it may be allowed. This is to strengthen our democracy. If you look at most of the cases that have festered in courts for years,  you will see that the immunity granted these public officials contributed a great deal to delaying them.  On the fight against corruption, every Nigerian must subject themselves to the rule of law and even while in office, criminal proceedings should be allowed to be initiated, irrespective of the person involved. Don’t also forget that we have submitted a formal letter to all the tiers of government, especially the executive, to address these issues. The issue of having specialised courts for the quick dispensation of justice  will, therefore, advance administration of justice. And we will not relent in lending our voice through advocacy, and at the end of the day we should be able to have a result. We call on Nigerians and the media to join us to advance these issues together because those that are enjoying the immunity are not likely to make a move. They are benefiting from the system and so they won’t be happy for the immunity removal.  There is going to be a memorandum, because we will provide an opportunity for organisations and individuals to submit memorandum and be part of the process. Law is about the people and we are the people.  
What is your latest stance on minimum wage review?
The issue of minimum wage has been on the ground for a long time. The norm, I believe, is to constitute a committee and, as far as I am concerned, the committee has not been constituted. What we did at the inaugural meeting of the committee is to look at the structure and composition of the minimum wage committee. And we have submitted the structure, composition and number of persons that are to be in it, and what is left is for the government to announce the composition of the committee and inaugurate it.  
Where do you stand on fuel price hike?
We are going to make a pronouncement now that the PPRA has been constituted. The chairman has announced that organisations have also been requested to submit their representatives which they have done. We had the first inaugural meeting and thereon the organised labour constituted themselves into one single committee and decided to look at issues and come up with proposal and that has been completed. Whenever the meeting is reconvened, we will present what we think is the best option to tackle those issues that have been put on the table concerning the issues surrounding fuel price increase. I think, by and large, it is also for us to approach these issues in good faith.  The purchasing powers of ordinary workers have been affected due to soaring prices of commodities.  We should have a plan or action that can determine how long we are going to suffer for and we demand what the process is and that is basically what we are bringing on the table. 
Some governors have reduced workers hours of work for them to engage in farming in face of current economic hardship. What do you have to say about this?
 I am not sure that policy has been thought out very well.  We are not in support of that because we cannot just find error in a system that has been well tested overtime and it did not even start in Nigeria. It has been like that for long and public service is very clear, that after working hours you can engage in other business but during your working hours it is unacceptable. People get paid because they work and that is the principle we know and will adopt. We are not going to accept any policy that has capacity to undermine the quality of service rendered to the public. So, we are not part of that policy decision. And we cannot support it.