Labour Top Story • Created May 1, 2021 16:25

Workers Day throws up national resentment, concerns

Minimum wage, retirement age, anti-worker policy all demand attention on May Day

Workers Day throws up national resentment, concerns

Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu marching majestically to deliver his May day rally speech at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, venue for the 2021 May rally in Lagos. May 1, 2021. Photo: Benedict Uwalaka.

Workers’ Day: Nigerian workers deserve to be celebrated – Gbajabiamila

By Balarabe Alkassim

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has paid glowing tributes to Nigerian workers on this year’s Workers’ Day.

Gbajabiamila, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi said, Nigerian workers are worthy of being celebrated.

He noted that the Nigerian system remains stable due to the dedication and sacrifices of the workers.

The Speaker said the welfare of workers would remain paramount on the government’s table.

He added that, he was particularly elated by the resilience of Nigerian workers, whom he described as the bedrock of the society.

He assured that, the 9th House of Representatives remains committed to improving the working conditions of workers through legislative interventions.

He called on the workers to continue to give their best to the country, even as government must keep its side of the bargain to the workers.

Kogi NLC calls for improved welfare

From Adama John, Lokoja

Kogi state chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the state government to come up with a committee that will address the pathetic plight of the workers in the the state.

Marking Workers Day celebration in the Confluence Stadium Lokoja Saturday, the state chairman of the Congress, comrade Onu Edoka said that the dehumanising percentage salary to both primary school teachers and local government councils workers is no longer acceptable.

The labour leader who acknowledged the pathetic situation of workers in the state generally called on the government to address the aforementioned sectors of the economy with dispatch.

According to him, the governor should be mindful of his lieutenants at the corridors of power that will not tell the him the true situation of workers in the state.

Meanwhile, the Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has hailed Kogi State workers at all levels for their commitment to the collective growth, development and stability experienced in the various sectors of the state.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the press secretary, Mohammed Onogwu in his special felicitation to commemorate with Kogi State workers on the occasion of the international worker’s day.

The Governor noted that the State’s workforce formed the bedrock of administration and governance, hence if there was a dedicated, highly motivated and productive workforce, good governance would be further enhanced.

He expressed his pleasure that the State as could boast of a highly productive workforce that has even gained recognition by national rating agencies.

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State

Kano workers want review of retirement, as Ganduje absent from rally

From Clement A. Oloyede, Kano
Kano workers on Saturday appealed to the state government to review their retirement age from 35/60 to 40/65 as well as pay outstanding pension, gratuities and death benefits to the tune of N26 billion.
They made the call during a joint May Day celebration organized by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Daily Trust reports that the state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje was absent at the event and was not represented by any government official, a development that made the NLC state chairman, Dr. Kabiru Ado Minjibir to skip several parts of his speech that was to be directed at the governor.
Minjibir had then noted that though unfortunate that the government was not represented at the ceremony, the workers remain undaunted and will go ahead to present their demands to the government at a later appointment.
The labour leader further called for the implementation of the 2016 local government scheme of service as approved by the state executive council which he said will serve as a morale booster for the local government workers.
He also called for the “payment of outstanding health workers and media personnel allowances/incentives who were engaged during COVID-19 pandemic management in testing, isolation centres, contact tracing and border patrol.
“Implementation of resolutions reached between the organized labour and Kano state government on Wednesday 7th April, 2021 including setting up of a committee to look into all contentious issues as presented by labour.”
Minjibir also noted that with the surgeon COVID-19 pandemic, it came to the notice of the organized labour that “some private sector organizations are hiding under the banner of lockdown to lock-in their workers for days, weeks and even months without proper care and remunerations.”
“This unacceptable to the Congress and can no longer be tolerated. The Congress would soon commence proper monitoring of such companies to ensure that the legitimate rights of workers are protected,” he added.
Daily Trust reports that the governor was represented on Friday by the state’s Commissioner of Information, Malam Muhammad Garba at the symposium organized by the labour union.
Garba had used the occasion to explain to workers why the government could not pay the N30,600 minimum wage in the past few months and promised that as soon as the revenue of the state improved, the government will return to compliance with the minimum wage agreement.
Labour asks Niger gov’t to end anti-workers policy
 Romoke W. Ahmad, Minna 
The Niger state chapter of Organised Labour has called on the state government to end what they described as anti-workers policy which is fast creeping in and affecting mostly the Ministry of Finance and its Local Government counterpart with huge financial liabilities.
This is as the group decried failure of the state government to provide security for lives and properties of citizenry who now live at the mercy of armed bandits whose activities have claimed hundreds of lives and others with permanent injuries.
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) frowned at how armed bandits traverse long stretch of state hinterlands, which they described as one ugly trend deserving government’s attention by deploying security agencies to check brazen effrontery and modus operandi of the criminals with a view to ending their siege.
This was contained in the May Day speech to Mark the ocassion of the 2021 International Workers’ Day, delivered by the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Yakubu Garba.
“Your Excellency sir, the rainy season is here again, it is our prayer that all relevant stakeholders should be rallied to ensure that our teeming farmers have access to their farms to engage in farming activities unhindered by armed bandits and kidnappers.
“Most of the victims in; Munya, Shiroro, Rafi and Mariga are farmers and failure to check activities of armed bandits could cause severe hunger and poverty, hence. Organised labour hereby condemns in strong terms the gusto style attacks on innocent citizens.
“May we remind the government that, its primary responsibility as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as ammended), is the security and welfare of citizens. A society without security wouldn’t have any semblance of development and progress” he said.
Garba who pointed out the fact that many Nigerlites in the rural communities cannot sleep with their two eyes closed out of fears of the unknown due to the activities of armed bandits,  expected the state government to act fast to ease further tension.
Garba also wants the state government to as a matter of urgency deploy enough security forces to the troubled areas and support them with adequate logistics to boost their operational capabilities to enable the villagers return to their homes and farmlands.
On workers welfare, he said, “May I draw your attention to some salient issues bothering on unhealthy anti-workers’ policy which started from November, 2020 till date and has left two ministries with huge liabilities due to non-remittance of deductions made from workers salaries from 2020 to 2021”.
Governor Abubarkar Sani Bello, who spoke through the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed Matane commended workers for the cordial working relationship that has existed between it and civil servants.
Minimum Wage
Kwara begs more time on minimum wage
Mumini Abdulkareem, Ilorin 
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has sought for more time from workers towards its implementation of the new minimum wage.
Abdulrazaq who was represented by the Head of Service, Mrs Modupe Oluwole at the May Day event in Ilorin, said,
“I understand the position of Labour particularly regarding the Minimum Wage. I assure you all that we certainly do not overlook these issues and we are considering all positive options to further make our workers happy. I call for your understanding and support for us to get through this hard time,” he said.
Describing the labour as integral component of successive government and a determining factor in attainment of good governance, AbdulRazaq commended them for adding value and for being committed to the growth of kwara.
“(This year’s May Day) is coming at a time when the whole world is experiencing serious economic crisis and the biting effect of COVID-19 pandemic.
“We concede that things have been tough as the world gradually recovers from COVID-19 and resources continue to dwindle but we are upbeat that the future looks bright as we recommit ourselves to workers’ welfare side by side with the rest of the population, especially the vulnerable and the poor, and infrastructural development to widen our economic base.”
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State

Bayelsa allocates 1000 plots of land for housing scheme for civil servants 

Bassey Willie, Yenagoa
Bayelsa state government says it has allocated 1000 plots of land for the construction of low cost housing scheme for civil servants in the state.
Governor Douye Diri who announced this on Saturday during the 2021 Workers Day celebration held at the Peace Park, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital also directed the Commissioner for Finance and the Head of Service to work out modalities for immediate implementation of the annual salary increment for workers.
“I urge workers in Bayelsa to remain resilient, hopeful and focused as we upscale our determination and resolve to build the state we all want. So much lies ahead that should make us optimistic rather than pessimistic,” he said.
“The wealth of the state is, after all, inextricably tied to the health of our workers. That is why this government of inclusive prosperity would continue to rank the welfare and happiness of workers at the zenith of its policies and programmes.
“This policy thrust is exemplified in such initiatives of my government as the allocation of 1,000 plots of land to civil servants to enable them to own their houses. We have implemented the N30,000 minimum wage, sustained the prompt payment of salaries while not neglecting pensions and gratuities.
“The state government supplements the wages of local government staff to the tune of nearly N250 million monthly. This is a heavy toll on our already severely over-stretched resources. But we view it as a sacrosanct duty to our cherished workers.” He said.
Delivering a joint address of both unions in the state, Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Bayelsa State, Comrade Bipre John Ndiomu, appreciated Governor Diri for prompt payment of salaries and gratuity since his emergence as governor in February 2020.
Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu marching majestically to deliver his May day rally speech at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, venue for the 2021 May rally in Lagos. May 1, 2021. Photo: Benedict Uwalaka.

Labour asks Govt support for private sector, end to insecurity

Christiana T. Alabi, Lagos

In commemoration of 2021 May Day Celebration, the Organised Labour in Lagos State, the Trade Union Congress and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) have called on government to support the private sector in view of the devastating impact of COVID-19 pandemic on all critical sectors including manufacturing, hospitality and aviation among others.

The State Chairmen of TUC and NLC,  Gbenga Ekundayo and Comrade Agnes Funmi Sessi who spoke at the May Day celebration and parade at Onikan Stadium in Lagos stressed the need for release of a bailout fund to salvage the situation.

The duo stressed that government must support the private sector to help the economy grow and to enable the sectors keep more people in their jobs. Also, they reiterated that government must as a matter of urgency reduce the financial pressure on companies and individuals to enable them to continue to remain in production.

This according to them could be done via tax rebate, reduction of Personal Income Tax and electricity tariffs so that consumers would have more money to stimulate the economy.

The Organised Labour decried the rate of insecurity in Nigeria, saying the country is heading into the precipice as a result of the heightened insecurity situation. They lamented that lives are being lost on a daily basis to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and robbery among others.

We can’t pay leave grant, gratuities, Bagudu tells NLC

Atiku Bagudu
Kebbi State governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu

Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi has said his administration would not be able to pay the 2020 leave grant of workers and outstanding gratuities.

“NLC are aware of the burden of gratuities the government inherited and how far we have gone in trying to clear the debts.

“In spite of the dwindling resources, the state government still pays salaries, runs the government and puts in some infrastructure in the state.

“The union should liaise with the Ministry of Finance for a way out.

“On the 2020 leave grants, the state cannot afford to pay but you should meet with Secretary to the State Government and Head of Service to fine tune on how best the workers will be assisted,” he said.

The governor congratulated the workers and urged Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s economic diversification programme in order to move the country to a greater height.

Earlier, Umar Halidu-Alhassan, the state Chairman of NLC called on the governor to settle the gratuities of retirees and pay workers their 2020 leave grant.

“We are calling on Gov. Atiku Bagudu to fast-track payment of gratuities to our retirees, and 2020 leave grants to state, local governments and local government education authority workers in the state,” he said.

Halidu-Alhassan also called on the state government to ensure the state Contributory Health Insurance Scheme was made functional.

The NLC chairman used the occasion to condole the state government over the killing of police officers, local vigilante and civilians by bandits in Sakaba Local Government Area of the state.(NAN).

Oyetola tasks workers on productivity

Hameed Oyegbade, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola has urged the workers in the state to be more productive and committed to their duties as they marked this year Worker’s Day.

The Workers’ Day celebration organised by labour movement in the State was held at the Osogbo City Stadium and attended by various labours unions in the state.

Addressing the workers, Oyetola, said his administration was unapologetically people-and-worker-centred hence the uncommon commitment and dedication of government to good governance.

The Governor who attributed the unprecedented transformation recorded by the State, since its creation 30 years ago, to the unquantifiable role played by the state workforce, said it was incumbent on his government to always celebrate the quality of the workers that the State was blessed with.

He charged them to reciprocate the government’s gestures by ensuring increased productivity and efficient service delivery, as part of efforts for the government to generate more IGR to make the state financially sufficient,.

“It is only when our IGR increases that the government will be able to carry out its statutory function of regular payment of workers’ salaries and other emoluments in the face of dwindling monthly allocations from the federation account to states,” he noted.

According to him, since inception, his government has been conscientiously and consistently engaging the needy and vulnerable citizens in small scale businesses as part of efforts to make them productive and self-dependent.

All this is a deliberate strategy to make the good life embedded in our Development Agenda go round as we are unrelenting in driving our Development Agenda to sustainably achieve our economic transformation vision for a prosperous Osun.

“Recall that I mentioned in the 2019 speech to you that we are conscientious in our efforts to make Osun economically independent. This decision is on course, the COVID-19 lockdown and other impediments notwithstanding.

“We are reviving our economic landscape through the diversification of our economy in the areas of our strength such as agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. We thank all our workers who are our right arms in these areas for their relentless cooperation, innovation and creativity,” Oyetola added.

The Chairman of the State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Comrade Jacob Babatunde Adekomi, attributed the successes recorded by the labour movement to the unalloyed support given by the state government in the last two and half years of the present administration.

According to him, Oyetola deserves to be commended in view of his uncommon leadership traits that he has exhibited to turn around the fortunes of the State.

“Though the economy of the world and indeed that of Osun state is in critical state, yet the father in you had given the workers in the state the new minimum wage since November, 2020 while some other states who are economically solvent/bouyant than Osun state have not implemented the minimum wage and some who had earlier approved are now reverting to the old minimum wage of eighteen thousand naira.

“It is also to the credit of this peaceful administration that some staff members of the Osun State owned tertiary institutions earlier relieved of their jobs by the immediate past administration were reinstated, while some members of staff of Osun State University Teaching Hospital were equally upgraded.

“The restoration of Annual Salary Increment is a project that has put smile on the faces of workers in the State just as your administration equally gave financial implication to one of the multiple promotions earlier enjoyed, with the strong believe that as a man of his word, you will give financial backing to other promotions earlier earned as contained in the agreement entered into with the movement.

“Mr Governor, you have never as a father given us serpent instead of fish neither have you extended to us stone instead of bread. We shall continue to appreciate you on the monthly subventions and release of funds by your administration to the payments of Contributory Pension Scheme and Outstanding Gratitude,” Adekomi added.

He thereafter promised the workers’ unalloyed support to the Governor and his government in order to ensure the sustainability of the ongoing developmental projects, saying “you can count on the resolve of the entire workforce to improve upon the Internally Generated Revenue of the State by reinvigorating our dedication to duties and plug leakages whenever discovered.”

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