Monday, 7 May 2012
Friday, 4 May 2012
PRESS STATEMENT - ASSASSINS OF COMRADE OYERINDE MUST FACE JUSTICE
4th May, 2012
Nigeria workers were shocked beyond words by the tragic assassination this morning of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, Deputy General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Comrade Oyerinde who is on leave of absence serving in Edo State as the Principal Private Secretary to the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was shot at point blank by assassins who ascertained his identity before shooting him.
His gruesome assassination is baffling as Comrade Oyerinde was not a politician, held no high government appointment such as commissioner and was not even an indigene of Edo State. The only explanation is that his assassination is an attempt to emotionally and psychologically weaken the Comrade Governor in his quest for re-election.
The political situation in Edo State, the statements of do-or-die politics point to a strategy to intimidate, assassinate and create a siege mentality in a desperate attempt to take over political power.
It is also noteworthy that this assassination is coming so soon in the wake of a suspicious traffic accident involving Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s convoy in which three journalists lost their lives, and an assassination attempt on the State Information Commissioner, Mr Louis Odion.
Also recently, the new offices of the AIT in Benin were attacked and its equipment carted away.
The way the politics of Edo State is going is reminiscent of the First Republic politics in the old Western Region which led to tragic consequences for the entire country. The NLC therefore calls on the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to arrest the criminals in Edo State and their pay masters. In any electoral contest such as that slated for Edo State, the electorate must be allowed to determine its outcome. Otherwise, the struggle for democracy will be lost and the country will descend into a state of anarchy. The NLC therefore calls on the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate Comrade Oyerinde’s assassination and bring the criminals to justice.
Congress also advices the Police and security agencies to first investigate matters and let facts guide their conclusion before rushing to make claims that particular political assassinations are robbery incidents.
Our condolences go to our departed Comrade’s family, the Governor and people of Edo State and the working people of our country whom Comrade Oyerinde had served with exemplary dedication. The Nigerian people will never be intimidated!
Abdulwahed I. Omar
President, NLC
President, NLC
Monday, 30 April 2012
SUBSIDY PROBE: CULPRITS SHOULD BE PROSECUTED
SUBSIDY PROBE: CULPRITS SHOULD BE PROSECUTED
The Report of the House of Representatives ad hoc Committee on fuel subsidy which revealed the criminal looting of the nation's resources is a vindication of the Nigerian peoples protest on the issue.
The people had for eight days beginning January 9, 2012 gone on strike, held mass rallies and street protests against Government's mindless increase in the price of fuel, its decision to remove fuel subsidy and the sleaze in the oil industry.
The Report also vindicates the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) position stated on December 20, 2011 before President Goodluck Jonathan. The NLC had at that meeting in the Presidential Villa made allegations of fraud in the subsidy regime and the manipulation of figures in a presentation mader by the Minister of Finance.
In response, the President had asked the NLC to come up with its facts at the next meeting which was fixed for the new year, but that meeting never held.
For the NLC, the Report is a mere tip of the iceberg; there is the need for further investigations. For instance, the recommendation that the Executive Secretaries of the PPPRA from 2009 to date be probed, does not go far enough. There is the need to probe the oil industry from the inception of civil rule after the rapacious military regimes had departed.
Some of the findings of the House Report show clear indication of criminality; therefore it is not enough for private and public organisations like the NNPC and PPPRA to be asked to make refunds. The Government has a duty to bring the officers of such organizations and their supervisors to justice.
We also hold that the Ministers in the Finance and Petroleum Ministries and their lieutenants under whose watch the NNPC made unconstitutional deductions from the country's oil income before dumping the balance in the Federation account, should be investigated for culpability.
The massive looting of the subsidy funds and the corruption in the oil industry are sufficient grounds for the N97 per litre cost of PMS (petrol) to be drastically reduced. The NLC holds that if the government plucks up courage to do local refining, the cost of PMS need not be as high as the old price of N65 per litre.
The NLC commends the House of Representatives and its ad hoc Committee for carrying out the probe and mustering the courage to make the Report public. We also, commend the House leadership for its decision to televise live, the debates on the Report.
We are aware of claims that the Committee Report has been "doctored". It is incumbent on those making such claims to make public the "Original" Report.
The NLC calls on the Presidency and the National Assembly to ensure that the findings of the Report are speedily followed up and implemented. The country cannot continue to be bled by unscrupulous people.
Owei Lakemfa
Acting General Secretary
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NIGERIAN WORKERS SET FOR 2012 MAY DAY
MAY 1ST IS WORKERS DAY !
TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS MAY DAY COMMITTEE COMRADE EMMA AJOKU, HELD ON APRIL 26, 2012, AT LABOUR HOUSE, ABUJA
Dear Comrades of the Press,
We welcome you to this press conference which is focused on informing workers and the Nigerian people about preparations of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to mark the Workers Day on May 1, 2012.
As you are aware, workers all over the world will be marking the May Day. Nigerian workers under the umbrella of NLC and TUC will also commemorate this day in all the states of the country. At the different state councils of the NLC and TUC workers will on that day hold rallies, and they will be joined by allies of labour in the civil society.
At the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, the day will be marked at the Eagle Square from 9.00am on Tuesday 1st of May 2012. The occasion will be addressed by the Presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar and the Trade Union Congress Comrade Peter Esele. The traditional May Day procession and speeches from the Labour Movement and government functionaries as well as fraternal mass organizations will be part of the occasion.
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, is expected to be the Chief Guest of Honour. The Senate President, David Mark, Speaker of the House Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, the Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed as well as friends of labour in the National Assembly, government, the diplomatic corps, other organisations in civil society are expected to be guests of the Labour Movement during this occasion.
The occasion of the May Day will be used to highlight the various struggles of the Nigerian workers. This will include the struggle for the National Minimum wage and the removal of the so called subsidy on petroleum products. Of course we cannot but mention the general social and economic challenges of the Nigerian workers and their families as the most vulnerable victims of the state obnoxious policies reflected in worsening social and economic crisis aided by wanton corruption with resultant insecurity in the country.
Thus, the theme of this year’s May Day; Right to Work, Food and Education: Panacea to Insecurity; will dwell on the nexus between employment, food, education and security. Hence this year’s May Day will address some of the issues on policy thrust to mitigate the prevailing national scourge.
On Monday April 30, 2012, the Labour Movement will hold a symposium on the theme: Right to work, Food & Education: Panacea to Insecurity. Key paper presentations will be made by the Honourable Minister of Agriculture; Dr. Akinwunmi Ayo Adesina and Professor Justice Onu of the University of Maiduguri. Comrades Hassan Sunmonu, Peace Obiajulu, former Presidents of NLC and TUC, Senator Uche Chukwumerijie are also expected to make presentations on this theme. Among the special guests to the symposium are; the Comrade Governor of Edo State, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, Comrades Pascal Bafyau, Ali Chiroma, who are past Presidents of the NLC, veterans and friends of labour.
This year’s May Day is particularly significant for so many reasons. The most important being that this year, precisely on August 19, 2012, we shall be marking the centenary of trade unionism in Nigeria. As we do this we shall be reflecting on the significant role that labour has played in the process of Nigeria’s development including the triumphs, the challenges and the travails during this 100 years journey.
The contributions of the labour movement within this period of Nigeria’s history have impacted so much on the social, political and economic life of the nation. The occasion of this May Day will therefore be used to kick start the process of this centenary commemoration. We shall critically assess the contributions of labour and the challenges of the working class especially within the context of deepening crises and contradictions of a neo-liberal global ideology, and of course, the way forward.
We therefore call on all workers and their families, professionals, women groups, youth and informal sector workers to join us in marking this historic day in the life of workers in Nigeria, and indeed the world over.
Let us stand up and be part of history!
Let us align with the forces of struggle for justice in Nigeria!!
Let us unite to salvage our country from the grips of a cabal!!!
It is possible to have another Nigeria where socio-economic justice is the bedrock of our democracy!!!!
THANK YOU
Chairperson
May Day Committee
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
PRESS CONFERENCE ORGANISED AND ADDRESSED BY THE NATIONAL UNION OF FOOD, BEVERAGE AND TOBACCO EMPLOYEES ON THE LOCK OUT OF OUR MEMBERS IN DANGOTE PASTA PLANT, IKORODU, LAGOS.
Gentlemen
of the Press,
Distinguished
Ladies and Gentlemen.
The
history of Workers struggle in Dangote Pasta Plant, Ikorodu to get themselves
liberated and freed from the shackles of oppression and depression of
management could easily be traced back to year 2004 when workers decided on
their own to get unionized in consonant with convention 87 Articles of International
Labour Organization (ILO Freedom of Association & protection of rights) and
equally supported by Section 40 of Nigeria Constitution.
The
decision of workers materialized and Branch Union leaders emerged through a
popular and a democratic means in 2004.
Surprisingly,
a day to the inauguration and introduction of Branch Officers, Dangote
management went ahead to terminate the employment of the Seven (7) Officers from
the Company.
The
Union , however, initiated many legal processes
and procedures towards resolving this matter but the management of Dangote
remain
recalcitrant which made both parties (NUFBTE & DANGOTE PASTA PLANT) to
resort to legal tussle from 2005-2010 when National Industrial Court (NIC) finally
ruled in favour of our Union That;-
ü All the affected Officers should be
reinstated and
ü
All their entitlements
be paid from 2004 to December 2009.
ü Unionization of the workers shall be
given the utmost priority without further delay to be supervised by both
parties to ensure success.
For
clarity purposes, the management agreed to pay all outstanding benefits as
stipulated by the NIC to the affected Branch Union Officers but refused to
reinstate them rather went to Court of Law, filed an appeal and stay of
execution. After series of hearings the
motion moved by the management was struck out for lack of jurisdiction on the 15th October 2009 .
At
this juncture, when management still failed to implement the NIC ruling, the Union went straight to file a committal suit against the
management of Dangote for contempt of Court which later led to motion and counter
motion.
The
Union therefore viewed this endless legal
battle with the management in the interest of our members, it was resolved by
both parties and their lawyers to finally settle out of court because it
seemed
Dangote was not ready to implement to the letter, (the NIC ruling) and only
took joy in prolonging the sufferings of the poor workers.
By
May 11th 2010
both parties (Union & Management) and their lawyers, fully represented, in
a jointly agreed meeting and fashioned out terms of settlement.
To
our Union chagrin surprise, after the inauguration and introduction of Branch
Union Officers to the Management of Dangote in accordance with the agreed terms
of settling out of court, on the 11th August, 2010, a militia group
(thugs) hibernated in the factory, initiated and empowered by the management of
the company launched an attack on our members asking them to renounce their
union membership including the Union Executive, beat them mercilessly, torn
their cloths and put them in a hot container and when management realized that
these workers were determined and could not be convinced about 250 workers were
all locked out and eventually terminated.
Having
understood the gimmick and game played by the management, the Union
still went ahead to follow lay down
procedures
to whittle down the tension by initiating several fora to resolve the issue
because of the fact that we are mindful of fragile
Economic
situation but all these were not appreciated rather, thwarted by the
management.
It
may also interest you to note that at a point Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) was
brought in to the matter where a meeting was held on 6th October
2011 at the instance of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) with all parties present
and adjourned for further consultation with both parties principals, but as we
are talking today, Dangote Management has been avoiding further meeting with
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on the issue.
As
at the point of this Press Conference, the affected workers are being owed
Salaries for Twenty (20) months after they have been brutalized and
psychologically tortured. Police force
and other Security agents were also used to intimidate and harass these workers
to force them to accept the separation severally to no avail.
For
the fact that we are not unmindful of the expected action to take, but as a
responsible Trade Union Organization we have chosen to exhaust all available
legal means that have failed.
Consequent
upon aforementioned predicaments, our Union have come to realize that Dangote
Group do not want Union of
Workers
in all his Companies especially in the Food Industries.
Worse
still, there is a particular Human Resources Manager (HRM) named Idris Alli who
have been claiming that Alhaji Aliko Dangote would use all his influence to
either pervert or completely suppress
any
judgments or ruling against the Company wishes at the detriment of toiling
workers of the company.
National
Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) therefore wish to ask,
if Dangote Company can terminate 250 Workers at a go for obeying the statutory
law of the Country and such Company President (Alhaji Aliko Dangote) is made
the Chairman of Employment generation committee for the Country when his
company is adding more to already saturated unemployment market. The answer is better known by individual than
being expressed. It is sure that such
Committee is there to protect the interest of capitalist Employers and not
really for down-trodden Nigerians and the nation development.
It
is on this premise that the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco
Employees (NUFBTE) is now appealing to all well meaning Nigerians, Organizations
etc to prevail on the Management of Dangote Pasta to recall & reinstate all
the affected members of
our
Union , who have suffered untold hardship back
to the company within the next Twenty-One (21) days from this Conference, and
failure to comply may surely necessitate for further action from the Union .
By
this forum, our Union is also informing all
the relevant
Government
agencies and all security agents to equally advise the Company to tow the path
of good conscience and be law abiding. Better late than never.
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