Our expectations from incoming Labour minister — Labour leaders

Published

1 year ago

August 21, 2023

Two labour leaders on Sunday said the incoming Minister of Labour needed to empathise with workers, especially at a critical time when the economy is faced with challenges affecting them.

The leaders spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s swearing-in of the new ministers on Monday.

The Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos Chapter, Mrs Funmi Sessi, expressed optimism in Mr Simon Lalong, assigned the portfolio of the Minister of Labour and Employment, to do well, given his experience.

Sessi said Lalong should use the experience he had garnered as a former governor of Plateau State to also deal with the issues of labour.

“The future is bright with labour and Lalong as the minister, all things being equal, if he will not change, and with the good industrial relationship that he maintained with the labour unions in his state.

“I hope he will extend it to the labour centres in Nigeria, including Nigeria Labour Congress, all workers, not only in the public sector, but private as well; both formal and informal.

”This is necessary so that we can have the working people in Nigeria partake in the same wealth that they create; it will be a commonwealth, and that is our hope,“ she said.

The labour leader said that the sector would need a minister with compassion, and experience; one who is humane.

Sessi said, “Someone that will give all to ensure that he will create more ground for employment, productivity, high yield of productivity.”

Also, the Secretary, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Lagos State Council, Mr Aladetan Abiodun, said the new Minister for Labour would be facing an inherited tense industrial space due to the fuel subsidy removal.

According to him, the removal has impacted negatively on all fixed-income earners.

“I strongly believe that if this issue is not properly managed, it may snowball into a full-scale industrial crisis.

“It is precisely this reason that we want a minister who will hit the ground running.

“Also, we want the issue of the new minimum wage to be quickly settled; this is another area where we are going to need quick intervention.

“Furthermore, we hope under this new administration, the Ministry of Labour will wake up to some of its statutory responsibilities in the area of labour inspections.

“This includes bringing employers of labour who often breach their contract of agreement with employees to order, as well as ensuring that the laws of our land are respected, particularly by foreign companies who usually show utter disrespect to our labour laws, “ Aladetan said.

News

ITUC-Africa Cheers UN for Dropping Saudi, Russia

Published

28 seconds ago

October 15, 2024

Tunde-Olubo Bukunmi

African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has commended the exclusion of Saudi Arabia and Russia from the United Nations Human Rights Council.

This decision, made through a vote at the UN General Assembly, marks a significant step forward for human rights, justice, and accountability, following persistent global efforts by civil society and human rights activists.

Saudi Arabia’s removal is particularly notable, given its longstanding violations of human and labour rights, especially towards African migrant workers.

These workers have faced numerous abuses under the oppressive kafala system, including forced labour, passport confiscation, withheld wages, denial of trade union rights, and excessively long working hours without fair compensation.

In addition to these labour violations, many African migrants in Saudi Arabia experience arbitrary detention, deportation, and even death in questionable circumstances.

Without access to justice, they remain vulnerable to systemic abuse.

ITUC-Africa has long condemned these practices, calling them blatant violations of fundamental human and workers’ rights.

“The decision to exclude Saudi Arabia from the UN Human Rights Council sends a strong message that nations involved in such severe violations cannot expect to hold positions of influence in global human rights institutions,” the union said.

The exclusion of Russia also emphasizes this point. ITUC-Africa highlighted Russia’s human rights abuses, including the repression of civil society, media control, and involvement in conflicts that lead to civilian casualties.

The targeting of trade unionists and human rights defenders in Russia adds to the severity of its actions, making the UN’s decision justified.

ITUC-Africa sees this outcome as a win for coordinated civil society efforts, including the global trade union movement.

“The exclusion of both Saudi Arabia and Russia from the UN Human Rights Council is a clear triumph for multilateralism, the rule of law, and those who tirelessly defend human and labour rights across the world,” the organisation noted.

Looking ahead, ITUC-Africa expressed its commitment to continue advocating for African migrant workers’ rights.

“We are resolutely committed to ensuring that Saudi Arabia reforms its labour laws and practices to provide genuine protection for all migrant workers, especially those from Africa,” the organisation stressed, reaffirming its dedication to protecting the dignity and rights of African workers globally.

ITUC-Africa also pledged to intensify its campaigns for labour reform in Saudi Arabia and beyond. “We will take our campaign to all spaces and processes at every level to ensure that the voices of African workers are heard and their rights are upheld,” it added.

The union concluded by emphasizing the growing reputational risks for countries that ignore human rights violations.

ITUC-Africa urged for continued global pressure on countries with poor human rights records to drive meaningful change and expressed solidarity with all human rights defenders and labour activists who fight for the dignity and rights of workers worldwide.

“We stand with all those who, through their efforts, bring us closer to a world where the rights of all workers are respected and upheld.”

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Business

NNPC Strikes Deal: Petrol Now N995/Litre for IPMAN

Published

7 mins ago

October 15, 2024

Tunde-Olubo Bukunmi

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has reached an agreement to supply petrol to the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) at a price of N995 per litre.

This deal comes after mediation by the Department of State Services (DSS), which helped resolve the standoff between the two parties.

As part of the agreement, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) is set to pay IPMAN an outstanding N10 billion.

The negotiations also cover issues around sourcing fuel from the Dangote Refinery.

Hammed Fashola, the National Vice President of IPMAN, praised the DSS for its role in resolving the dispute, noting that the price difference in fuel— a major factor causing long queues at filling stations— is expected to narrow.

Currently, independent marketers are selling petrol for around N1,200 per litre, but with the new N995 per litre ex-depot price, retail prices may drop.

However, additional factors such as transportation costs could still influence final prices at the pump.

IPMAN is also negotiating with the Dangote Refinery to secure more direct purchasing options, while maintaining its relationship with NNPC to ensure favorable pricing for its members.

Previously, IPMAN raised concerns that NNPC was selling petrol bought from the Dangote Refinery at N898 per litre, but independent marketers were being charged up to N1,050 in certain areas.

Discussions are ongoing to resolve these price discrepancies, which have affected supply chains and put independent marketers at a disadvantage.

ROAMAN NEWS