MINIMUM WAGE: FG, LABOUR FINALLY REACH AGREEMENT ON CONSEQUENTIAL ADJUSTMENTS - FESTUS KEYAMO

The Federal Government and organised labour on Thursday finally agreed on the percentage increase on the consequential adjustment in workers’ salaries as a result of the new minimum wage of N30,000.

As the meeting reached an advanced stage, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, tweeted from the venue that both parties had reached an agreement, but he did not give details.

The tweet read, “After some delicate negotiations (with both ministers as conciliators), the government and labour have finally reached an agreement on the consequential adjustment of other wages following the implementation of the enhanced minimum wage of N30,000. We are working on the communiqué.”

In a statement, the President of the Trade Union Congress, Quadri, and the Secretary General, Musa-Lawal Ozigi, confirmed the peace pact, commending the Federal Government and labour for their patience while the National Minimum Wage negotiations lasted.

The statement read, “We commend the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade

Yemi-Esan, and her team for their sincerity. Though they argued that the government could not afford to meet our earlier demand of N30,000 minimum wage across board because of the economic situation in the country, we made them understand that some people could not be more Nigerian than others. If we are tightening our belts, government should also do so.”

The secretary of the JNCSNC, Alade Lawal, also confirmed the figure to our correspondent through a text message after confirmation on what was agreed with the FG was sought from him.

Lawal had earlier told our correspondent that the parties had reached an agreement on the wage crisis.

He said both parties agreed on 23.2 percentage increase for workers at grade level 07; 20 per cent for those at grade level 08; 19 per cent for workers at grade level 09; 16 per cent for those on levels 10 to 14; and 14 per cent for workers at grade levels 15 to 17.

 The meeting was still going on as of the time of filing this report (12.56am) on Friday.

The agreement did not come easy as negotiations between both parties collapsed several times in the last six months.

The agreement came 182 days after President Muhammadu Buhari signed the new minimum wage into law.

After the necessary legislative processes at the National Assembly, president Buhari signed the 2019 New National Minimum Wage Bill into law on April 18, 2019.

Thursday’s meeting was slated to begin at 7pm but more than one hour after the labour team, led by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, and the government team had taken their seat, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, and Festus Keyamo (SAN) came into the conference room.

Present at the meeting were the General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress, Musa Origi; NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja; Chairman of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Simon Anchaver; Secretary of the council, Alade Lawal; the President, Nigeria Union of Civil Service, Amaechi Lawrence; and the union’s General Secretary, Issa Aremu.

On the government side were the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan; acting Chairman of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta; and the Permanent Secretary in the labour ministry, William Alo.

Ngige reminded the gathering that the future of the country must be given consideration in the negotiations.

He said if the country became broke because of personnel cost, it would suffer the consequences.

The leader of the government team, Folashade Yemi-Esan, said since Wednesday’s meeting adjourned around 2am on Thursday, members of the government team had not rested because of the enormous work given to it for an agreement to be reached at the Thursday meeting.

MINIMUM WAGE: SANWO-OLU PROMISES TO PAY ABOVE N30,000

Lagos State Governor, His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured that the state was ‘technically’ ready to pay the N30,000 minimum wage, reiterating his promise to pay above N30,000 to Lagos workers because of the special status of the state.

This assurance is coming just as he sued for continued harmonious and peaceful relationship between government and Labour Unions in the state.

Gov. Sanwo-Olu spoke when he hosted members of Lagos State Public Service Joint Negotiating Council, JNC, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC at the Lagos House, Ikeja, yesterday. He also charged the Labour leaders to key into government’s agenda on the environment, as well as partner government in sensitizing members on need to have positive attitude on environmental issues.

Chairman, Lagos State Public Service Joint Negotiating Council, Razaq Falade commended Sanwo-Olu for making the welfare of workers a priority. Falade called for prompt implementation of the minimum wage to reduce poverty among workers, saying that in two weeks time, the proposed consequential adjustments on the wage issue would be forwarded by the NJC to the Governor.

Earlier in a separate interaction, NLC Chairperson, Lagos Council, Funmi Sessi and TUC Chairman, Lagos Council, Gbenga Ekundayo, requested improved welfare package for workers which included insurance policy, Local and International Training, free social services for Senior citizens and operational buses for affiliate union members of the unions for easy mobility.

However, Gov. Sanwo-Olu promised to look into Labour’s requests for relevant Training to improve their skills, while the union leaders assured government of their support for a greater Lagos.

MINIMUM WAGE: LABOUR LEADERS MEET NGIGE, VOW TO EMBARK ON STRIKE IF DEMANDS ARE NOT MET

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Ayuba Wabba.

Labour unions have submitted their preferred percentage on the ‘consequential incremental adjustments in workers’ salaries arising from the new minimum wage of N30,000.

Leaders of the unions held a meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, in Abuja on Monday.

The meeting is a preparatory one to the Tuesday meeting after which labour will take a decision on whether to proceed on an indefinite strike or not.

It was reported that the unions had, however, already asked their branches across the country to get set for an industrial action.

The labour unions had earlier issued a communiqué, warning that economic activities would be shut on October 16.

They said they would go on strike if the federal government failed to reconvene a meeting of the committee on consequential adjustments of workers salaries based on the new minimum wage.

The unions, led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), also insisted that the government should hold a final meeting on October 15 to resolve the disagreements.

THE REAL ISSUE

Recall that the major issue delaying the full implementation of the minimum wage is the percentage salary increase for certain categories of workers.

Labour is demanding 29 per cent salary increase for officers on salary level 07 to 14 and 24 per cent adjustment for officers on salary grade level 15 to 17.

But the federal government had presented a proposal of 11 per cent salary increase for officers on grade level 07 to14 and 6.5 per cent adjustment for workers of grade level 15 to 17.

MINIMUM WAGE IMPLEMENTATION EXCITES KADUNA LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKERS

Workers of Sanga and Kaura Local Government Councils of Kaduna State on Monday expressed gratitude to the leadership of their respective councils for implementing the new minimum wage.

The workers, under the auspices of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), expressed their excitement in separate interviews with newsmen.

They said the decision to implement the new package ahead of Federal Government by the councils was a demonstration of sensitivity to the yearning and aspirations of the workers.

Mr John Mazo, the acting Chairman of NULGE in Sanga Local Government Area, described the development as heart warming, adding “the move, no doubt, will spur on the spirit of workers especially at the grassroots, towards better performance”.

“While we commend the council Chairman, Mr Charles Danladi, for the bold step taken, we also urge workers to step up efforts in their various offices to ensure that the mandate of the council is attained,” Mazo added.

Similarly, Mr Philip Joseph, the NULGE Chairman, Kaura Local Government Area, appreciated the caretaker committee of the council under the chairmanship of Bege Ayuba for being responsive to the plight of the workers through the implementation of the new salary package.

Joseph expressed optimism that workers would reciprocate the gesture by putting in their best to reposition the area for the good of all.

Also, Mrs Maimuna Dogo, a civil servant resident in Kaura, told NAN that the implementation of the new minimum wage was a morale-booster to workers and their families.

“This is a huge relief to personal and family needs that are not met due to financial constraints,” she said.

However, Malam Abubakar Yakubu, a civil servant resident in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of the state, urged government at all levels to implement the new minimum approved by President Muhammadu Buhari to cushion the harsh economic reality in the country.

“I think NLC could still engage the Federal Government after a year or two on the need for an upward review but in the meantime, we are appreciative,” he said.

WORLD FOOD DAY: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS CLOSURE OF BORDERS REMAIN

The Federal Government says it will not reverse closure of borders until neighbouring countries have shown enough commitment to check smuggling of banned commodities into Nigeria.

The Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Mohammed Umar, said this on Monday during a walk as part of activities to mark World Food Day on Oct 16.

He said the closure was also a response to farmers’ call as necessary measure to boost food production, especially rice production and other food items, saying they had pleaded that it remained so.

According to him, the farmers have attested to the fact that the development is yielding result, adding that the ministry had since the closure received many applications from people indicating interest in farming.

Umar said following the several requests the federal government would start clearing of land across the country to allocate to farmers for agricultural growth.

“I assure you this message is noted and the borders have not been opened. There are so many applications from farmers for the ministry to clear land for them for agricultural activities.

“Your request will be met because the ministry is ready to embark on land clearing between now and next year at community level, local government level and state level, that require our support.

“We will be there to open up land for agricultural activities.

“Our rice association here have been hailing Mr President and they (members) promised government that they will double their production and that there is no need for importation of rice because we have attained food sufficiency in rice production and other products.

“That is why Nigeria had to key in to this day to celebrate along with about 160 countries currently celebrated at UN in New York,” he said.

The PS said the government was ready to assist farmers to go into mechanisation, adding that government had been assisting farmers with tractors, various farm equipment and other farm inputs to boost production of food in Nigeria.

He said the sensitisation work which was part of activities to mark the World Food Day was to reiterate the importance of food to humanity.

He commended the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for its support to help reposition agriculture in the country.

The permanent secretary further commended efforts of farmer associations from different states to support the event.

He said “the food day is one of the most celebrated days around the globe. About 160 countries are currently celebrating this day and Nigeria cannot be an exception.

“Agriculture is one of the cardinal objective of this administration to achieve zero hunger in Nigeria.

“This day is the day we must all appreciate because we have heard from the farmers associations, groups and our developmental partners who have been here with us since morning.

“All they are telling me is Nigeria has taken a very brave step by closing Nigeria’s border because they do not want importation of food and that they are ready to produce all Nigeria requires in terms of food and raw materials in terms of agribusiness.”

Mr Suffyan Koroma, FAO Representative in Nigeria, said the focus of the 2019 world food day was on ensuring that people ate healthy.

According to him, it is time to reflect on “what we eat, how we eat it and where we get it from”.

He said World Food Day, celebrated on Oct. 16 each year, was one of the widest UN celebrations because it is celebrated in more than 150 countries.

“It is a day to come together to celebrate the founding of Food and Agriculture Organisation and to reaffirm our commitment to zero hunger.

“This year’s theme for World Food Day, is “Our Actions are our Future. Healthy Diets for A #ZeroHunger.”

“So, it is a day for us to reflect not only on what we eat, how we eat it and where we get it from.”

Koroma assured of the organisation’s continued commitment to improved agriculture in Nigeria.

Mr Manir Umar, President, Association of Nigeria Agricultural Entrepreneurs, commended the federal government for empowering the youth through the ministry of agriculture.

He said the ministry had empowered them through training, provision of start up funds and technical support to go into agriculture, saying agribusinesses set up by participants of the initiatives had grown over time.

He said, “today I can confidently tell you that this association has empowered other young Nigerians just the way we were empowered by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

“We formed an association and we have businesses we are running together. We have dairy programme that we are running in Jere, Kaduna State.

“We were supported by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture with milk processing equipment and we are collecting milk right now and we are processing it and selling it.

“We also have tractors that we benefitted from the federal ministry of agriculture we are also using to support other Nigerian farmers with our farm implement and mechanisation services, “he said.

He urged the ministry to sustain the youth programme in view of its impact on the youth.

FG BANS IMPORT, EXPORT OF ALL GOODS AT LAND BORDERS

The federal Government has announced a total ban on the import and export of goods at the land borders nationwide in the ongoing joint border operation, tagged: “Exercise Swift Response”. The Daily Trust reports that the operation began on August 20, 2019, involving Customs and immigration with support from Army and other security agencies.

The joint border security is being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and covers the four geopolitical zones, including South-south, Southwest, North-central and the North-west. Briefing newsmen in Abuja on Monday, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) said: “The issue of movement of goods is not the same thing with movement of persons. “Let’s understand that all perishable items are on prohibition whether on export or import.

Therefore, nobody can carry tomato to the border to import or export. So it makes it easier for us to close and ensure that all goods for now are banned from being exported or imported through our land borders. “That is to ensure that we have total control over what comes in and what we do. We are strategizing on how best the goods can be handled when we get to when this operation will relax,” he noted. Ali however, advised local dealers, who want to export or to import items, to use the seaports is the only access at present.

On when the operations, which is nearly two months will end, Ali said, “It is as long as it will take our neighbours to come to the table and agree to execute exactly what was agreed upon during former Olusegun Obasanjo’s time which is simple adherence to ECOWAS transit procedure. That has not happened.” In a response on how the operation is impinging on the fundamental rights of persons to movement, the Customs boss said, “When it comes to security, all other laws take a backseat. Nigeria must survive first then we can begin to consider your rights.”

AISHA BUHARI’S RETURN TO NIGERIA ENDS FAKE NEWS

The Enugu State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has welcomed the return of First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, back to the country, saying her return has put an end to fake news.

Mrs. Buhari has been away from the country for two months until she returned to the country at the weekend.

Prior to her return, the social media were agog with news of a plan by President Muhammadu Buhari to marry his Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Hajiyya Saddiya Farouk, but the Presidency, however, denied any plans by the President to marry the Minister.

Addressing journalists on Sunday, the Enugu State Publicity Secretary of APC, Mrs. Kate Ofor, welcomed the return of Mrs Aisha Buhari back to Nigeria, saying her return has put full stop to fake news.

Ofor said she believed a legitimate means should be used to stop fake news and make people realise that the social media has no gatekeeper.

“I wholeheartedly welcome our dear First Lady back to the country, for her elegant return has put full stop to fake news, which dominated our public domain. I think we have to, not only find legitimate means to curb fake news, but also to come to terms that social media has no gatekeeper. Therefore, we must cultivate the culture of sieving the genuine from the fake news,” she said.

On why the citizens should not believe any news, Ofor quipped, “Is it rational for people to jump into conclusions when Mr, President has not circulated any wedding invitation? Why should they drag the name of innocent Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Farouk into the mud?

“Can you imagine that even when President Buhari safely returned from medical vacation, which many adjudged a rare miracle, some fake news purveyors still went to town that he wasn’t cloned? It is my considered opinion that we must discern the genuine from fake news, especially the mainstream media,” she said.

Ofor Mrs. Buhari to utilise her membership of the United Kingdom Vocational Training and Charitable Trust and the International Health and Beauty Council to continue her Future Assured humane programme of improving the prosperity of women and youths.