NAN Archive

Loading

NAN Archive

Tag Dialogue

Metro

Employers Council urges labour to shelve proposed strike, embrace dialogue

Employers Council urges labour to shelve proposed strike, embrace dialogue

Dialogue
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, Oct. 10, 2019 (NAN) The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), has called on Organised Labour to shelve the proposed Oct. 16 national strike over the Consequential Adjustment of the National Minimum Wage and exhaust all mechanisms of social dialogue.

NECA Director General, Mr Timothy Olawale, made the call while leading its members on a courtesy call on the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige and the Minister of State, Festus Keyamo (SAN).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that on Oct. 7, labour leaders issued a communiqué, warning that economic activities would be shut down on Oct. 16, if the Federal Government failed to reconvene a meeting of the committee on consequential adjustments.

Olawale further advised Labour to allow the National Industrial Court to adjudicate, if the tripartite dialogue failed.

“If dialogue or negotiation fails irretrievably, though it is an unlikely event but let’s even assume we get to that point, downing tools is not the next course of action.

“In the worst scenario, because you think the Ministry is a party to the disagreement and it can’t subject you to mediation (because you can’t be judge in your own case) and you don’t have faith in Industrial Arbitration Panel because it is still supervised by the Ministry.

“As a matter of fact, it is the Minister that will refer it to IAP, approach the National Industrial Court then to adjudicate on the matter.

“Whatever the outcome is, all parties have to abide by it. It is a veritable way out instead of embarking on industrial action.

“We have to get to a stage in our development where we have to test our process.

“Where we don’t just have laws on the pages of newspapers but rather, allow it to be a process to guide our actions and the way we do things.

“I hope this matter is resolved and does not lead to industrial action on Oct. 17,” he said.

Addressing the delegation, the Minister traced the present impasse over the Consequential Adjustment of the National Minimum Wage for Grade Levels 7 to 17 to a wrong interpretation of the increase by the Organised Labour as meaning a total national wage review.

“Consequential Adjustment of the Minimum Wage is the main issue. It is not synonymous with total wage review.

“It is an adjustment you do consequentially; moving the last man at the last rung of ladder to N30,000 and by so doing, impinging on other salary Grade Levels, therefore, must consequentially move them up too.

“But the consequential movement up doesn’t mean you do a percentage of the former minimum wage to the present minimum wage, which is 67 per cent.

“The issue is that they mistakenly lumped the two things together – the issue of consequential movement upstairs and the issue of total wage review,” Ngige said.

The minister further revealed that the Federal Government’s personnel cost had risen astronomically from N1.88 trillion to N3.08 trillion between 2016 to date.

He added that it was in anticipation of adverse consequences of these that President Muhammadu Buhari recently set up, a five-man Presidential Committee on Salaries and Wages to “evaluate all the earnings in the public service”.

This, Ngige said, was to make sure that quantum of work vis-a-vis quantum of money were synchronised in such a way that productivity would also come into play.

“We have instances of people who have the same degree, some have First Class Honours, Second Class Honours (Upper Division) but you have another person who has a Third Class.

“The one with Third Class finds himself in public establishment where he is earning X-amount and another person with Second Class Upper is in the core civil service and earns X/3, which is one third of X. it doesn’t make sense.

“So, that is the essence of that particular Presidential Committee and we have been given the mandate to finish our work by Dec. 9, 2019.”

While commending NECA for the patriotic role it played during the negotiations for the Minimum Wage, Ngige solicited its assistance towards its faithful implementation in the private sector.

The minister noted that the sector had over the years been on self-adjustment towards the N30,000 base earning for workers through its Collective Bargaining Agreement policy.

It, however, charged NECA to intensify efforts in re-invigorating professional unions of employers, who have been passive, so as to in turn enable workers unions in such establishments be active enough to benefit the values of unionism.

He added that labour inspectors from the Inspectorate Division of the Ministry, would as from year 2020 be actively engaged in inspection of factories and industries to ensure compliance to the National Minimum Wage, occupational safety as well as enforce expatriate quota and stop capital flight.

He further promised that the National Labour Advisory Council, whose inauguration had suffered setback as a result of budgetary constraints, would be held before the end of the year.(NAN)
TAK/AMM/AFA
Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Felix Ajide
=====================

Foreign

Merkel says Hong Kong rights must be respected, urges dialogue 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Rights

Berlin, Aug. 14, 2019 (dpa/NAN) German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that Hong Kong’s rights and rule of law must be respected as she urged both sides to avoid escalation and pursue dialogue after weeks of anti-government protests and police clashes.

Merkel said this on Wednesday after a meeting in Berlin with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda.

“Everything must be done to avoid violence and to find options for a solution through dialogue,” Merkel added.

She said that the German government was working to encourage dialogue, “but on the basis of the laws in force in Hong Kong” that would ensure freedom of opinion and the rule of law.

She added that the rights of the citizens of Hong Kong, which were guaranteed on the return of the former British colony to China in 1997, should not be put in doubt.

Hong Kong is part of China but governed under the principle of “one country, two systems” in terms of the handover agreement.

China on Wednesday sharply escalated its rhetoric against the protests, fuelling some fears that a military intervention could be used to quell weeks of unrest in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.

Beijing’s liaison office to Hong Kong called the actions of protesters “no different from the atrocities of terrorists” after an undercover police officer and reporter from a Chinese state news outlet were allegedly assaulted by some demonstrators Tuesday night.

A German government spokesperson earlier Wednesday said Berlin was monitoring the situation in Hong Kong with “rising concern”. (dpa/NAN)

YEE

====

(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

Agriculture

Food security: NGO tasks farmers, herders on dialogue

By Awayi Kuje
Peace
Lafia, July 27, 2019 (NAN) In a bid to end the perennial clashes between farmers and herders in Nasarawa State, an NGO, Search for Common Ground (SFCG), on Saturday inaugurated a platform known as Peace Architectural Dialogue (PAD) to promote peace between farmers and herders in the state.

Inaugurating the platform in Lafia, Ms Olutoyin Falade, the organisation’s Senior Programme Manager in charge of Middle-Belt, said the platform was specifically designed
towards ensuring peace in the state.

She added that the platform was also to enable the people of the state come together and discuss matters bordering on peace and security, particularly farmers and herders.

Recounting the success stories of PAD in peace building in states like Plateau, Adamawa and Benue, Falade said the organisation would use dialogue as a traditional peace tactic to bring about peace in Nasarawa state.

Falade explained that the organisation operated on common ground approach principles, which include humanity, empathy, humility, inclusiveness and neutrality in dealing with matters affecting people without undermining their tradition and religion.

“We are here today to inaugurate a platform called ‘Peace Architectural Dialogue’ (PAD), this is the first of its kind in Nasarawa state.

“This platform is to address issues bordering on peace and security in Nasarawa state, which include farmers and herders crises through dialogue.

“We have informal sector mechanism which include traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and family groups.

“These are mechanisms we want to reinforce through this platform to bring about peace,” she said.

The programme manager advised the Nasarawa state Government to key into the PAD platform and proffer intervention that would address incessant crises between farmers and herders in the state.

On his part, Mr Jibrin-Egwa Nagambo, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Gov. Abdullahi Sule, on Non-Governmental Organisations, said the PAD platform is in line with the federal and state government policies and determination to address security challenges in the country.

Nagambo called on farmers and herders and other relevant stakeholders to embrace the initiative to enable total peace, and by extension attract dividends of democracy to the state, adding that the state will only develop when there is absolute peace.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that SFCG is an international non-profit organisation with its headquarters in Washington DC whose mission is to transform the way the world deals with conflict.

NAN also reports that traditional rulers, members of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeder Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), the Media and representatives of the state ministries of Agriculture and Information were in attendance. (NAN)
AKW/ASS/MST
Edited by Saidu Adamu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NPC protest: Chairman says dialogue on with workers

NPC protest: Chairman says dialogue on with workers

NAN-HG-6
Dialogue
By Chinenye Offor
Abuja, Jan. 15, 2018 (NAN) Mr Eze Duruiheoma, the Chairman, National Population Commission (NPC), says the management is in dialogue with the aggrieved workers of the commission.

He also told newsmen on Monday in Abuja that last week’s protest by the staff of the commission’s workers union was not instigated by any political rivalry.

Duruiheoma was reacting to reports that the union protest was political.

The chairman said that negotiations were on going to resolve the issues between the union and the commission.

Duruiheoma added that President Muhammadu Buhari has the right to reappoint the Director-General of the commission, Dr Ghaji Bello.

“We are working hard to make peace and there is no truth in the insinuation that what is happening is political; the unionists do not belong to any political party and to say that the protest is politically aggravated is doing injustice to the commission.

“It is not correct that that we buy diesel instead of paying Power Holding Company Nigeria (PHCN) bills, the truth is that the company can cut the light if owed but we can buy diesel on credit.

“The commission’s law did not state that the DG must come within the establishment and what is happening in NPC can happen in any other organisation.

“If you want to make peace in a dispute, you don’t take sides and I want peace and also want to retire in peace,” Duruiheoma said.

He said that the commission’s monthly overhead from the Federal Government had dropped from N42 million to N21 million, describing the development as being responsible for the present challenges. (NAN)
CSO/ABI/MST
Edited by Ali Inuwa/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

FMC Makurdi engages NMA over strike

FMC Makurdi engages NMA over strike
NAN-H-11
Dialogue
By Emmanuel Antswen
Makurdi, Oct. 25, 2017 (NAN) The Management of Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Makurdi, has commenced discussion with striking members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the state.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr Peteru Inunduh, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi on Wednesday.
Inunduh said that series of consultations were ongoing between the management and NMA affiliates at the centre to end the industrial action.
He said that all issues raised by the striking doctors were attended to even before the commencement of the strike on Oct. 11.
He said the issues leading to the strike were similar issues to those of National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the Joint Health Sector Unions, (JOHESU).
He added that the issue was already been addressed by the Federal Government.
The medical director said that he was not aware of any dispute with the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) and NARD at FMC.
He added that the management was in the process of implementing all the recent agreements reached with federal government.
However, Dr Obekpa Obekpa, the state Chairman of NMA, told newsmen that the Benue Government and the management of FMC were yet to contact them.
“Since the beginning of the indefinite strike, the Benue State Government and Management of FMC, Makurdi, have not invited us for any negotiation.
“This strike has clearly shown the insensitivity of the stakeholders to the plight of the masses.
“This strike has revealed lack of transparency from the stakeholders, it has also revealed leadership gap.
“So, since our demands are genuine for the effective healthcare service delivery in the state, doctors will not go back to work unless their demands are met,” Obekpa said.
Meanwhile, the MDCAN chapter of FMC, Makurdi, has disassociated itself from the strike.
Its chairman, Dr Isaac Nombur, told newsmen that members were not part of the ongoing strike.
NAN recalls that the NMA had on Oct. 11 directed its members to embark on indefinite strike following government’s inability to meet their demands. (NAN)
AEB/OFN/MST
Edited by Felix Nwadioha/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Niger Delta

7th Niger Delta Dialogue seeks implementation of integrated regional master plan

NAN-H-13
Dialogue
By Dianabasi Effiong
Port Harcourt, July 2, 2017 (NAN)A two-day dialogue on Niger Delta affairs has ended in Calabar with a resolution for the implementation of  a regional integrated Master Plan and robust engagement of stakeholders for its review, update and re-validation.

In a communique signed by the Chairman, Niger Delta Dialogue, King Diete Spiff, participants noted that the master plan’s implementation targets should include developmental goals of the region  in all sectors.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 7th Niger Delta Dialogue with the theme: A Revival Dialogue for the Niger Delta, held at Tinapa Hotel, Calabar.

The communique obtained by NAN on Sunday also stressed the need for the Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs (MNA) to  consistently drive the development of the region.

It also urged the MNA to play a greater leadership and coordinating  role on matters pertaining to the finalisation of an integrated master plan for the region.

The communique also stated the need to put together core professionals in the region with the needed competences to implement plans and ensure continuity,

It advised political leaders from the region to work across party lines and individual viewpoints in pursuing matters pertaining to economic future of the Niger Delta.

The communique also emphasised the need for “the BRACED Commission, working together with NDDC’’ to be given “needed support by governors and political leaders of the region to play its coordinating role.’’

It called on Federal Government “to focus on overarching and straddling regional infrastructural and economic diversification plans.’’

Governors from the region were also urged to show greater commitment to transparent management of resources and implementation of programmes and activities for more effective growth and development.

It called on  the leadership and people of the region to depart from what it termed culture of entitlement’ to a culture of devotion to development.’’

According to the communique the leadership and people of Niger Delta must  foster “the creation of an integrated regional economy’’ according to the NDDC Master Plan.

It called for the need for NDDC to return to its original Master Plan of “dealing with straddling regional programme rather than undertaking micro community level projects.’’

The communique  expressed the hope that the work of the present Federal Government’s inter-ministerial committee would adopt an approach “in sync with the 16-point agenda.’’

It urged the Federal Government to note that “the intervention of various stakeholders in the region particularly held by PANDEF led to the unilateral declaration of sixty days ceasefire in the region”.

“This has since increased oil production levels in the country from 800,000 bpd to present value of 2.2million bpd and its implications on revenue increase to the country.’’

It urged the Federal Government “to accelerate its dialogue with PANDEF and commence the immediate implementation of various aspects of the 16-Point Agenda submitted to Mr. President on the 1st of November 2016.’’

The communique stated that such measures would ensure continued peace and security in the region.

Participants included the Obong of Calabar,  Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V and King Dandeson Jaja, the Amanayabo of Opobo and Chairman of Rivers State Council of  Traditional Rulers.

Others in attendance were leading traditional rulers, elder statesmen and leaders of the region as well as Chairman of NDDC, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba.

The Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria, Ambassador Michel Arron and representatives of EU, the UK and the United Nations Development Programme  also attended the meeting. (NAN)
DOE/OJO
========
(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)