CAMPAIGN of Democratic and Workers’ Rights CDWR, has condemned last week sack of 226 workers Peugeot Automobile Nigeria, PAN,  by the management over right to join union and called for their immediate reinstatement.

In a statement by its Chairman and National Secretary, Comrade Rufus Olusesan and Mr. Victor Osakwe, the group said: “The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) condemns in strong terms the sacking of 226 workers by the management of Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) over workers agitation for unionization and payment of their yearly bonuses.

The management of PAN had sacked all 226 workers of the industrial Division on Monday November 29, 2010 for attempting to inaugurate a trade union. It is instructive to note that the Alhaji Sani Dauda-led management had unlawfully sacked all the union executives and proscribed all trade union activities five years ago when it acquired the company, an action that has allowed management to consistently and arbitrarily sack workers amongst other anti-workers activities.

The management of PAN had violated Nigeria’s constitution by depriving workers of their right. Workers have the right to express themselves freely, assemble and associate freely as guaranteed in section 39 and 40 of the 1999 constitution respectively. CDWR salutes the courage of the workers in the 3 other departments for embarking on a solidarity strike action with the victimised 226 workers.

Hence, we encourage the workers to sustain this solidarity strike as a means to force the management to reverse its actions. We also call on the Kaduna State leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to intervene on behalf of the victimised workers. CDWR calls on the management of PAN to immediately recall all 226 sacked workers without any loss of pay and allowances including their annual bonuses.

Minimum wage: ASSBIFI warns against re-negotiation

ASSOCIATION of Senor Staff of Bank, Insurance and Financial Institution, ASSBIFI, has warned against planned to deregulate the implementation of the N18.000 new minimum wage.

At its 7th National Delegates conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State, leaders of ASSBIFI, wondered why some state government could be saying they would not be able to pay.

In a communique issued at the end of the conference, members of ASSBIFI said: “While it is good news that the Federal Government has ultimately accepted to execute the minimum wage of Eighteen Thousand Naira (N18, 000.00), the labour movement should view this as a victory obtained by agitation.  The Conference frowns at the report that the Federal Government is toying with the idea of pandering to the whims of a few State Governments that are canvassing for the deregulation of the implementation of the Agreement.

It is paradoxical that those advocating the policy of true federalism on workers’ wage enjoyed the same remuneration package for all elective posts across the Federation. We also call for the institutionalisation of a system that would allow for increase in the minimum wage from time-to-time in accordance with cost of living index.”

Olanrewaju lauds MINILS Governing council

The Director-General and Chief Executive of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, Ilorin, Dr. John Niyi Olanrewaju has commended the Institute’s Governing Council members for their deep interest and commitment to the growth of the Institute.

Dr. Olanrewaju said this at a 3-day Retreat the Institute organized for the Council on “Building an Effective Corporate Governance System in MINILS” in Calabar. According to him, the Retreat which was the first to be organized in the history of the Institute,  was meant to tap from the diverse experiences of the members.

He said: “Our Council members are people with experience in different fields and we believe they represent different interest groups in the Labour Movement. Of course, with their experience they could add value to the activities of the Institute.”

He disclosed that as the most critical stakeholder of the Institute, the Retreat could be the starting point for the integration of their ideas of what they expect from the Institute and to share with the Management the picture of MINILS they dreamt of. “Our belief is that as the highest decision making body of the Institute, you must be able to add to the vision that we have conceptualized.”

He then appealed to them for regular guidance on the implementation of the vision and mission of the Institute.

Speaking at the opening of the Retreat, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun stressed that the Retreat was very important to the development of the Institute. He pointed out that knowledge of strategic planning issues could be usefully applied to different spheres of life, including politics.

The council members used the opportunity provided by the Retreat to re-affirm their strong faith in the Institute and also promised to rededicate themselves to the MINILS Project.

They also recommended the need for MINILS to, strengthen partnerships with credible institutions as a basis for extending the reach of the Institute and fulfilling its potential. They suggested the development of a procedure for operationalizing the outcome of the Retreat and mainstreaming same.

The Institute was advised to institute appropriate and useful Retreat follow-up activities and ensure regular organization of Council retreat and other engagement platforms