Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
May 1, 2023.
The Borno State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has commended Governor Babagana Zulum for the prompt payments of workers’ salaries, gratuity and leave transport grants.
According to the Congress, the promotional benefits and payments of pension are worthy of applaud.
NLC’s State Chairman, Yusuf Inuwa made the commendations, yesterday (Monday), to mark 2023 May Celebration at Ramat Square, Maiduguri.
The May Day workers celebration theme: “Workers’ Right and Socio-Economic Justice” is to reflect on the political socioeconomic realities of the current situation in the state and the country at large.”
He said that the position of workers in the currency swap policy of the Federal Government and the difficulties faced by workers while the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was implementing the cashless policy.
“You’ve lived up to the expectations of the 16, 000 workforce, by providing a purposeful leadership that transformed the State to greater economic heights,” he said.
According to him, the leadership of workers will have an audience with the Governor on the issues concerning the welfare of workers to be presented.
Despite the payments of salaries and pension and gratuities of retired workers, there are still areas requires urgent interventions by the state government.
“We’ll present them to you, during NLC’s courtesy visit, after swearing in Zulum into office for the second term.
The NLC boss listed the issues to be presented to Governor include the implementation of promotions benefits, the staggered mode of gratuity payment between 2012 and 2017, non-payments of Local Government Staff salaries and pension since April 2022 to date.
Among the nine-point workers’ demands comprise the absorption Borno State Housing Corporation and Borno Express into the civil service, completion of the Bio-data capture exercise and the increase in the retirement age health workers from 60 to 65 years.
Continued; “Labour is pleading with his Excellency to consider extending years of service of all categories of civil servants from 35 to 40 years and the inability of workers to pay their electricity bills.
“We on our part as partners in progress and continue to be loyal, hardworking and obedient to the Rules and Regulations of the Civil Service.”
Governor Zulum said that government will maintain the cordial working relationship with members of NLC.
Zulum, represented by his Deputy, Usaman Kadafur disclosed: “The cordial working relationship with workers could ensure industrial harmony in service delivery to the people.
He, therefore, urged the workers to be law abiding and committed in the implementation government policies and programmes.
End.
