The Trade Union Congress, Ogun State Chapter has appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to pay the N68bn pension gratuities owned by the state government.
Comrade Akeem Lasisi made the appeal in an address to mark the 2022 Workers Day on Sunday in Abeokuta.
Pensioners had on Thursday converged on the Union’s Secretariat in Abeokuta to organize a one-day special prayer against unknown evil forces preventing the Governor from paying them their entitlements.
Some of the demands of the pensioners were an increase in the pensioners’ monthly take home; increase in the quarterly release of gratuity from N500m to N1bn; release of deducted contributory pensions to their respective pension fund administrators, as well as the constitution of the Pensions Committee which will administer the affairs of their union.
Lasisi while addressing workers in the state at the MKO Abiola Stadium urged the state Governor to increase the quarterly release of N500m.
“Do everything possible to increase the quarterly release of N500 million to clear the backlog of gratuities for the State Pensioners. If the past government had started the remission of N500million quarterly as being done by your government, the backlog might have been either completely offset or minimally reduced by now. So, we commend your government for being humane, but we seek an upward review of the amount so remitted quarterly.”
The TUC Chairman commended Governor Abiodun for infrastructural development and provision of public bus, describing the initiatives as worker-friendly.
“He has excelled where the provision of public infrastructures, vis-à-vis road construction, the recently launched pilot scheme of public rapid bus transportation system, and sundry worker-friendly initiatives, moves and policies are concerned.
“Yes, kudos must be given to the government for releasing the promotion letters for the 2018 and 2019 promotion exercise of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies against the old practice hereby some sectors, most especially the teaching sector would be considered last or not even considered at all in the scheme of things. This indicated you are conscious of the fact that promotion exercises are statutory rights of workers
“The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria wishes to appreciate His Excellency for the upward review of the budgetary allocation to car refurbishment and motorcycle loans for senior and junior civil servants from N100,000 to N200,000 and N40,000 to N80,000 respectively. This new piece of cheering news was transmitted to all concerned MDAs in a circular dated 22nd April, 2022. In spite of the downturn in the economy, our Governor has decided to be fair and just. We say a loud thank you sir.”
“Labour is not unaware that the global economy, and in particular that of Nigeria has suffered some blows since the COVID-19 pandemic broke and the associated recession all of which have affected funds available to governments. In fact, the state government is commended for keeping faith with the state workforce even in the face of the hard bitting economic recession by not downsizing nor embarking on salary cuts as done in other states as that would have thrown many breadwinners out of jobs, and their children thereby facing untold hardships.”
