Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), in Kebbi, says it will take industrial action by Jan., 2021, over unpaid workers’ benefit in the state.
The Chairman of the NLC in the state, Alhaji Umar Halidu, stated this while briefing newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday.
He recalled that the organised labour and state government signed agreement over unpaid workers’ benefits in Feb. ,2020, stressing that only a little effort had been made in the payment of leave grant and gratuity to workers and retirees, respectively.
“It is unimaginable for parties to agree on certain issues dully signed by both, and now remains a mirage.
“These issues are: non payment of balance of gratuity to retirees up to September, 2018.
“Non payment of gratuity to retirees from October ,2018 to date.
“Non remittance of teachers’ deductions of pension contributions to their respective Pension Funds Administrators (PFAs) for over five years.
“Non payment of 2019 leave grant to workers on Grade Level 07 and above; and non payment of 2020 leave grant to all categories of workers in the state.
“Lastly, non implementation of annual increment,” Alhassan said.
Alhassan expressed dismay on the way and manner the state government showed nonchalant attitude on issues affecting the entire welfare of the civil servants in kebbi state.
He also noted that the government deliberately frustrated the union from reaching conclusion with the committee on consequential adjustment on new national minimum wage.
“This situation is inconclusive and the civil servants are now left in limbo, ” he added.
The chairman called on the state government to respect the initial agreement by Jan. 2021 otherwise the union would embark on industrial action.
