The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Borno State chapter has lamented the poor amount of money being paid to pensioners in the state.
In an address to mark the 2024 May Day celebration on Wednesday, the NLC Chairman, Yusuf Inuwa, said that some retirees in the state were still being paid N4,000 monthly as pension.
He advocated for upward review of the pension to improve the social and economic wellbeing of retirees.
“Your Excellency, we wish to table before you that as at this moment there are some pensioners who are still receiving N4,000 as pension per month which is grossly inadequate,” Inuwa said.
“We, therefore, pray for His Excellency intervention for upward review of the monthly pension.”
He also called for the implementation of the national minimum wage, payment of outstanding leave and transport grants to local government employees in the state.
The NLC chairman, who noted the commitment of the workers towards the transformation agenda of the state government, lauded the Babagana Zulum’s administration for the feat achieved in the area of workers’ welfare.
He listed some of the achievements to include implementation of promotion benefits to workers in the mainstream, payment of gratuities to families of deceased workers, and provision of subsidised buses for workers and members of the public.
Also, the State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Babayo Hamma, urged the state government to adopt the minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
The state deputy governor, Umar Kadafur, lauded the harmonious relationship between labour and the state government.
Mr Kadafur who listed some of the training opportunities provided for the workers including the N2 billion free interest facility, reiterated government to the welfare and training of workers.
Also, Prof. Ibrahim Umara of Political Science Department, University of Maiduguri, who highlighted the theme of this year’s May Day, “The People First”, called for proactive active measures to address energy crisis in the country.
He urged government to adopt sound policies that would enabled the Dangote Refinery, to supply fuel at a subsidised rate to service local consumption.
