NLC gives Ortom ultimatum on salaries
From Hope Abah, Makurdi
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Benue State have jointly issued a three week ultimatum to the state government to clear unpaid salaries or face industrial action.
Our correspondent reports that Governor Samuel Ortom, on April 27, this year announced a state of emergency on salary payment sequel to the setting up of a committee to look into the matter.
The governor had said the state of emergency on payment of salaries became necessary in order to give priority to the issue.
But three months after, nothing tangible has been done about the unpaid salaries necessitating the ultimatum contained in a communiqué issued on Friday and signed by the NLC Chairman, Godwin Anya and his TUC counterpart, Tordue Tartenger, asking the state government to settle their outstanding salaries before August, 31.
“The State Executive Council (SEC) in session lamented the inability of the state government to address the lingering issues of non-payment of salaries, pensions and gratuity, despite the continued understanding of Organised Labour in the state.
“This situation (non-payment of salaries) has visited untold hardship on our members, leading to inability of workers and pensioners, to meet their obligations like food, payment of children’s school fees, settlement of medical bills and even death of some members,” the communiqué reads in part.
It added that the organised labour had resolved, “that the state government concludes all on-going screening exercises on or before August 31, 2017, clear all outstanding arrears of salaries, pensions and gratuity; pay salaries, pensions and gratuity as at when dues. Failure of the state government to meet these demands, the organised labour will be left with no option than to down tools by September 1, 2017.”