May Day: Workers demand better deal
Nigerian workers and their counterparts celebrated the International Workers Day yesterday, with a call on government at all levels to make workers welfare a priority.
Our correspondents from across the country report:
We've not lived up expectation - Ortom to workers'
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday said his administration had not lived up to the expectation of its employees.
Ortom made the remark during the celebration of this year's Workers Day at the IBB Square in Makurdi.
He regretted that the state workers were last paid in November, 2016 while the teachers and local government staff drew their last pay more than six months ago due to the dwindling fortune of federal accrual to the state's purse.
The governor promised to dedicate the second tranche of the Paris Club refunds to the settlement of outstanding debts owed workers.
Zamfara to release N100m monthly for workers gratuities
Zamfara State government will start releasing N100m monthly for the payment of workers gratuities and related entitlements from June this year, Governor Abdulaziz Yari has said.
Yari, who was represented by his deputy Alhaji Ibrahim Wakkala Muhammad, spoke during the May Day celebration in Gusau yesterday.
He said his administration would ensure that all outstanding payments of workers’ entitlements were made before its end.
Workers invaluable to dev - Kwara gov
Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, in his May Day message, appreciated the patience, cooperation, dedication and loyalty of workers and pledged to continue to reciprocate the gesture by enhancing their.
Governor Ahmed said he will continue to accord top priority to workers’ welfare in view of their invaluable contributions to the development of the state.
Lalong gets workers’ commendation
Workers in Plateau State yesterday commended Governor Simon Bako Lalong for not only clearing backlog of salary arrears he inherited but ensuring that workers are paid their monthly salaries as at when due.
The workers, under the NLC and the TUC, said this after a 30 minutes march past at the Rwang Pam township stadium in Jos.
They also called on the governor to see to the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage for local government workers and primary school teachers.
Bauchi workers seek better conditions
Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar and workers in Bauchi State expressed hope of better working conditions as Nigeria exits recession.
This was the resolve yesterday in Bauchi during the 2017 celebrations of May Day at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi.
Speaking earlier, the Bauchi State NLC chairman, Comrade Hashimu Mohammed Gital, said the upward review of N18,000 minimum wage is long overdue.
Taraba says no money to pay gratuity
Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku said that the state government has no money to pay gratuity to retired civil servants.
Governor Darius made this known while responding to speech made by Taraba State chairman of NLC, Comrade Peter Gambo, during May Day celebration in Jalingo, yesterday.
Ishaku accused civil servants, especially
local government workers for adding fictitious names in payment vouchers.
Earlier, Comrade Gambo appealed to the governor to implement promotion of civil servants which has been pending since 2014.
Jigawa urged to replicate N-power
The Jigawa State chapter of NLC has called on Governor Muhammed Badaru Abubakar to replicate the Federal Government’s N-Power scheme in the state.
The state NLC chairman, Comrade Usman Ya'u Dutse, speaking during the workers day celebration in Dutse, said
"The replication of N-Power scheme in the state could provide job opportunities for about 10,000 unemployed teachers in the state."
Amosun converts retirement teachers' sack to
Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has converted the sacking of the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comr. Ilekoya and two others, to retirement them with full benefits.
Amosun, who spoke during the May Day celebration at the M.K.O Abiola Stadium yesterday, however, declined to comment on the fate of the state chairman of the NLC, Comrade Akeem Ambali, saying it would be prejudicial since he had gone to court to challenge his sack.
But Ambali, in a swift reaction, said the development has opened doors for discussions.
Katsina NLC backs whistle blowing
The NLC in Katsina has thrown its weight behind the whistle blowing policy and the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which it said has helped in stopping leakages and recovery of stolen monies.
Speaking at the workers day rally, its chairman Tanimu Saulawa said Nigerians must support the two campaigns to succeed beyond the President Buhari administration.
He said the proactive measures adopted by anti-graft agencies are commendable.
Make N25, 000 minimum pension
Chairman of NLC in Sokoto Aminu Umar called for an upward review of pension from N4,000 to N25,000 monthly in the state.
He also demanded for the implementation of the December 2014 Government Circular on the payment of gratuity and pension to staff and medical workers in the local government service, as their counterparts in the state service.
Umar was speaking at the 2017 May Day commemoration in the state.
El-Rufai assures workers of support
Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has commended workers in the state for their doggedness and dedication to the development and unity.
He also congratulated the leadership and members of the NLC in the state on the commemoration of 2017 Workers’ Day.
Chairman of NLC Kaduna State Chapter, Comrade Adamu Ango, and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Shehu Muhammed, lamented non-payment of salaries by many state governments.
Bagudu pledge better welfare
Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has pledged better working conditions and welfare for civil servants in the state.
The governor, represented by his deputy Alhaji Samaila Yombe Dabai during the May Day celebration at the Haliru Abdu Stadium, Birnin Kebbi, said the state government would always uphold a friendly relationship with the labour union.
The Kebbi State chairman of NLC, Comrade Umar Halidu Alhassan, appealed to the government to pay the primary school teachers outstanding two years leave grant.
Fayose asks FG to share foreign reserves
Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose yesterday said the Federal Government must share the money in the foreign reserves to enable states meet their responsibilities.
Speaking at the May Day rally in Ado Ekiti, the governor also said "The FG is adding our money to foreign reserve, we don't need that now. They should share the money to us so we can meet up our responsibility.”
Chairman of NLC in the state, Comrade Raymond Ade Adesanmi, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to fulfil his campaign promises.
Edo registers 150,000 unemployed
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has disclosed that 150,000 unemployed persons have been registered in the first phase of the Edo State Job Initiative.
Obaseki, who said this yesterday in Benin at the Samuel Ogemudia stadium during the Workers Day celebration in Edo State, had promised to create 200,000 jobs during his campaign.
Governor Obseki said he has ordered the Head of Service to review all the cases, assuring that those who are not found wanting in any area would be reinstated.
Okorocha to lift embargo on promotion
Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has promised to lift the embargo on promotion of workers as soon as the sanitization exercise going on in the system is completed.
Addressing workers yesterday during the 2017 May Day Celebration at the Heroes Square Owerri, Okorocha promised to comply with the payment of the expected new minimum wage to be approved by the Federal Government.
The state chairman of the NLC, Comrade Austin Chilakpa, called for one hundred per cent review of the agreement the Labour leaders had with the state government over the payment of salaries.
Enugu workers honour Ugwuanyi
Workers in Enugu State, yesterday, conferred on the State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and the “Most Labour-friendly Governor Award in the history of Enugu State.
Addressing a May Day gathering, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Virginus Nwobodo, commended Governor Ugwuanyi for his administration’s feats in the prudent and transparent management of funds.
A'Ibom to construct affordable houses
Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel said his administration has concluded plans to build low cost housing scheme for disbursement to civil servants in the state.
The governor who spoke at the Uyo Township Stadium at the commemoration of the workers' day said that the need for government-assisted accommodation for workers became necessary as most workers retire without owning a house.
Al-Makura gets 1 week to clear salaries
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Nasarawa State has given the state government one week ultimatum to from yesterday to pay all their outstanding salaries or resume indefinite strike action.
State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Abdullahi Adeka, issued the ultimatum yesterday while addressing workers in Lafia to mark the Worker's Day.
Gombe to implement new minimum wage
The Gombe State Government said it will immediately implement a new minimum wage of N56, 000 if approved by the federal government.
The state Acting Governor, Mr. Charles Iliya, said this yesterday during the commemoration of the 2017 International Workers Day at the Pantami Township Stadium.
The acting governor also urged the Labour Unions to always embrace dialogue in solving issues that concern the welfare of workers, instead of confrontational attitudes which he said have negative consequences.