NLC harps on press freedom, rule of law

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said that part of the dividend of democracy is respect for press freedom, rule of law, human and trade union rights, and therefore implored politicians and law enforcement agencies to respect these rights.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC held at the Labour House, Abuja, NLC also advised journalists to be professional, fair and credible in their reportage.

On pension and gratuity liabilities, the NLC decried the mounting arrears of unpaid pension and gratuity, demanding that state governments should give priority to the payment of pension and gratuity.

“The NEC also urges that the last tranche of the Paris Club Refund should only be released if it is ascertained that it would be used to settle outstanding pension and gratuity by state governments,” said the NLC.

The NLC observed that federal civil servants who retired under the contributory pension scheme since July 2017 have not been paid their entitlements, saying it has led to avoidable hardship and even deaths of many retirees.

“The NEC noted that the problem was from the Federal Ministry of Finance which defaulted in remitting accrued benefits to PENCOM as at when due.

“The NEC demands that the Federal Ministry of Finance should do the needful and expeditiously remit all accrued benefits to PENCOM and ensure that subsequent remittances are done as at when due.”