By Asile Abel,Jos
Plateau state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC Comrade Eugene Manji, has mandated goverment to ensure that the new minimum wage to be implemented covers the local government sector.
“As workers, we want to place on record that, we will no more accept differential salary structures in the Plateau State between state and local government workers in the new minimum wage arrengment.”
Comrade Manji made the appeal at the annual international workers day been marked in Nigeria every 1st of May each year.
The Plateau State NLC boss equally complained that workers are being shortchange of their due rights.
“Even the recent fertilizer that was shared by government of Plateau state, workers were denied.’
Speaking on the insecurity bedeviling Nigerians, Comrade Manji said security operatives are not doing enough in protecting citizens.
“It should be noted that Nigeria is in a sorry state.” People are Killed daily and our national security offices are Celebrating drop on the number of deaths resulting from banditry, kidnapping, armed robberies and other vices as if Nigerian lives do not matter.” He noted.
On his part, Chairman TUC Plateau State chapter, Comrade Kenneth Shammah, reminded government that workers of a state owned hotel (Hillstation hotel) are being neglected.
Comrade Shammah revealed that the said workers are owed 50 months salaries.
“Workers in the Hillstation hotel have not been paid salaries for as for as over 50 months, we therefore appeal for the payment of those salaries to those category of Workers.”
Reacting to the agitations of the workers, governor of Plateau State Barr Caleb Mutfwang, reminded workers that his administration prioritize welfare of workers.
The governor pledged that his administration shall always prioritize welfare of civil servants.
Governor Mutfwang was represented at the event by the Head of Civil Service Plateau State, Barr Rauta Dakok.
Mutfwang told the gathering that his administration has upset the 11 billion naira unpaid salaries of civil servants; according to him, the said salary arrears was abounded by his predecessor, Ex-governor Simon Lalong.
He stressed that his administration has commenced payment of pension arrears from year 1986, since December 2023.
