ORGANISED LABOUR LAMENT HUGE PENSION AND GRATUITY ARREARS IN ENUGU, DEMAND IMPROVED WORK ENVIRONMENT
REPORTER: CHRISTIAN NWANGENE
The Leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) Enugu State Chapter, has lamented the plight of pensioners in the state, urging regular payment of their gratuities to ameliorate their hardship.
The Chairman of the union in Enugu, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo, made the appeal during a special prayer session at NLC Secretariat, Enugu to mark the 2023 Workers’ Day.
Comrade Nwigbo said the senior citizens, who had spent most of their useful Life serving the government, deserved their rewards.
He called on government to put in place a permanent solution to the recurring issue of non-payment of pensions and gratuities of retirees.
“Our pensioners have not faired well, we need them to receive their pensions as at when due, we need gratuities to be paid.
“These are individuals, who have suffered for this state, that have done a lot to ensure that we’re enjoying what we’re enjoying today and we cannot afford not to take care of them.
“Some of them are not so lucky to have had children that would take care of them at their old age and they have put in almost 65 per cent of their lives and strength into the system, we can’t afford to look at them die like rats.
“I want all of us comrades to put voices together and continue to pray and ask both the current government and incoming administration to have a change of heart towards these old persons that have worked and suffered for the good of all of us,” the labour leader remarked.
The NLC Chairman in Enugu State expressed regret that while prices of commodities in the Nigeria continued to increase on daily basis, workers’ pay had remained stagnant.
Comrade Nwigbo called on the state government to look into the issues of indecent work conditions and environment, poor salaries and wages.
While paying tributes to workers, who died in the struggle for better condition of service and development of the country, Comrade Nwigbo commended Enugu State Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for being worker friendly, urging the incoming administration to sustain the legacy and improve on their wellbeing.
He equally commended the National President of the Union, Comrade Joe Ajaero, for coming into the intervention of the Nigerian people during the cash crunch.
The organised labour in Enugu State made up of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) & the Trade Union Congress, (TUC) visited some less privileged homes in Enugu, including the Red Cross Motherless Babies Home at Holy Ghost while a novelty match between male and female climaxed the celebration.
The Theme for the 2023 celebration is: “Workers’ Rights & Socio-economic justice.”
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
