Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
Taraba State chapter of the Nigeria Labor Congress NLC have call on the State government to as matter of urgency settle the outstanding salaries of LG staff, five months salaries for primary school Teachers in the state as well as none payment of yearly increment which was stopped for three years.
The State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Peter Jediel made the call during the 2023 Workers Day in Jalingo the state capital.
“As we are aware, the occasion is intended to take stock and highlight the contributions and challenges facing workers in consistent efforts to ensure the growth and development of the country.
He commend the doggedness, patience, sacrifice, resilience and perseverance of workers in Taraba State over the years in ensuring maximum productivity in the state civil service despite numerous challenges.
He also commend the Taraba State Government for regular payment of monthly salaries of workers in the state and for the numerous developmental projects across the state.
“We wish to draw the attention of the state government on some of the plights of workers in the state.
“The major one has to do with the outstanding six months salaries of local government staff and five months for primary school Teachers in the state as well as the non- payment of yearly increment which was stopped for three years now. Also the backlog of gratuities for retirees in the state from year two thousand and fifteen and inability to capture over one thousand retirees Into the monthly pension.
He implore the state government to hasten the implementation of the new minimum wage for workers in the state to boost their morale and enhance maximum productivity in the civil service.
“Another area we also want government to focus attention is training, and retraining of civil servants in the state. This becomes imperative to enable them cope with current trends and developments in the civil service.
He use the forum to appeal to the state government for the lifting of embargo and other restrictions including non-release of dues meant for the state wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT.
“This becomes imperative to enable the union carry out its statutory responsibilities.
He accuse the state government for forming a different Union to replace NUT, by name Association of Universal Basic Education Teachers in the state.
“All over the country, there is only one Nigeria union of Teachers, and it is only in Taraba State that we have Association of Universal Basic Education Teachers as an Association.
According to him, NLC is poised towards ensuring greater unity among the organized labour in the state with a view to achieving purposeful goals.
In his remarks, Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku represented by the State Head of Service, Madam Suzi Nathan said that the state government has accorded workers in the state the needed attention it deserve.
She pointed out that Governor Ishaku have approved the permanenting of over Three Thousand Rescue Teachers to reduce the shortage of manpower in the state.
She further said that the Civil Service Commission is processing Eight hundred and fifty staff for the transfer of service to the state.
“Civil Servants can work and enjoy their service for now retired at the age of 65 and 40 years of service.
She call on workers to avoid coming to work late and closing before time.
“Avoid releasing government secrets to the public. Late arrival to work is not acceptable, you are respected to come to work as early as 8:30Am and close by 4:00 Pm. Lets change our attitude to work by coming early and not closing before time.
She commend workers for the support accorded her since assuming office.