2018 May Day: Plateau Govt Pledges Priority In Civil Servants Welfare
By Teryima Andrew
Governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong has his administration has placed priority in the welfare of civil servants of the state.
The governor stated this Tuesday, at the Rwang Pam Township stadium Jos, Plateau state, during the “2018 May Day” celebrations, been celebrated worldwide every first day of the month of May each year.
Represented by the head of the civil service Izam Azi, the governor pledged to upset the outstanding salaries arrears of local government workers.
The governor, however, appealed to civil servants in the state to work in harmony with the executives, to enable government function effectively.
In spite of the much talk about promoting payment of civil servants salaries by governor Simon Lalong led administration in Plateau state, local government employees in the state have said they are been owed three months salary arrears.
Similarly, primary school teachers in the state who are also under local government salary payment structure, said they are also been owed three months salaries.
Local government employees stated their plight in an interview with Journalists, shortly after the ritual match pass parade.
Pensioners of the state, also demonstrated at the stadium, with placards with various inscriptions, expressing disappointments, according to them, pensioners in the state have not been paid gratuity.
Confirming the plight of local government employees in an address, Plateau state chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress NLC Jibrin Banchir in a speech informed the gathering at the stadium, that local government workers in Plateau have not fully enjoyed the 18000 minimum wage.
Mr. Banchir revealed that local government workers in Plateau state are been paid only 50 percent of the 18,000 minimum wage.
“Congress is also worried that since the implementation of the new minimum wage of 18,000 where workers at local government workers and teachers were offered 50 percent and subsequently added another 5 percent, no have been made to increase the existing percentage.” Mr. Banchir stated.
The NLC chief in Plateau state said the government was owing civil servants one-month salary arrears of “no work no pay” as insisted by the outgone administration of Jonah Jang, who allegedly refused to pay civil servants for embarking on industrial action.
It will be recalled that governor Simon Lalong promised and paid a section of workers the “no work no pay” salary arrears, but could not pay local government employees.
“NLC is calling on government without further delay to pay the balance of the “no work no pay” it’s owing local government workers, primary school teachers, and Tertiary institutions.”