Contrary to the insinuations in some quarters that workers in Kogi State were being owed monthly salaries and other entitlements by the state government, the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) has said that no worker in the services of the state is being owed by the government.
Chairman of the NLC in the state, Comrade James Odaudu stated this in Lokoja while exchanging views with newsmen.
Odaudu said the allegations were not true as the state governor, Captain Idris Wada has paid to date salaries of workers in the state including the 2013 leave grants.
The NLC chairman said despite the dwindling resources, Kogi State is one of the few states in the country that is paying minimum wage of eighteen thousand naira monthly.
He further explained that the government had also assisted the organized labour to procure computer laptops for workers in the state civil service to enable them become computer literates.
The NLC Chairman equally explained that the workers were supported with 10 per cent payment of the joint housing project between the union and a consulting firm, City Point by the state government to ensure affordable houses for workers in the state.
The Labour Leader blamed non-payment of full month salaries of Local Government workers in the state on the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, (NULGE) and other allied Unions at the councils in the state especially on their alleged double roles.
“The state government has no hand in the local government workers salaries, it is purely the problem of the local government labour leaders and some people who have refused to allow screening of workers to succeed due to their vested interest,” he stated.
The Chairman alleged that the NLC has invited the local government union officials severally to come forward so that the issue could be investigated but they have declined.
Source: The Graphic
