Comrades, it is no longer news that the state government is proposing a ‘table payment’ option for the months of July and August 2018 for MDAs and June, July and August 2018 for Tertiary Institutions and Pensioners’ salary/pension arrears already agreed on by government and organized labour. This, according to government is to enable her ascertain the correct wage bill of the State.
Though government has assured that the exercise will be made as seamless as possible, and that the only requirements for the payment will be the employee’s letter of first appointment and official identity card to enable each worker picks his/her salary Cheque on the spot, we are of the view that one month salary will not augur well for the workers who have suffered so much deprivation as a result of non payment of salaries for months.
In view of the above, we have written to government to appeal for the consideration of a favourable review of the number of months to be paid to workers before embarking on the ‘Table Payment Option’ so as to mitigate the effects of the long wait for salary.
Meanwhile, we have mandated all the affiliates of NLC and TUC to hold meetings of their organs with a view to extensively discussing this matter and issue a communique that will in turn guide the organized labour in future engagement with government on the issue.
For now, we urge you to remain calm as we assure you that we would stand against anything that will take us back to Egypt. However, we are happy to inform you that His Excellency had promised not renege on the numbers agreed for payment.
Hitherto, the struggle for the actualization of the implementation of the New National Minimum Wage continues
with a proposed strike action to commence on Tuesday 6th November, 2018. We are not unaware of the media reportage of court action by the Federal Government against the strike; we hereby advise all workers to be resolute and await further directives from the National Secretariat through the State Council.
Aluta Continua!
Signed:
Olakunle Faniyi
NLC State Secretary
Kolawole James
TUC State Secretary
I. A. Abubakar
UPSNC State Secretary
