CALABAR – The immediate-past Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Cross River State, Mr Njom Nyambi, has described the conditions of pensioners in the state as poor and alarming.
Nyambi made this known while speaking on the plight of pensioners on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar.
He said that before he retired, he used to think that complaints by pensioners were being exaggerated but now he knew better as a retiree, yet to get his gratuity.
“I told the Governor during the 2014 May Day celebration that I have not been paid my gratuity.
“It is unfortunate that after working for 35 years for government, one finds himself in such a situation,’’ Nyambi said.
He urged those in positions of authority to do something to change the situation.
“We know that those in government are Politicians; they should know that retirees are supposed to be treated well,” Nyambi said.
The labour leader advised those still in service to prepare well for retirement, adding that life outside was difficult.
“I want them not to think that there is still time. When you say there is still time in the civil service, you may well end up not getting anything.
“As a civil servant, whatever you get, eat and keep something for the rainy day, because when you retire, it may be very difficult to eat and keep yourself and your family,” Nyambi added.(NAN)
