Maiduguri- The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Friday urged Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno to give top priority to workers’ welfare and demands.
Mr Titus Abana, the Borno Chairman of the NLC, who made the call at the celebration of workers’ day in Maiduguri, said government must ensure full implementation of all workers’ demands.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that the theme for the event is: “The Working class, Democratic consolidation and economic revival: Charting the way for the nation re-birth.”
According to him, May Day is equally important to workers, therefore, we decided to join our colleagues nationwide to commemorate the day despite the security challenges.
“The citizens of Borno have benefited from government’s programmes and policies, which include education, transportation, housing, road construction, water supply, electrification and security among others.
“But we want you to focus on the workers demands, which include full implementation of the minimum wage, allowances for local government staff and primary school teachers.
“We want you to upgrade the infrastructure at Musa Usman Secretariat with provision of office furniture and other equipment to enhance working environment conducive for our workers.
“We also want you to pay outstanding 10 and 30 per cent CONHESS for health workers and local government workers,” he said.
Abana also urged the state government to ensure payment of outstanding salaries of staff of Borno Investment Company and state Hotels and Housing Corporation.
The chairman also called for immediate lifting of embargo on employment in the state, in order to reduce unemployment, poverty and restiveness among the teeming youth.
He urged the state government to revive dormant state industries such as Neitsl shoe factory, Soda Ash Plant, Wire and Nail industry and Borno State Fertiliser Company in order to boost employment and the internally generated revenue of the state.
Abana also advised the government to send a bill to the state House of Assembly for the implementation of 65 years of age for retirement of staff of tertiary institutions in the state.
In his remark, Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno said the state government was determined to address workers’ problems and meet their request.
Represented by Alhaji Zannah Mustapha, the Deputy Governor, Shettima said that the state government had met most of its workers’ demands, which include prompt payment of salaries and yearly increment, implementation of N18, 000 minimum wages to workers.
Shettima said that the state government had also paid minimum wage and CONHESS salary to health workers.
He explained that the payment of gratuities for state, local government and primary school teachers and employment of international hotel staff would also be looked into.
He commended the civil servant for his re-election, pointing out that the government would continue to create environment conducive for the civil servant through implementation of policies and programmes that would better their lives.
The people of the state had voted for change, we are, therefore, optimistic that the APC led government of Maj,-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari will end the insurgency,” said Shettima. (NAN)
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