Correspondent in Lokoja.
Kogi state workers on Monday, joined their counterparts in Nigeria and globally with an appealed to the state government to implement the February 9,2022 agreement on the cash-backing of all promotions, payment of leave bonuses and annual increments without further delay.
Kogi workers at the 2022 Workers’Day in Lokoja.
The State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Onuh Edoka, made the appeal at Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre, Lokoja to mark the 2022 Workers’ Day celebration.
Edoka,who commended Governor Yahaya Bellin for implementing the N30,000 New National Minimum Wage,its consequential adjustment and prompt payment of salary in the state, however, reiterated ” that life has become unbearable for an average Nigerian worker, Kogi workers inclusive, because of inflation trends in the country.”
The state NLC be boss said that while the labour was not unaware of the prevailing economic harshio in the country and the governor’s doggedness in mitigating all the challenges, ” we want governnent to remember the understanding that Kogi workers always demonstrate.”
He appealed to Bello to restore Weight-in-,Allowance for all Media workers and the 27.5 per cent Teacher Specific Allowance for primary and secondary school teachers among demands, to restore Workers’ trust in governnent.
Responding through the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Arike, Bello urged the workers in the state not to see government as antagonist but partner in progress in the course of ensuring their welfare.
He told the workers that his administration had restored the car reburshing loan of N500,000 to each civil servant.
Bello,who said that ” it is fair to pay workers on or before the end of every month”, said his administration would not retrench any worker or rationalisation under any disguise and commended them for their dedication to duty.
Our Correspondent reports that though the occasion, attended by many workers from different unions, witnessed performance by Art and Culture Troops, no match pass by: the workers.
The history of Workers’s Day is connected to the event of 1886 in Chicago,USA, where it originated while it’s sugnificance remains Workers’ solidarity in protecting their common interest, particularly in respect to welfare among others.
The theme for the 2022 event is “Labour,Politics and Quest For Good Governance and Development in Nigeria.”
In a statement he sent to The Reporters, the Vice chairman of NLC in the state, Comrade OpaluwaI Eleojo wished all workers (formal and informal) a happy 2022 Workers ‘Day celebration.
” Remember, in your hand is placed the power greater than the ‘Army’ of our oppressors, a thousand fold.
” Take back this power through constrictive engagement and advocacy,” he told the workers.
Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo with a friend, D U Ahmed at the 2022 Workers’ Day Iokoja on Sunday.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
