May Day : Kebbi NLC Calls Bagudu Most Worker- Friendly Governor In The Country
The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, has called the Chief Executive of Kebbi state, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu the most worker- friendly governor in the country noting that he has built an unprecedented excellent relationship with trade unions nationwide.
Governor Atiku Bagudu’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Yahaya Sarki noted in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com that the state NLC Chairman , Comrade Murtala Usman made this assertion in his address during the 2023 May Day celebration at the Presidential Lodge, Birnin Kebbi on Monday.
This year’s celebration had as its theme ‘Workers Right and Socio-Economic Justice’.
Comrade Murtala Usman added that Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has ensured prompt and regular payment of workers’ salaries, allowances and emoluments as well as payment of gratuity and pension to retired workers without owing any civil servant.
The NLC Chairman however urged the governor to improve on existing working condition of workers including work environment to guarantee full service delivery.
Specifically, he urged the governor to expedite action and put necessary machinery in place for appropriate implementation of thirty thousand naira minimum wage and commensurate consequential adjustment.
The state government was also asked to consider the possibility of approving a pay raise for workers as was done recently by the Federal Government which had last month approved a forty percent pay rise for federal workers.
Comrade Murtala Usman also solicited for approval for harmonious three increments of pension for pensioners, 12%, 15.5% and 33% including 30% consequential adjustment.
On the issue of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, the labour leader urged the state government to implement payment of hazard allowances to nurses and midwives, full implementation of CONHESS, improvement of security in areas prone to insecurity to enable nurses and midwives carry out their duties unhindered.
He also called for salary adjustment for lecturers of College of Nursing Sciences.
Comrade Murtala Usman expressed confidence in the capability and ability of the incoming governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu to sustain the industrial harmony and excellent relationship Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has had with labour movement being a trade unionist.
Addressing the gathering, the acting Head of Service, Alhaji Safiyanu Garba Bena commended Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for his untiring effort, foresight and consideration for keeping the Civil Service alive to its full capacity in terms of productivity.
The Head of Service said this has been evident in the prompt payment of salaries, allowances and other entitlements to all categories of workers.
He added that the incumbent administration has paid gratuity to retired workers up to December, 2022, and thanked the governor for his goodwill in identifying with the aspirations of civil servants and caring for their wellbeing.
He disclosed that a standing committee was already looking into the possibility of payment of thirty-thousand-naira minimum wage and a pay rise sequel to the forty percent pay raise by the federal government.
On the payment of 2017/2018 gratuity for local government workers, the Head of Service made it clear that the state government detected ambiguity in the process, saying that immediately the issue has gotten addressed, payment would be made because Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu would not like to leave any outstanding payment of gratuity behind.
Governor Atiku Bagudu congratulated the newly elected State NLC Chairman, Comrade Murtala Usman and other members of exco on their election, noting that the May Day celebration was the first public event that would have them and himself in attendance.
The governor also thanked the past labour leaders while personally leading the gathering to observe moment of silence and pray for the repose of the souls of those who died in the unfortunate incident recorded in Danko-Wasagu Local Government on Sunday.
Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu also commented on the unfortunate event recorded a few days ago during which some security agents attacked KAEDCO Staff in Birnin Kebbi praying that such an incident would never reoccur.
The governor directed the Secretary to the State Government to hold consultations with both parties to resolve all the issues and come up with an amicable solution.
Bagudu thanked the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, for their support for his administration since eight years ago which facilitated improved welfare for workers and industrial peace in the state.
The governor described Kebbi state as most worker-friendly in Nigeria and the first or second to implement the new minimum wage.
He also described the incoming governor as a remarkable trade unionist who would strengthen government- labour relations- Team@orientactualmags.com
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