The President of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) Dr Abel Afolayan has disclosed that pensioners would benefit from the N30,000 new minimum wage .
Speaking at the NUP National Executive Council meeting in Ibadan, Dr Afolayan declared that the Acting Chairman, National Salaries and Wages Commission, Mr Ekpo Nta, has assured the union that the circular on the new minimum wage would be released at the same time.
“The Federal Government and the organized labour finally signed the agreement on minimum wage and the attendant adjustment for all categories of workers. The next in line is the pensioners. I know all of you are very agitated to know how far we have gone on this matter, especially when it has become a common knowledge that pensioners are already due for a review since 2015, having last enjoyed a meagre 33.4% increment since July, 2010,” he said.
Dr Afolayan added, “after several attempts, on Thursday 31 October 2019, as many of you might have seen and read in the news media, we were able to sit together at a meeting with the Chairman, Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, Mr. Ekpo Nta. The Chairman assured us that the circular for the wage increase will be issued simultaneously with the workers, having tabled the issues together at the tripartite negotiation meeting where the agreement on Minimum Wage was reached.”
“We are together with the NLC on this struggle for the Minimum Pension and we were told to wait for the official release of the much-expected circular for the workers, then we shall pick it up from there. I want to assure you that definitely, there shall be light at the end of the tunnel.”
Dr Afolayan however tasked the union’s leaders to inform membrrs about the latest development, saying “on this note, I implore you to please take this message of hope to all our pensioners in your respective states. If we could not get the minimum pension this time, one thing is sure, the corresponding pension increment will not elude us.”
Oyo state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde represented by his Commissioner for education, Prof. Daud Sangodoyin stressed that his government had on September 3 this year approved the sum of N1.4 billion to be paid to Primary schools teachers and local government workers for their gratuities.
Governor Makinde said “this NEC meeting calls for everyone of us to look at the issues and challenges that are facing pensioners in Nigeria and come out with a distinct solution that will see both the Federal Government, and state governments in ensuring the welfare of pensioners. In September 3, the governor has approved N1.4 billion to be paid to primary schools teachers and local government workers for their gratuities.”
