Members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners said they will on
Friday embark on a massive nationwide protest over the failure of the
government to increase their pension.
Outgoing President of the NUP, Abel Afolayan, disclosed this
in Abuja at the 11th quadrennial delegate conference of the union on Wednesday.
He said his members would ground the Office of the Secretary
to the Government of the Federation during the protest.
Afolayan told newsmen that the union had issued to the federal government an ultimatum on the protest but nothing has been done, insisting that the pensioners cannot continue to languish in abject poverty amidst rising prices of daily needs.
The senior citizen said, “We are protesting because they
have refused to release the letter of pension increment consequential upon the
minimum wage and salary adjustment to workers, two years after that was done.
“The welfare of pensioners are still terrible. The
pensioners are not being treated well at all. Many pensioners are suffering.
Some earn as low as N5,000 and they are not being paid as and when due. Even as
we speak now, the pension increase, consequential upon the national minimum
wage and salary adjustment, is yet to be effected two years after those of the
workers have been done.”
But the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige said
the federal government was mindful of the sacrifices and contributions of
retirees to the nation and is committed to taking necessary steps to address
welfare issues.
Ngige, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary,
Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr Yerima Tarfa, said the lingering
issue of consequential adjustment to pension of Nigerian pensioners has been
overdue since 2019 when the new Minimum Wage Act was signed into law by the
President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
He assured that the ministry has taken the lead in ensuring
that the review is achieved.
He said, “Distinguished senior citizens, permit me to use
this opportunity to inform you that the Federal Government is mindful of your
sacrifices and contributions to the Nigerian project and is committed to taking
necessary steps to address issues that border on improving your welfare.
“My ministry has decided to take the lead on the lingering
issue of consequential adjustment to pension of Nigerian pensioners which had
been overdue since 2019 when the new Minimum Wage Act was signed into law by
Mr. President. In this regard, therefore, we are hopeful that working with
other agencies of government, there would be some light at the end of the
tunnel.”
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba,
decried the plight of pensioners in the country, adding that the condition of
pensioners is lamentable.
He said, “I call on governments to prioritise the payment of
pensioners as and when due. The issue is not of fund to pay but priority. Imo
State remain the worst in payment.”
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