Taraba govt silent on New Minimum Wage

EMMANUEL AWAR, Jalingo
Workers in Taraba State went home disappointed due to lack of commitment by the state government on the new minimum wage of N30, 000 which was signed into law by President Mohammadu Buhari.
Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku represented by his Deputy, Haruna Manu, could not make any pronouncements regarding the new minimum wage, which provoked many workers, thereby leaving the venue without the last National Anthem.
The Governor commended Taraba workers for their cooperation and support and urged them to maintain the tempo.
He called on workers to use the period for sober reflection and avoid truancy amongst other vices, saying that the Government on it’s part would continue to provide enabling environment for workers to operate.
He appealed for collaboration between the workers and State Government for prosperous civil service and urged them to exhibit high form of partrotism.
Earlier in his address, the state chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress , NLC, Commrad Peter Gambo said: ” We are committed to providing a leadership in the labour movement in Taraba State that can mitigate the misery of the workers, a leadership that can pant the waters and lead the labour movement in the direction of the promised Land and lift the boat stuck at the bottom”.
He commended the state government for regular payment of monthly salaries, pension and commencement of payment of gratuities and appealed for industrial harmony in the state.
” With the signing into law the new Minimum wage of N30,000 by PMB, we express hope that our Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku and his Government will not hesitate to commence the implementation of the package which is long over due to boost the morale of workers in Taraba State for maximum productivity in the civil service”.
He appealed for training and re training of civil servants to enable them be in tune with modern skills and knowledge to enhance productivity.
He called on the Government to provide window for the absorption of jobless youths to fill in the gap in the state civil service, adding that both the senior and middle cadre are over bloated while the lower cadre lacks the manpower.
He further called on the State Government to look into the issue of the outstanding salaries of local government staff and primary school teachers with a view to settling them.
” We thank the state government for it’s support which has continued to ensure good partnership between it and the labour and call for the sustenance of the gesture in the interest of the state”- h said.
” We appeal to all Tarabans to eschew all forms of bitterness and work towards the development of the state, Dialogue remains the best option of all conflict”- he added.
In his remarks, the state chairman of the Trade Union Congress TUC, Comrade Victor Olatunji, congratulate Comrade Peter Gambo for his re election in the just concluded State delegates Conference and wish him a successful tenure.
He gave the 2019 May Day theme as : ” Another 100 years of Struggle for jobs, Dignity and Social justice in Nigeria”.
He disclosed that so many arms of Government such as State and Local Government are not finding it easy to sustain payment of salaries and emoluments.
” Workers can no longer take care of themselves and family and the demands of the extended family and friends are becoming unbearable”- he said.
” Unemployment ratio in the country has led to Youths restiveness and the rate of crimes such as Kiddnapings, Tape, Armed robbery and other vices in our society which Taraba State is not left out”- he added.
He called on Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku to use his good office to create space in the state civil service for Youths that have graduated from one institution or the other for gainful employment not forgetting the 3,000 teachers injected into the workforce in recent times.
He thanked workers who supported the struggles for the N30,000 new minimum wage which the National Assembly passed and PMB signed into law.
” I want to use this opportunity to appeal to our amiable Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku to be an example to other states by being the first to implement the N30,000 Minimum wage for Taraba State workers, this would boost our moral”.
He disclosed that the Taraba State civil service is being saturated with workers who have served for the mandatory 35 years of service or 60 years of age, but most of them are still manupulating to remain in the service, thereby blocking the chances of progression in the civil service and also killing the dreams of younger graduates from the state whom are roaming the streets due to lack of jobs.
” I want to appeal to such individuals to think twice and be ready to give way for the young stars from the state and local government should also be ready to do the needful by showing such people the way out and deduct whatever extra salaries they have enjoyed from their gratuities. This will serve as a deterant to others”- he said.
Our Correspondent spoke to some workers, this is what they said:
Comrade Yakubu Suleiman: ” I was listening with kindly interest to hear what the state government would say about the new minimum wage, but I was shocked, the Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku who was represented by his Deputy Haruna Manu couldn’t say anything about the issue”.
Abubakar Hassan: ” Infact this is shocking unto us workers, no pronouncement, statement or comments on what is of more important to us workers, well let’s see what the Government would do about it”.
Esther Musa: ” The new minimum wage have already been signed into law, whether the Government like it or not it has to pay us the N30,000 Minimum wage, it’s a National thing”.
The event featured match pastby various Unions and Associations.
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