NLC writes Mimiko over unpaid salaries
The Comrade Aliyu Wabah-led Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has written an open letter to the Governor of Ondo State over the unpaid, five months workers’ salaries.
In a letter, issued, on Sunday, in Abuja, and handed to the Daily Times, the NLC leadership stated that it was aware of the current economic situation in the country but believed the trend would not have dragged to five months.
The letter stated “I wish to convey to you the compliments of the Nigeria Labour Congress and to request your urgent re-consideration and intervention in the matter of non-payment of salaries and pensions which has led to a strike action in the state.
“Your Excellency, we are not unaware of the present socio-economic challenges in the country. However, in our estimation, this should not be an acceptable reason for not paying five months salaries and pensions at the level of the state, and four months salaries and pensions at the level of local government and teachers.
“Sir, you do not need a lecture from anyone, to know that non-payment of salaries and pensions for months on end, constitutes a crime against the workers, pensioners and their families whose lives and obligation to Man and God and their sense of self-worth have been put in jeopardy. As one with activist background and one with whom we have had collaboration these issues are clear and self-evident, and therefore need no belabouring.
“Your Excellency, in these difficult moments in our nation, we no doubt have limited choices, but choices, all the same. One of these choices is to take a critical look at government expenditure, especially in the areas of political appointments, patronage and allied costs. We similarly call for the renewed drive in the internally-generated revenue. We have reason to believe that when these initiatives are complimented by the bail-out funds released by the Federal Government, the twin issues of salaries and pensions will not be such a burden.”
