"NLC Demands Immediate Implementation of N35,000 Wage Award for Kogi Workers Amidst Economic Hardships"

 

 On May Day, the Organized Labour in Kogi State passionately advocated for the immediate implementation of the N35,000 wage award for workers in the state. Addressing the gathering in Lokoja, the Kogi State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Gabriel Amari, emphasized that the current N30,000 National Minimum Wage was insufficient to meet the basic needs of workers in the prevailing market conditions of the country.

Amari stressed the urgency of the wage adjustment, highlighting the relentless rise in the costs of goods and services, which continuously erodes the purchasing power of workers. He proposed that until the long-awaited negotiations for a new minimum wage are concluded and put into effect, the wage award would serve as a temporary relief for workers grappling with the current economic hardships.

The NLC urged the Kogi State Government to align itself with other states that have already heeded the recommendations of the President regarding the payment of wage awards to Nigerian workers. By doing so, Kogi would demonstrate its commitment to the welfare and well-being of its workforce.

Specific concerns raised by the Organized Labour included the payment of weigh-in allowance for workers in media houses, restoration of the 27.5% teachers’ peculiar allowance for teachers in primary and secondary schools, issuance of all outstanding promotion letters to deserving workers, payment of the 2018 20 per cent balance of the three-month percentage salary for state workers, full implementation of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for all health workers, provision of affordable owner-occupier housing for workers, and provision of operational vehicles, financial interventions, and recruitment for parastatals and ministries, especially in vital sectors such as Kogi Radio, Sports Councils, Graphic Newspaper, and Kogi State Fire Service.

Furthermore, the NLC Chairman drew attention to the security challenges facing Kogi State, acknowledging the impact of insecurity on the productivity of workers and the overall economic growth of the state. He highlighted recent incidents of violence, kidnappings, and attacks by herdsmen, emphasizing the need for robust security measures to safeguard lives and properties.

In conclusion, the NLC called upon Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to prioritize intelligence gathering and support community policing initiatives to complement law enforcement efforts. The NLC emphasized the importance of addressing workers' welfare and security concerns to ensure a conducive environment for economic growth and development in Kogi State.

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