From Saka Bolaji, Minna
The Niger state wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has reopened the case for the payment of N18,000 minimum wage to workers by the state government.
The union said the implementation of the federal government policy was long overdue.
The administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan introduced the N18,000 minimum wage with a directive that state governors should negotiate with their workers on the implementation of the policy.
Though the administration of former governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu negotiated with workers and implemented the policy organized labour in the state however claimed what was agreed and being paid fell short of the N18,000 recommended by the federal government.
State chairman of the NUT, Comrade Ibrahim Umar, speaking at the opening of the 6th delegates conference of the union taking place at the Federal College of Education, Kontagora said the case had to be reopened because of the prevailing economic situation in the country.
Umar said: “It is also in similar vein that the union is asking for the implementation of promotion arrears for teachers who have been due for promotion for a long time. The payment of the N18,000 minimum wage and implementation of promotion arrears will serve as motivation for teachers to render quality service”.
Comrade Umar also asked the state government to pay the pension and gratuities to teachers who retired two years ago some of whom ” have met their untimely death” with some others ” turning to beggars on the streets”
Comrade Umar commended the state government for the renovation of public schools being embarked upon by the administration and advised that the tempo should be sustained.
He suggested that government should go beyond schools renovation but should provide the institutions with basic facilities as well as provision of teaching materials to create conducive teaching and learning atmosphere.
Umar said the NUT under his watch and through the Teachers End Well Scheme had expended the sum of N188,102,400 million on landed property towards strengthening the economic status of its members.
In a message to the conference the NUT National President Comrade Michael Alogba Olukoya, commended the Niger State wing of the Union for its achievements and sustain it.
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