Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Benue State chapter, has said
it voted Governor Samuel Ortom for a second term in office because of his
manner of handling the issues of unpaid salaries in the state.
Chairman of the Council, Godwin Anya disclosed this during
his speech to mark Workers’ day in Makurdi on Wednesday.
He explained that it would also be easier to tackle the
issue of unpaid salaries with the Ortom administration rather than another
government.
Anya argued that now that labour has fulfilled it part of
the bargain by voting the Governor, it has become necessary for him to also
fulfill his part of the social contract by paying workers their unpaid
emoluments.
He said, “Recall your Excellency that during the period of
campaigns, you visited the Labour House and solicited for the support of Benue
workers in your quest for the reelection bid.
“I wish to officially inform you that Benue workers accepted
your appeal and voted massively for you; that is why today you have been
returned.
“The reason why we voted for you was simple and that you are
the one who is owing us and you understand the issues on ground, therefore, we
are convinced that it will be easier tackling these issues with your
administration.
“Your Excellency, let me remind you that we have kept our
own part of the bargain of that social contract in which you entered with us
through a ‘gentlemen agreement,’ and it’s now left for you to also keep your
side of the deal by paying us everything that you are owing us.”
He however pointed out that since both government and labour
were in a celebration mood, soon after his inauguration, there would be need
for both to sit together and find lasting solutions to issues bordering on the
welfare of workers.
The issues he said that labour would bring to the
negotiation table include salary arrears of state and local government workers
as well as primary school teachers; the new minimum wage; pensions and gratuity
as well as 65 years retirement age of non-teaching staff in tertiary
institutions among others.
Thus, Anya advised workers in the state to demonstrate more
commitment, dedication and honesty in the discharge of their duties.
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