Kogi State Government has been urged to look into the harmonisation of the pension take home between the old pensioners and the new ones who had just retired on the same old grade level and steps.
The Chairman of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Kogi State Council, Clement Ohida made the appeal in an address delivered on the occasion of the celebration of National Pensioners Day at the Union Secretariat in Lokoja.
Engineer Ohida said an agreement was reached at the Labour Leader Committee on the new minimum wage for Kogi workers in the year 2022 that the harmonisation of pension for retirees between 2004 to 2012 should be effected.
He however expressed worry that the agreement has not been honoured despite constitutional provision for five yearly increase to pensioners particularly those at the Local Government level.
He also appealed to the State Government to look into the consistent of the plight of the primary schools teachers who are on percentage payment as well as considering pensioners for the palliatives to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy.
The state Chairman also appealed to the State Government to learn from the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to address the issues gratuity and pensions to federal and state workers with federal share particularly those Ajaokuta Steel Company and Nigeria Iron Ore and Mining Company Itakpe.
While commending the state government for the prompt payment of state salaries and pension as well as the release of one hundred million Naira for the part payment gratuities, Engineer Ohida emphasized that the union had acquired a parcel of land to be developed as the secretariat and commercial development when fund is available.
In a remark, the Trade Union Vice Chairman, Mr Obajemu Samuel said pensioners should be exempted from task and also advised government to give them free services in health care sector to make their lives long.
Similarly in his good will message, the immediate past Treasurer of the Union, Mr Isaac Jegede said the le sinners in the past have resorted to fasting and prayers to press home their demands noting that government usually assist with some funds to celebrate the National Pensioners Day.
Also speaking, the immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Onuh Edoka who was represented by the State Chairman of the Nationsl Union Of Local Government Employees, Mr Tade Adeyemi said pensioners have been having a strenuous experience particularly at the local government level and affirmed that labour issues are always tailored towards pensioner’s union which is the final abode of all workers.
