June 10, 2021

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) on Thursday called for further upward review of salaries, amendment of the 2014 Pension Act and expunge sections inimical to pensioners.

The association’s National President, Dr Tommy Okon, said this at a forum organised for Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

According to him, gratuity payment should be embedded in the Act.

“There should be a provision to spell out that this Act does not forbid payment of gratuity by employers.

“The law should not be silent on important matters that affect life; gratuity affects life, ” Okon said.

He however also noted that 10 states were yet to implement the National Minimum Wage signed into law on April 18, 2019.

Okon listed the states as Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Imo, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara.

According to him, some of the states have concluded negotiations, but had yet to implement.

“Anambra and Taraba have concluded negotiations, but have yet to implement; Bauchi, Benue, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kano and Zamfara are in the negotiation stage,” Okon said.

The labour leader said that negotiation had yet to start in Imo.

He urged the state governments to put the wellbeing of their workers into consideration.

The unionist called for further upward review of salaries.

According to him, that would help make state governors to know that delay in payment means accumulation of more debts.

He said that for industrial peace and harmony to reign, governments should not renege on agreements reached with the organised labour.

“Salaries are no longer to be negotiated,” he said. (NAN)