In what appears to be departure from the past, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to push for the introduction of a national minimum pension for retired workers in its nationwide campaign for a review of the current national minimum wage.
Speaking on Sunday during the inauguration of the Godwin Abumisi Pensioners’ Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja, the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, said the labour movement would no longer focus only on improving the welfare of workers in active service without giving equal attention to the plight of pensioners.
While revealing that the organised labour had reached the preparatory stage of what he described as a major national campaign for a comprehensive review of the country’s minimum wage, he noted that discussions about workers’ welfare must also address the living conditions of retired public servants who devoted their productive years to serving the nation.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress is currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
“However, it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service,” the NLC President stated.
Comrade Ajero described the situation facing many retirees as unacceptable, declaring that they should not be left to struggle after years of dedicated service.
“It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement,” he added.
The NLC President noted that the rising cost of living and persistent inflation have made life even more uncomfortable and burdensome for many pensioners across the country.
He noted with concern that many retirees now survive on pensions that can no longer meet their basic needs, stressing that the situation requires urgent government intervention.
“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” Ajero pointed out.
To this end, Comrade Ajero called on pensioners to remain united and prepare to support the campaign for improved retirement benefits, adding that the Congress will continue to press for the immediate payment of outstanding pension arrears and the introduction of a pension system that guarantees financial security for retirees.