Minna – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has disclosed that the Niger State Government is owing pensioners over N50 billion in gratuities and death benefits.
The Chairman of the Congress in the state, Comrade Yakubu Garba over the weekend also warned the state government not to invoke its “no work no pay threat”, adding that “we will sue them”.
He made this disclosure during an interview with journalists at the NUT Secretariat in Minna after the State Executive Council meeting of the Nigeria Union of Teachers and annual prayers for the plight of teachers in the state.
Garba said the entire state government finance for a period of one year cannot pay liabilities owed workers in the state.
“The pensioners, whom the state government owes up to the tune of over N50 billion, and we have the rights to go to court.
” If they say they will invoke no work no pay, then we will explore constitutional provision and see who will win.
“We will ensure the organised labour sues the state government if it invoke its threat of no work no pay against workers who are legitimately struggling for better condition of service.
“I assure you the state account will be garnished.
” If we insist on 100 per cent implementation of our demands, then nothing in the state can move. But what we are asking is for government to listen to us and be reasonable in meeting some of our demands,” he said.
Furthermore, he disclosed that the organised labour has issued to the state government a 14-day ultimatum to meet its various demands or face industrial action. (vitalnews)
