NLC seeks Harmonisation of Salaries

The Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress in Anambra State, Mr Patrick Obianyo, on Tuesday called for the harmonisation of the salaries of workers in federal and state services to enhance productivity.

Obianyo made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Awka.

He said this was also necessary to protect workers in states where their governments had refused to fully implement the national minimum wage.

“The Nigerian worker I must tell you is not satisfied, the welfare package is poor, and putting it side by side with the earnings of politicians you will understand that 35 years in service does not give so much reason to be happy.

“A director in the state can hardly rent a block of flat and may not be able to build a modest home in his village where he will retire to after years of meritorious service.

“There should be salary harmonisation for workers in the federal and state services; a better salary arrangement would also reduce the graft in the public service.

“I can tell you that what we are paid is not realistic; the engine room of the country’s economic growth and development should not continue in this poor working condition,” he said.

The NLC chairman noted that the increase in recurrent expenditure had not translated into

better working environment or welfare of workers.

“Labour has not had fair share in the distribution of the national wealth,” Obianyo noted, adding that wages should reflect the economic reality in the country.

The labour leader further called for a reduction in the pay package of political office holders, insisting that they were the major beneficiaries of increase in recurrent expenditure.

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