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The national leadership of the labour movement and the Benue State government have set up a Joint Technical Committee to resolve the disagreement between workers and the state government due to non-payment of salaries.
Briefing journalists after the meeting between the state and organised labour, Governor Samuel Ortom expressed gratitude that the meeting opened a new chapter for workers and government to dialogue.
Ortom regretted that the state government had failed to pay the workers as and when due, noting that there was the need for him to make that confession; as he stressed that the workers deserve their wages.
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The meeting was rewarding, as an understanding was reached between government and the national leadership of the labour unions.
“I have agreed to be open to them and they have agreed to set up a joint technical committee comprising my officials and their officials who are knowledgeable. So, we believe that we will tap from their experience,” Ortom said.
He commended the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for the opportunity to tell his side of the story over the raging war between the state workers and government.
Speaking, National Chairman of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said they have looked at the issues critically and that there was a renewed commitment towards addressing all the lingering issues that have to do with the salary arrears and liabilities.
He said some progress had been made as the state government assured of putting in place modalities to address the salary arrears.
Wabba explained that that the technical committee would look into the state’s high wage bill and make recommendations to authenticate government figures and areas where there are wastages.
