Bayelsa NLC urges speedy implementation of new minimum wage

The Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has pleaded with the state governors to ensure speedy implementation of the N30,000 new minimum wage.NLC Chairman in the state, John Ndiomu, who stated this yesterday while speaking with journalists in Yenagoa, also commended Bayelsa State government for its directive for implementation of the payment of promotion arrears to civil servants in the state.

Ndiomu, who is seeking for another term as chairman of NLC, said when he returns as the labour leader, he would tackle the issue of gratuity for retired civil servants in the state.He said the labour union under him had pressed on the government to employed about 1,500 graduates into the state civil service to replace those that have retired.

Besides, he said the union also fought for the workers that had temporary appointments, which forced the government to take data of the affected people and its directive for the employment of the affected people.He said: “When I came into office as a chairman in 2014, some members of staff in the Ministry of Employment and Environment had issues and they were not paid their salaries for three months. We fought to ensure that over 160 affected members of staff were paid.

“We also had promotion that were outstanding in 2016, we secured the first promotion for civil servants. After 2015 election, about 200 members of staff were involved in some election issues, their salaries were stopped, we fought as labour leaders to ensure that they were brought back to the system.”