THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it will take action against the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) over withheld check-off dues of Electricity Sector Retirees Welfare Association (ESREWA), one of the chapters of the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN), an affiliate of NLC.
ESREWA is the umbrella body of former electricity workers of the defunct government-owned electricity company, NEPA, who retired into the Defined Benefit Scheme pension arrangement.
President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, stated this in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the National Executive Council (NEC) members of ESREWA, led by its National President, Elder Benjamin Amako, to congratulate him on the efforts of his leadership in the interest of workers and pensioners.
ESREWA asked Ajaero not to relent in fighting for the interest of workers and pensioners, especially on the issue of a new minimum wage and pensions.
Amako, who spoke on behalf of the NEC members, charged NLC to be the strength, voice and advocate of all pensioners in the country. They also presented him with a card gift and prayed for him and his executive members.
Reacting, Ajaero thanked the ESREWA representatives and urged them to always communicate their challenges to the NLC as their main umbrella body in the country.
Ajaero said: “Please tell us your challenges. As your labour centre, we are here for you. You worked for this country, fought, locked gates and picketed in the interest of workers at the time you had the energy. It is our turn to do those things for you now.
“I am aware you are having challenges with PTAD regarding your check-off. We have to give that issue the full weight of labour so that they know you are an affiliate of a labour centre.
“As pensioners, it is our duty to ensure you remain comfortable because you worked for this country. I am charging you today, whatever issue you are having, do a letter to us and let us know so that we will prepare for action against them properly.
“At a time when every Nigerian is suffering due to government policies, we don’t expect any agency of the same government to add more problems for you.
“We are ready to walk with you. And I am talking about NLC as a labour centre. We are ready to fight for the issues and challenges affecting all pensioners’ unions.
“So we will try to solve your problems with whomever because you can no longer lock gate if you say you want to go on picketing. You have locked gates when you had the strength. But now people like us are the ones to lock gate on your behalf. It will be wrong for the NLC to sit down and watch you retirees be in the streets protesting or picketing. If PTAD is the agency that is giving you problems, the NLC will mobilise and shut them down. That is why we are here for you.
“We want you to eat the fruit of your labour. You have laboured and toiled for this country day and night, and this is the time for you to eat the fruit of your labour. The most we can do is to make sure that your condition improves and your challenges are being taken care of. The NLC is ready anytime to take over the challenges affecting workers and pensioners, especially when it is their right.”
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