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Socialist Democracy September - October 2003

 

WORKERS, PENSIONERS GROAN OVER UNPAID WAGES

By Toyin Raheem

The civil servants in Lagos State may be in for another four years of agony under the governorship of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The pensioners in Lagos state are no exception. Most workers that were unjustifiably retrenched or retired by Tinubu's government are yet to be paid their full entitlements. Very few that were lucky to have received their gratuities are yet to be receiving stipends being given them as pensions.

It will be recalled that Comrade Ayodele Akele, the chairman, Lagos State Council of Industrial Unions (COIU), the arrow head of the struggle for the implementation of the new minimum wage of N7,500 was one of the victims of the unjust retrenchment in the Lagos civil service by the AD government of Bola Tinubu.

Many of the retired civil servants in Lagos state who spoke with us wondered why a government should be indifferent to the suffering of workers. They asked whether the excuse of paucity of fund by the government is tenable.

Meanwhile, the Bola Tinubu government has enough money to appoint several advisers, engage in unnecessary overseas trips, build an unnecessary fourth mainland bridge at the expense of many bad roads in the state.

Another civil servant who works in Alausa secretariat put his words this way: "It seems the government does not belief we have our family to take care of and the need for us to feed ourselves, hence they pay our salary anytime they feel like. Many leave allowances are still being owed and in fact, we are more or less beggars as to receive our salaries and entitlements".

The teachers are not left behind. A teacher in one of the secondary schools in Agege Local Government actually confirmed that with August going to an end, their July salary was yet to be paid. We actually investigated and confirmed that May salary was paid just about three weeks ago while June salary was paid about two weeks ago.

The DSM demands that all salary arrears, allowances and pensions should be paid without further delay while subsequent ones should be paid as at when due. If Tinubu cannot fulfil this basic function of government, the working people should demand that he resigns immediately. We shall continue to support the workers and pensioners in fighting for their legitimate rights.

 

 

Socialist Democracy September - October 2003