ABEOKUTA– As the world celebrates the 2024 Pensioners Day, the Ogun state arm of the body has called on the state government to review its consequential increase and adjustment in pensions accrued to retirees.
The state chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Waidi Oloyede stated this while delivering his speech at the event held at the Union’s Secretariat in Abeokuta, weekend.
Oloyede noted that though the consequential increase review committee was inaugurated at the instance of the governor, in 2022, nothing has so far been heard from the committee till date.
He added that instead, paltry earnings of retirees remain the same despite the economic downturn, whereas the mainstream workers has been enjoying wage increase since 2020.
“May I use this medium to inform you that another most important request agitating the minds of the elderly is the issue of the consequential increase in pensions.
” You are to be further informed that the consequential increase review committee that was inaugurated at your instance by the Secretary to the state government on the 19th July, 2022, had it’s inaugural and only meeting on the 2nd of August, 2022.
“The committee, is expected to work through the approved 2019 federal government circular on consequential adjustment of pension, and make recommendations to your Excellency for approval.
” To our dismay, nothing has been heard as outcome from the committee. Paltry earnings of the very long standing retirees remain the same in the wake of the economic downturn. Whereas the mainstream workers had been enjoying wage increase since 2020, and of recent, a 40% peculiar allowance increase to basic earnings beginning from August, 2023 had been paid to them to further cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy as they now await a new national wage increase”, Oloyede said
The chairman therefore called for a representation of the union, along other organize labor at the negotiation forum to be constituted in respect of the new national wage increase.
This, according to Oloyede would further enhance the economic value of the earnings of the retirees, in consonance with the federal government directive.
