The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for a review of civil servants’ retirement age to 65 years, as well as an increase in years of service to 40 in the entire public sector.
The NLC president, Joe Ajaero, made the call on Monday during the 2023 Workers’ Day celebrations in Abuja.
The president also called for a general review of core civil servant salaries in order to close the pay gap between other civil servants and those in different sectors of the public sector.
He stated that the extension of years of service should be repeated, as it had been done in other sectors of the country’s public service.
“There are only a few others.”
Establishments, including the core civil service, have been excluded.
“As a result, we demand that the retirement age and length of service in the entire public sector, including the civil service, be raised to 65 years of age and 40 years of service,” Ajaero said.
According to him, the union had repeatedly requested a salary review but had received no response from the federal government.
“It is worth recalling that we have consistently demanded that the salaries of core civil servants be increased in order to close the wage gap with those in other segments of the public service.”
“They all have the same educational qualifications and work experience.” So, what’s the difference?”
Ajaero inquired.
Concerning gratuity payments, the NLC president stated that union leaders had presented the issue to the government on several occasions with no positive response.
“Fellow comrades, we have repeatedly raised the issue of gratuity payment to the government, but nothing has been done.”
“As you are all aware, the concept of employee gratuity payment is based on the notion that those who have worked for public institutions or private enterprises are entitled to the proverbial golden handshake from their employers.”
“Thus, a gratuity is a monetary benefit given by an employer to his/her employee at the time of retirement without the worker making any financial contribution whatsoever to the fund,” he explained.
Such a lump sum, according to him, is meant to enable the retiree to finance any post-retirement endeavour of his/her choice.
“The Pension Act did not abolish gratuity payment, and we demand its restoration in many public sectors where it has been stopped, ” the labour leader said.
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