‘The cost of living has skyrocketed. Food, healthcare and transportation have become increasingly expensive. We cannot allow the pensions of senior citizens to remain at poverty levels’ – those were the words of the Nigerian Labour leader.
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC President, Joe Ajaero has also urged pensioners in Federal, State and Local Governments to challenge any oppressive and repressive government that will deny them their entitlements and benefits after long years of service.
The NLC President who was speaking on Thursday at the inauguration of some projects by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners in Abuja, argued that rising living costs have made it imperative for government to review pension benefits to ensure retirees live in dignity.
Organised Labour called for stronger advocacy on Pensioners’ welfare and announced that Labour would push for the establishment of a national minimum pension, alongside ongoing efforts to secure a review of the national minimum wage.
Ajaero stressed that it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active service, while describing the inauguration as a significant achievement and a testament to the resilience and collective strength of pensioners despite prevailing economic challenges.
He urged Pensioners to remain organised and united, insisting that the struggle for improved welfare for pensioners remains a shared responsibility for workers and retirees.
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Editor: Ken Eseni
