The South-South zonal forum of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners has called for the harmonization of their pensions to be a living wage.
A communique signed by the Chairman, William Seleipere and the Secretary, Obong Cosmas Essien and made available to our correspondent in Uyo on Wednesday, said the forum regrets that some of its members receive between N1500 to N3000 as pension monthly even amid the high cost of goods and services in the country.
The forum observed that most of the state governments do not implement their demands over the years and called on members to impress on the governments of their various states to ensure they accede to the demands.
The pensioners also called on the Committee on Living Wages to consider pensioners for living pensions, since their conditions are deplorable.
According to the communique, "The South-South Council observed with dismay that some pensioners are still earning N1,500, N2,000, N3,000 and therefore urge all State Governments to harmonize the increase on the low-income earning pensioners."
However, the Zonal Council expressed appreciation to Akwa lbom State Governor for releasing N14 billion naira for the payment of gratuity to Retired Primary School Teachers, Civil Pensioners and Local Govt. pensioners within his 9 months in office.
They appealed to Akwa Ibom State Government to establish a Pension Commission or Boards or Bureau to handle the subtle issues of pensioners in the state even as they rejected the issue of merging the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, PTAD, with the Federal Ministry of Finance, stressing that the good works of PTAD in the interest of Pensioners were enormous.
On the issue of palliative, the meeting called on all State Governors to include pensioners in their palliative scheme and equally appreciated the state governors who have done the same.
They also appreciated Edo & Bayelsa States that have implemented the Health Insurance Scheme and advised states yet to implement the same.
In his goodwill message during the opening ceremony, Mr Amuboh Orhoghene, the Akwa Ibom State Controller, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment said his ministry will in consultation with the Union and other critical stakeholders continue to push for the review of all relevant Labour laws that will improve the welfare of Pensioners and other workers in Nigeria.
"May I also advise that the tripartite mantra of mutual respect and consultation continually remains the basis for a peaceful relationship between union and its social partners" he added.
Also speaking Mrs Ekereobong Umoh, Chairman Akwa Ibom State Civil Service Commission noted that it is common knowledge that old age comes with constrained ability to work and earn a living and stressed the need to plan ahead on how to survive at this stage of life, as pensions is usually a form of support at such a time.
She urged the Union to use the forum to make Pensioners understand that their contributions will provide them protection in the form of lump sums and pensions to them and in the eventuality of death, to their dependents.
" They should be encouraged to partake in a contributory scheme as an Investment for the future".
The state NLC Chairman, Sunny James in his goodwill message assured the pensioners of the continued partnership of the organized labour to ensure that they receive all their entitlements including living pensions after years of toiling for their fatherland.
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