The organised labour in Kebbi state under the leadership of comrade Umar Halidu Alhassan Saturday joined millions of workers in the Nigeria to mark this years workers day.
The day which today turned 132 years old was celebrated at a low key due to COVID-19 pandemic.
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It was held at the presidential lodge Birnin kebbi, well attended by the executive governor of Kebbi state Senator Atiku Bagudu, his deputy Colonel Samaila Yombe, Acting Head of Service, Sufiyan Bena, Commissioners and Labour affiliates.
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In his welcome address, the state chairman of the Nigeria labour congress Kebbi Area Council, Comrade Umar Halidu Alhassan presented the union’s demands to the governor which include payments of gratuities to the retired civil servants in the state and the payments of 2020 leave grants to both state, local governments and LGEAS in the state.
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The unionists also demand a functional health insurance cover for all workers in the state kebbi through contributory health insurance scheme (KECHEMA) which said is yet to fully take off in the state.
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He added that healthcare givers in the state like doctors, nurses and other health professionals are being exposed to covid19 he called on the state government to pay them hazard allowances, Umar used the occasion to condole the state government over the unwarranted killing of DPO, local vigilante and civilians in Sakaba local government area of kebbi state.
In his response, the executive governor of kebbi state Senator Atiku Bagudu thanked the organised labour for their patience and understanding.
According to him, since he came onboard he maintains a very good relationship with the organised labour, adding they (NLC) are aware of the burden of gratuities his government inhirated and how far they have gone in trying to clear the debts.
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Bagudu stated that amid dwindling resources state government still pays salaries, runs the government and put in some infrastructure in the state, he directed the union to liase with the ministry of finance for a way out.
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On the 2020 leave grants, he told workers that, the state cannot afford to pay but asked NLC to meet with SSG and head of service to fine tune on how best to assist workers.
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Bagudu who ascribed the federal government inability to stop the spread of banditry and terrorism to poor funds said Buhari has the will to fund the security agencies in the country but could not due poor revenues.
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He urged Nigerians to support the president economic diversification programm such agriculture and solid minerals development.
