Enugu Labour Unions Urge Mbah to Implement ₦32,000 Pension, Restore Leave Allowance

Labour leaders in Enugu State have called on Governor Peter Mbah to implement the approved ₦32,000 minimum pension for retirees and reinstate annual leave allowances for workers.

The appeal was made on Friday during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration held at Michael Okpara Square in Enugu, themed “Insecurity and Poverty: Bane of Decent Work”.

Speaking at the event, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Fabian Nwigbo, commended the government for ongoing reforms and welfare initiatives, but said some approved measures were yet to be implemented.

He urged the state government to begin payment of the ₦32,000 minimum pension to retirees across both state and local government levels, and to settle outstanding gratuity arrears approved earlier in February 2026.

Mr Nwigbo also called for consequential salary adjustments in line with the new minimum wage, proper implementation of teachers’ salary structures, and payment of domestic servant allowances based on current wage benchmarks.

He further demanded full implementation of CONHES and hazard allowances for health workers, completion of labour secretariat projects, and the reversal of the suspension of annual leave allowances.

Other requests included the provision of low-cost housing for workers, the absorption of long-serving casual workers into the civil service, and sustained training programmes to improve productivity.

Addressing the theme of the celebration, Mr Nwigbo said insecurity and poverty remained major obstacles to decent work in Nigeria. However, he credited the state government with improving security and restoring economic activities, particularly through efforts to end sit-at-home disruptions.

Similarly, the state chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Simeon Akaeme, echoed many of the demands, noting that several had already received government approval but were yet to be implemented.

He also called for the provision of operational vehicles for labour unions to support their activities, while urging workers to remain united and resilient.

Mr Akaeme said progress in labour movements depended on collective action and called on governments and employers to prioritise workers’ welfare as a foundation for sustainable development.

Responding on behalf of the governor, the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, acknowledged the concerns raised and said the government remained committed to improving workers’ welfare.

He noted that progress had already been made in areas including pension payments, wage implementation, infrastructure development and security, adding that the administration would continue to engage labour unions.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Felix Nnamani, said reforms in digital governance had improved efficiency in the state’s civil service.

He said the transition from manual to electronic systems, alongside training programmes for civil servants, had enhanced service delivery. He also noted that the state had exceeded the federal minimum wage benchmark and aligned salary structures across sectors.

Mr Nnamani praised the governor’s leadership and urged workers to remain committed to their duties to sustain economic growth.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria