The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Kaduna State Council, has urged the Kaduna State Government to reinstate 83 workers of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service and Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority, who it said were wrongfully disengaged in 2019.
The council made the appeal in a communique issued in Kaduna on Friday and read by its Chairman, Abdullahi Dan Fulani. The TUC said the affected workers had secured a favourable judgment at the National Industrial Court in Kaduna and disclosed that 13 of them had died since their disengagement.
The council also passed a vote of confidence in Governor Uba Sani, citing his commitment to maintaining a harmonious relationship with organised labour and improving workers’ welfare in the state.
Speaking through the communique, the council said Governor Sani approved the reinstatement of 37 wrongfully disengaged staff of the Local Government Service Commission on August 15.
The TUC also commended the administration for the free CNG luxury bus scheme, saying it had reduced workers’ transportation costs and improved punctuality and productivity.
However, the council appealed to the governor to extend the free CNG transportation scheme to Kafanchan and Zaria so that workers in the areas could also benefit.
The council further commended the resuscitation of the Civil Service Welfare Loan Scheme, which allows workers to access loans ranging from N400,000 to N1.5 million.
According to the TUC, the loans are repayable over four years at relatively low interest rates.
The council also appreciated training programmes organised through the Office of the Head of Service to improve workers’ skills and professionalism.
It commended the timely payment of salaries, the creation of the Office of the Special Adviser on Labour Matters and the 50 per cent reduction in institutional fees.
The TUC, however, appealed to Governor Sani to approve consequential adjustments for core civil servants.
The council also urged the government to review the proposed relocation of the Union of Tipper and Quarry Employers of Nigeria from Badiko Tipper Garage to Mahuta.
It said the proposed Mahuta location lacked adequate security, access roads and other essential facilities required for the union’s operations.
The TUC called on relevant authorities, particularly the Kaduna State Geographic Information Service (KADGIS), to engage the union towards finding a mutually acceptable solution.
The TUC reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful and constructive cooperation with the state government in promoting justice, fairness and inclusive governance.
