Organised labour and civil society organisations (CSOs) in Plateau State have threatened to embark on an indefinite picket of the Plateau State House of Assembly unless a proposed bill seeking life pensions and retirement benefits for state lawmakers is withdrawn.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Plateau State Council, in collaboration with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, announced that the protest will commence on July 30. The groups described the proposed legislation as a breach of public trust, particularly at a time when the state is still struggling to settle long-standing pension arrears.
The Chairman of the NLC in Plateau State, Eugene Manji, said organised labour was prepared to sustain the protest until the bill is withdrawn.
“We are picketing the Plateau State House of Assembly on July 30, and we will remain there until this bill is withdrawn. We have the capacity to sustain the protest if necessary,” Manji said.
He accused members of the State House of Assembly of abusing the legislative autonomy for which organised labour and civil society had long advocated.
“Organised labour and civil society groups fought for legislative autonomy to strengthen democratic governance, not to encourage self-enrichment,” he said.
The Plateau State Chairman of the TUC, Kenneth Shammah, also criticised the proposed legislation, arguing that its timing was insensitive given the state’s outstanding pension obligations.
“It is unfortunate that while the government is battling to clear pension arrears dating back to 1986, many parents of these lawmakers are still waiting to receive their pensions. We reject the bill in its entirety,” Shammah said.
The groups also called on Governor Caleb Mutfwang to intervene and stop the bill from progressing, warning that its passage could provoke unnecessary public unrest and heighten tensions across the state.
