The Plateau State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has commended the administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang for significantly improving workers’ welfare through the clearance of inherited salary arrears, the restoration of regular salary payments, and the reintroduction of annual promotions.
Speaking to journalists in Jos on Saturday, the Plateau State NLC Chairman, Eugene Manji, said the administration had transformed the working environment by eliminating the financial uncertainty that previously fuelled industrial disputes.
According to Manji, the government inherited months of unpaid salaries but promptly settled the outstanding arrears while addressing other long-standing concerns affecting workers.
“When this administration came on board, workers were owed salaries for months; in fact, we were on strike. But this government cleared all the outstanding salaries and addressed other pending concerns of the workers,” he said.
Manji noted that the government has since established a reliable salary payment cycle.
“I can’t remember any time in the last three years that salaries were delayed and exceeded into another month. Specifically, salaries are usually paid either on the 25th or 26th of every month,” he said.
He added that the consistency of salary payments has become so dependable that workers no longer express concerns over delays.
“Payment of salary has been so stable that I no longer receive calls because of delays; civil servants are now paid even on Saturdays and Sundays,” he said.
Beyond prompt salary payments, Manji said the administration had revived annual promotions for civil servants after years of stagnation, providing workers with clearer career progression.
“Unlike before, promotions of civil servants are now on a yearly basis; this government has set a standard for workers to be promoted every January. For us in the NLC, such a move will ensure steady growth for workers and an end to the era of stagnation in the civil service,” he said.
He further highlighted the introduction of intra-city metro buses as a major intervention to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, noting that Plateau workers are among the principal beneficiaries. He also acknowledged the government’s investment in staff training and retraining programmes aimed at improving public service delivery.
“So, we can categorically say that the current administration in the state is worker-friendly because it has motivated civil servants with an improved welfare package,” Manji said.
He, however, urged civil servants to reciprocate the government’s commitment by remaining dedicated, productive, and committed to their responsibilities.
