The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has called on South-West governors to speed up the implementation of the minimum wage in their respective states.
In a statement by the Zonal Chairman of PENGASSAN, Lagos Zone, Comrade Eyam Abeng, this was the fallout of its Zonal Executive Council’s first quarter meeting in Lagos.
“We call on our respective state governors (Lagos, Osun, Ekiti, Ogun, Kwara, Oyo and Ondo) to rapidly implement the minimum wages, ensure effective distribution of palliative materials and increased FAAC allocation be channelled towards verifiable, visible and sustainable socio-economic projects such as affordable healthcare delivery, infrastructural development, quality education and enhanced security of life and properties.
“Despite the enormous challenges in the country, especially with the subsidy removal and floating of the naira, which has seriously impacted negatively on our members take home pay and continue to erode their purchasing power, we are forging ahead to making our Zone an enviable one,” Abeng said.
According to Abeng, the value of the naira cannot improve from its free fall unless the government takes practical steps and strong will to increase productivity, exportation and reduce importation. Related News NLC yet to determine new minimum wage, says Ajaero No decision yet on minimum wage – NLC UPDATED: NLC demands N794,000 minimum wage for workers in South West
He explained that one practical way towards achieving that objective was by providing necessary support to Small and Medium Enterprises through transparent provision of grants, tax holidays and improved power availability.
“We advise the government to input all efforts to end wanton killings and kidnapping by armed bandits and insurgents across the country. We are also calling on the government to invest recovered loot in developmental programmes, such as power, education, health, and transportation infrastructures instead of sharing it among the “supposed” poor, which can make such loot be re-looted,” he noted.
According to Abeng, while PENGASSAN applauded the collaboration between the management of oil firms and branches in ensuring industrial harmony and increased productivity, it would not tolerate or compromise its members’ welfare.
“We resolved key issues like integrating Sterling Services into Sterling Oil and addressing redundancy and IR issues at Prime 127 and Addax Petroleum. Since assuming leadership, we have implemented programsme to align with global industrial relations practices. We have successfully resolved disputes and closed legacy issues while finalising Collective Bargaining Agreements and Wage Reopeners for many branches,” the Lagos Zonal chairman added.
Meanwhile, the association called on the Federal Government to honour its agreements with labour, particularly regarding the minimum wage increase and the completion of the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.