News Investigators/ The labour leaders in Enugu State have called on Gov. Peter Mbah to urgently implement the approved N32,000 minimum pension for retirees and reverse the suspension of leave allowance for workers.
They made the appeal on Friday during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Michael Okpara Square, themed “Insecurity and Poverty: Bane of Decent Work.”
Speaking at the event, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Enugu State, Fabian Nwigbo, commended the governor for ongoing reforms and improved welfare initiatives but stressed the need for implementation of pending approvals.
Mr Nwigbo urged the government to begin the payment of the N32,000 minimum pension to retirees across state and local governments, as well as settle outstanding gratuity arrears approved in February 2026.
He also called for consequential salary adjustments reflecting the new minimum wage, proper implementation of teachers’ salary structure, and payment of domestic servant allowance based on the current wage benchmark.
He further appealed for the implementation of 100 per cent CONHESS and hazard allowances for health workers, and completion of labour secretariats
Other demands included provision of low-cost housing for workers, absorption of long-serving casual workers into the civil service, and sustained training programmes to boost productivity.
Speaking on the theme, Nwigbo noted that insecurity and poverty remained major threats to decent work in Nigeria.
He, however, credited the Enugu State Government with improving security and restoring economic activities, particularly the elimination of sit-at-home disruptions.
Similarly, Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the state, Comrade Simeon Akaeme, reiterated many of the demands, emphasising that several had already received government approval but were yet to be implemented.
He also requested operational vehicles for labour unions to enhance their activities.
Addressing workers, Akaeme urged unity and resilience, noting that progress in labour movements was achieved through collective struggle and solidarity.
Akaeme also called on governments and employers to prioritise workers’ welfare, describing it as essential for sustainable development.
Responding on behalf of the governor, the Deputy Governor, Mr Ifeanyi Ossai acknowledged the concerns raised by labour leaders and assured them that the state government remained committed to workers’ welfare and ongoing reforms.
He noted that the administration had already recorded progress in pension payments, wage implementation, infrastructure development, and security improvements, pledging that the government would continue to engage labour unions constructively.
Earlier in a welcome address, the State Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Dr Felix Nnamani, commended the governor for providing logistics that ensured a seamless celebration.
The commissioner praised the administration’s shift from analogue processes to digital governance.
According to him, the introduction of e-governance platforms, alongside training and retraining of civil servants, had significantly improved public service delivery.
He noted that the state government had exceeded the federal benchmark on minimum wage and ensured salary structures and allowances across sectors were aligned with national standards.
Nnamani lauded the governor’s leadership style, describing him as “courageous, humble, and compassionate,”.
He urged workers to remain dedicated to their duties to sustain economic growth and development in the state.
NAN
