South West leaders of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), have appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu of Lagos State to pay the state pensioners with Federal shares, the #32,000 wage Award.
The Lagos State Government in a recent circular by the Head of Service, Bode Agoro, excluded this category of pensioners that had a stint with both the federal and the state government from enjoying the #32,000 wage Award announced by the state government.
But, in a communique at the end of their meeting in Lagos, the South West Leaders of NUP, said it was unfair by the Lagos State Government to deny the pensioners, the legitimate right approved by the Salaries and wages commission since August, 2024.
The communique which was read by the Public Relations Officer of the South West NUP Leaders Caucus, Dr. Olusegun Obatan, implored the Lagos State chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to initiate a strike action, if the state government fails to pay.
NUP leaders in the South West also frowned at the attitude of the Lagos State government over its refusal to pay pension increases of 33 percent of 2010 minimum wage, 2019 consequential adjustment and 2024 minimum wage.
The NUP South West leaders further said the pension increment is enshrined in Sections 210 and 173 of the 1999 constitution as amended and on the exclusive list which implied that anytime, workers salaries are increased, same treatment should be accorded Pensioners.
They therefore called for harmonization of pensions between the old and new retirees by State Governments, stressing that it is absurd that what a level 13 pensioner in 1976 is earning cannot be compared with what a level 13 Pensioner of 2025 is earning.
The leaders also urged State Governments to undertake training programs for their personnel handling pension matters so that pensioners would not become perpetual victims of ineptitude.
The NUP leaders in the South Werst warned state chapters of the union against being tricked by the political class as the political firmament hots up, thus urged them to hold dialogue with the Governorship candidates and make them sign an undertaking not to renege on their promises to Pensioners.
The meeting was attended by chairmen and secretaries of state councils of from Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun and Lagos States.
