October 25, (THEWILL) – Workers in the Cross River State civil service have rejected the proposed commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in the State.
The workers made their feelings known during a one-day sensitization program on the benefits of implementing the CPS.
The programme was organised by the State Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pension under the Chairmanship of Comrade Joe Ajaero, the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The programme barely started when the workers began protest at the venue of the event before collectively staging a walkout.
Some workers insisted that they were not consulted before the government decided to embark on the scheme and insisted that it was against their interest.
The workers, who preferred anonymity, wondered about the sudden rush to implement the scheme when a large percentage of the State’s workforce is on the brink of retirement.
The State Chairman of the NLC, Gregory Olayi, declined to make comments after the protest as well as other leaders of the labour movement in the State.
Following their walkout, the State Government continued with the programme without the leadership and members of the labour movement in the State.
It is unclear if the government intends to go ahead with the exercise despite the strong objection of the State labour movement.
The State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, promised to embark on the scheme to address the problem faced by retirees in the State.
The Governor also promised to offset the about 25 billion gratuities it owes retired workers in the State before the end of the year.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
