Taraba workers who thronged the Jolly Nyame Stadium Jalingo to celebrate worker’s day left the venue disappointed as Governor Darius Ishaku failed to comment on the implementation of the new minimum wage in the state.
Ishaku’s speech which was read by the Deputy Governor Engr. Haruna Manu maintained tactical silence on the issue of minimum wage, but promised to commence payment of the backlog of pension and gratuity of retired civil servants.
He commended workers in the state for their synergy, saying state government on her part will continue to embark on workers oriented programmes.
But some civil servants who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity said they were expecting to hear the good news of the immediate commencement of the payment of N30, 000 new minimum wage, which the Governor tactically avoided.
“The Governor came back yesterday, but he didn’t show up to address us on an important day like this. We were all expecting to hear the good news, but unfortunately he didn’t show up and his speech which was read by the deputy governor was silent on the issue of minimum wage.
“The pension and gratuity he promised to pay is our entitlements and he is not doing workers any favour.
“We expect the Governor to address the issue of minimum wage very soon because things are not getting better,” a staff in the office of the Head of Service queried.
Some workers who angrily left the venue after the speech of the governor lamented that while other states have pledge to commence implementation of the new minimum wage Taraba State Government was not concerned over the issue.
They called on the State NLC Chairman, Comrade Peter Gambo to engage the state government with a view to ensuring timely implementation of the new minimum wage in the state.
Earlier in his address, the state NLC Chairman, Comrade Peter Gambo called on the the state government to consider the employment of the teaming graduates of the state to fill the gap in the civil service.
“There is need for the government to provide window for absorption of jobless youth to fill in the gap in the civil service as both the senior and middle cadre are over bloated, while the lower cadre lack the manpower.
“We also appeal for the training and retraining of civil servants to enable them be in tune with the modern skills and knowledge to enhance productivity”.
Gambo expressed hope that Governor Ishaku will not hesitate to implement the N30, 000 minimum wage which is long overdue to boast the morale of workers adding that the issue of two months outstanding salaries of local government staff and primary school teachers should be addressed.
