Chairman of the Ogun State Council Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, Comrade Hameed Benco-Ademola has assured retirees and workers on the payroll of the State Government under the Contributory Pension Scheme of positive outcome in organized labour's continuous engagement with government on the implementation of the scheme
Several workers have raised concern over inability of state government to remit their monthly contributions and the counter-part fund from government to the pension fund managers , under the Contributory Pension Scheme, calling for cancellation of the scheme, to protect them from uncertainty in getting their entitlements on retirement from service
But the State NLC Chairman in an exclusive interview with Edu-Biznews asked to be calmed, saying organized labour is on top of the situation with mongo engagement with the Prince Dapo Abiodun's administration
"We've been working on it for past two years and we are hopeful that something good will come out of it, that is acceptable to everyone "
"It is one of the outstanding labour issues inherited in 2023 by the present leadership of NLC under me
It will be recalled previously administrations since Otunba Gbenga Daniel in 2003 , till current administration has failed to comply with provisions of the pension scheme which makes it mandatory for workers and government to contribute certain percent of monthly salary to the pension fund managers under the pension scheme
However , the State House of Assembly is considering amendment to the State Pension Law of 2013 to address areas of concerns by the pensioners.
The House Committee on Establishments and Public Service Matters Chaired by Hon. Babatunde Tella gave the assurance over the weekend while addressing members of the Joint Action Committee of Pensioners in Ogun State owned Tertiary Institutions who paid courtesy visit to the house
Hon. Tella also assured that Assembly would collaborate with the State Government on how best to address the issue of pension payable to the affected pensioners.
He maintained that retired professors or any staff of tertiary institutions should not be made to suffer before collecting their entitlements.
The lawmaker sought for the cooperation of the bureau of pension and other relevant stakeholders in addressing the concerns of the pensioners.
" Our job is to create enabling environment for other arms of government to thrive.
We must do everything possible to encourage those that are still serving. The issue of Japa Syndrome is affecting our education sector.
The assembly will revisit the pension law of 2013, there is need to amend the law," he said.
On his part, the Assembly Minority Leader Lukman Adeleye, noted that all stakeholders including the State Commissioner for Education and representatives from the Ministry of Justice would be invited to address the issue.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of State Pensions, Mrs. Arinola Adetayo explained that the rationale behind the issue of their retirement benefits are in accordance with the relevant sections of the State Pensions Act; assuring that all issues raised would be addressed accordingly.
Earlier in his presentation, the Chairman of the forum, Prof Adeniyi Ogundipe stated expressed displeasure that the pension of some members had not been processed since they retired, hence, they had not been paid any pension.
He called on the Bureau of State pension to use the current salary structure in existence at the time of retirement to pay the benefit of retirees of tertiary institutions in the State.
Ogundipe solicited the support of the Assembly to call on the Bureau of pension to apply the equivalent pensionable allowance obtainable in the civil service and other public service for the state owned tertiary institutions.
He appealed to the state government to intervene and assist in addressing the concerns of the retired staff of tertiary institutions in the State.
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