My administration will focus on labour-friendly policies, says Diri

• NLC, TUC, Pensioners Laud Governor
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has said his administration will focus on labour-friendly policies to alleviate the suffering of workers in the state.

He advocated the need for the organised labour to work towards building a stable and inflation-free economy to enhance workers’ welfare.

Diri stated this yesterday while addressing labour leaders to mark the Workers’ Day in the state.

In a statement by his Acting Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the governor noted that increase in workers’ salary alone would not guarantee any meaningful improvement in their standard of living.

While saluting workers for their untiring efforts towards prosperity and national progress, Diri assured that his administration would continually place premium on workers by virtue of its slogan on prosperity.

He, however, regretted that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) robbed him of the opportunity to join in celebrating workers, being his maiden May Day event.

Responding to the demands of labour, the governor said his administration was aware of the challenges facing civil servants in the state and would constitute an ad-hoc committee chaired by his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to look into their issues.

In a joint address by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) presented by the state NLC chairman, John Ndiomu, the unions commended the governor for his humane disposition and sense of duty towards workers’ welfare, particularly retirees in the state.

They applauded his decision on prompt payment of workers’ salaries, gradual payment of the January salary arrears, payment of gratuity and death benefits, payment of the 33 per cent Harmonised Pension Increase of 2014, payment of Weigh-In arrears to media workers among others.

In another statement, Ndiomu and the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Renner Hobobo, equally hailed the governor for prioritising the welfare of pensioners and retirees in the state.

They expressed gratitude to the governor and his deputy for fulfilling their campaign promises to retirees.