The Nigeria Labour Congress in Bauchi State has asked the state government to put in place a clear and workable plan to pay all unpaid gratuities owed to retired civil servants.
The union made this known during the 2026 International Workers’ Day event held in Bauchi, which was organised together with the Trade Union Congress.
Speaking at the event, the state NLC chairman, Dauda Shuaibu, said workers who spent up to 35 years serving the state should not retire without receiving their full benefits. He stressed that clearing the backlog of unpaid gratuities is necessary to allow retirees live with respect and dignity.
He also called on the government to begin sharing out houses built under the Civil Servants Housing Scheme. According to him, leaving the buildings empty for too long, especially with the rainy season approaching, could lead to damage from heavy rain and strong winds.
Shuaibu further appealed for support for the union’s operations, asking the government to provide two 18-seater buses. He explained that the NLC coordinates more than 40 affiliate unions in the state and needs proper logistics to function effectively.
On workers’ welfare, the union urged the government to bring back the leave transport allowance, describing it as a legal benefit that helps workers stay motivated and productive. It also asked for the return of car and motorcycle loan schemes to make transportation easier for workers.
The NLC raised concerns over the failure to remit workers’ deductions to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, noting that this has prevented many workers from accessing housing loans. It demanded an immediate refund of the withheld funds and a restart of regular payments.
In addition, the union called for full implementation of the CONHESS and CONMESS salary structures for local government health workers, similar to what is already in place at the state level. It also asked the government to resolve pending issues affecting the smooth operation of the contributory pension scheme.
Despite its demands, the NLC acknowledged some positive steps taken by the government. These include the approval to recruit 10,000 workers, the introduction of a contributory health scheme, payment of a new minimum pension, and progress on the construction of a Labour House, which is said to be about 30 percent completed.
Responding to the concerns, Governor Bala Mohammed, who was represented by his deputy, Muhammad Auwal Jatau, assured workers that all outstanding gratuities will be paid before the end of the administration.
He said the government remains focused on improving workers’ welfare despite the country’s economic challenges. He pointed to the implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage and ongoing reforms in the payroll system aimed at improving transparency and reducing financial leakages.
The governor also reaffirmed his commitment to reforming the civil service through fair promotions based on merit, better working conditions, and improved service delivery. He added that recruitment and proper placement of workers are being used to strengthen key sectors.
Also speaking, the Head of Civil Service, Mohammed Sani Umar, praised the government for maintaining the N70,000 minimum wage and a N32,000 minimum pension for retirees.
He explained that several welfare programmes have been introduced, including giving junior workers time off during the farming season, providing subsidised farm inputs like fertiliser loans, and distributing support materials during tough economic periods.
Umar added that recent recruitment has helped improve the strength of the civil service and created jobs for young people. He said training programmes are also being organised regularly to improve workers’ skills.
According to him, reforms such as a reliable staff record system, merit-based promotions, and proper deployment of workers have improved transparency, accountability, and efficiency across government offices.
He encouraged civil servants to remain committed, disciplined, and follow public service rules, noting that better service delivery will help tackle poverty and insecurity in the state.