Telecoms staff to receive payment soon
Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on NITEL/M-Tel restructuring and minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, has hinted that the 30-month labour crisis in the state-owned telecommunication companies, NITEL and M-Tel, has been resolved.
Proposals and recommendations of the task force were approved during a meeting with executives of the labour unions in the two companies and the task force, in the minister’s office in Abuja, at the weekend.
Emmanuel Aziken, spokesperson for the labour minister, quoted Mr Wogu as saying that under the approved recommendation by the federal government, N51.6 billion is to be applied in settling the exit package due to permanent and casual staff of the two companies.
“I am gladdened that this issue is now coming to a terminal point and it is time for all stakeholders in NITEL/M-Tel to forge forward with their lives and their careers. I salute the perseverance of all staff involved and the stoicism with which they have carried on these past two years,” Mr Wogu said.
“The quick resolution of this matter is a reflection of the commitment of the present administration to the welfare of Nigerian workers. On my part, the strong backing I received from the highest quarters of government in carrying out the assignment made the assignment of the PTF very fruitful.”
Resolution after pickets
The meeting with the labour unions followed earlier picketing of the minister’s office on the eve of the nation’s 50th independence anniversary, by aggrieved staff of the two unions.
Mr Wogu, in meetings with the staff on September 29, 2010, promised to convey the government’s response on their lingering concerns, on October 12. The promise to them helped to calm the restive workers who were otherwise set to carry their protest to the Independence Day anniversary grounds.
The recommendation of the task force provides that “all staff be exited and paid off their entitlements. Critical staff to facilitate a smooth handover to a core investor will be immediately re-engaged such that the wage bill will not exceed 10 per cent of the current wage bill.
Furthermore, security of facilities will be outsourced, with existing security personnel being absorbed so that a vacuum is not created.”
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