The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has threatened to embark on a nationwide protest from February 25 in order to draw attention to the suffering its members are undergoing.

The National President of NUP, Alhaji Ali Abatcha, told journalists that a meeting between the union and the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Emeka Wogu, ended in a deadlock.

He said the meeting was attended by the representatives of the Head of Service of the Federation and the Ministry of Justice among others, adding the union is seeking the release of the one per cent check-off dues which members voluntarily contributed, but seized by the Pension Reform Task Team. Abatcha said: “The meeting ended in a deadlock because none of our demands was met.

We are also demanding the 53 per cent increment, which civil servants have been enjoying for the past three years, among others.

“The minister told us to come back by February 13 so that the Salaries, Income and Wages Commission can explain why the circular is yet to be released.

For the check-off dues, the Ministry of Justice said we did not have the right to levy our members, but we told them it was not levy but voluntary contribution.

“We will not accept a situation where genuine pensioners suffer for their entitlements, which are not paid, while the chairman of the task team claims to be saving money for the government.”

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/pensioners-set-for-nationwide-protests-feb-25/