Taraba: Labour accuses state govt of withholding over N1bn union dues

Organized labour in Taraba State has accused the state government of withholding over N1 billion in union dues.

The situation, as announced by the leaders, has caused significant distress among workers across the state.

Speaking on Thursday during the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration at the Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo, the Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Taraba State chapter, Peter Jediel, expressed the union’s frustration over the non remittance of dues for a period spanning four months.

The dues, according to Jediel, were withheld by the previous administration from February to May 2023

“We call on the state government to urgently pay the withheld union dues,” Jediel stated. “If the situation persists, we will be forced to take decisive action in defense of workers’ rights.”

In addition to the call for the release of union dues, labour leaders pressed the state government to address other long-standing issues affecting workers and retirees.

These include the payment of unpaid salaries and earned allowances for university staff from September and October 2022, as well as the implementation of a pension scheme for university employees.

The union also demanded immediate steps to address the backlog of pensions and gratuities, particularly for retired teachers and local government staff.

They called for the reintroduction of regular staff training and the implementation of promotions, which they noted have been stagnant since 2012 for local government workers and since 2006 for primary school teachers.

Jediel also urged the government to accelerate the enrollment of workers in the state’s contributory health scheme, highlighting its potential benefits for workers, especially upon retirement.

Echoing the NLC’s concerns, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the state, Comrade Sule Abasu, criticized the Office of the Accountant General for failing to remit outstanding check-off dues and welfare deductions.

In response, the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, John Bonzina Kizito, who stood in for the governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, assured workers that the government remains committed to prioritizing their welfare and addressing their concerns through policy and administrative action.