Organized labour in Taraba State has accused the state government of withholding over N1 billion in union dues, sparking widespread unrest among workers across the state.
Speaking 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 strong discontent over the non-remittance of union dues spanning four months from February to May 2023 by the previous administration.
“We call on the state government to urgently pay the withheld union dues,” Jediel said. “If the situation persists, we will be forced to take decisive action in defense of workers’ rights.”
Beyond the issue of union dues, Jediel and other labour leaders highlighted a host of long standing grievances, including unpaid salaries and earned allowances for university staff from September and October 2022.
They also demanded the implementation of a pension scheme for university employees and immediate action to clear the backlog of pensions and gratuities owed to retired teachers and local government workers.
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Labour leaders further called for the reintroduction of regular staff training and overdue staff promotions, noting that promotions have been stagnant since 2012 for local government employees and since 2006 for primary school teachers.
Jediel also urged the government to fast-track the enrollment of workers in the state’s contributory health scheme, emphasizing its importance, particularly for retirees.
Echoing the NLC’s concerns, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Taraba, Comrade Sule Abasu, criticized the Office of the Accountant General for failing to remit outstanding check-off dues and welfare deductions.
Responding on behalf of Governor Agbu Kefas, the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, John Bonzina Kizito, assured workers that the government remains committed to addressing their concerns through appropriate policy and administrative measures.
