NNN decries death of over 103 members over unpaid salaries, entitlements by Northern Govs
Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna
Workers of New Nigerian Newspaper (NNN), has cried out to the Chairman, Northern State Governors’ Forum (NSGF), Simon Lalong, to come to their aid and facilitate the payment of staff accumulated salaries and other benefits.
The Chairman, in-house Union, Comrade Friday Idoko, alongside other executives made the appeal on Wednesday, in a press statement issued to journalists in Kaduna, saying they have lost over 103 members in recent time, due to hardship.
According to the union noted with regret the slow of process initiated in 2017 to sell assets of the company so as to pay off salary arrears of staff and other benefits, adding that many have died awaiting their unpaid wages of over 100 months owed by Northern State Governors.
The statement also revealed that some huge amount of money was realized from sale of the company’s property, meanwhile nothing was done to alleviate the economic hardship of the workers, leaving many depressed as they can no longer take care of their families.
“The Joint Workers’ Union of New Nigerian Newspapers in its Congress held October 25, 2022 is appealing to the Chairman of Northern State Governors’ Forum (NSGF), His Excellency, Simon Bako Lalong to expedite action on settlement of workers’ entitlements.
“The Joint Union comprising of members of Nigeria Union Of Journalists (NUJ) and National Union Of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Union Workers (NUPPPROW) New Nigerian Chapel, expressed worries over workers plights due to non-payment of salaries for many years, resulting to depression and deaths of over 103 staff awaiting their entitlements.
“We are appealing to Governor Simon Lalong as a compassionate leader and head of Northern Governors to use his good office to put smiles on our faces and those of our families by ordering a prompt payment from the available resources realized from sales of the company’s property.
“We have been through a lot of hardship; many of our compatriots have been ejected by their landlords, many could no longer pay their childrens’ school fees, many have died due to one form of ailment or the other as a result of economic bottlenecks.
“We have so much confidence in your effective leadership built on selflessness, passion to serve and commitment to welfare of your subjects. It is our collective conviction that our appeal will receive the attention it deserves,” the statement said.
They also commended the efforts of Northern Governors for ensuring the payment of the company’s pensioners who had worked under the Federal Government, urging the Plateau State Governor to promptly order disbursement of the sum to workers of the company to alleviate their hardship.
