The Nigeria Labour Congress says workers welfare is not properly
captured in the 2017 national budget.
The NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, said this while speaking with
newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.
“Our budget system is not transparent enough, if you look at the
estimate of this year budget, a lot of issues have arisen,
especially the allocations for capital and current expenditure.
“But importantly, the fact also is that a lot of issues
pertaining to the welfare of workers have not been properly
captured.
“On the issue of pension, we are very certain and convinced
because there is a liability presently of over N300bn that is
supposed to be accommodated in the budget for the payment of
pensions.
“Especially the contributory pension scheme which actually we
have interfaced with the leadership of the National Assembly to try
to see how this can be accommodated.
“And we are all aware that this has not been captured
adequately. There are also some earned allowances which also have
not been earned but a portion of it has been provided in the
budget.
“So, in terms of how the budget directly affects the workers, I
think some of the issues certainly have not being captured very
effectively,” he said.
On the overall performance of the 2017 budget, Wabba noted that
time was of the essence.
He, however, decried the late implementation of the budget,
saying that substantial time has been lost in the preparation that
ought to have taken effect.
“Therefore our position is whatever needs to be done, needs to
be done properly.
“Especially, the capital projects that have to do with putting
in place our very important critical infrastructure need to receive
the most desired attention.
“So that those issues can then kick start the economy and then
stimulate the economy and create jobs for the teeming unemployed
youth in the country.
“Because, one, we are not producing and ones those critical
sectors are not working then we will remain in pathetic situation
that we will not be able to get out of it,” the NLC president
said.
Wabba added that the process and the manner of implementation of
the national budget has certainly not been encouraging to
Nigerians.
He noted that a study of the figures in the budget shows that,
major priorities were given to areas that do not address the
fundamental issues that Nigerians are passing through.
“I think there is a need for a transparent budget process where
it would start very early and it will be open for public scrutiny
and also the input can be made into the process.
“This will be able to address the very critical issues of our
development because if you look at some aspects of the budget, the
overhead seems to be much more than the capital budget.
“I think that is not good for us, that is not good for our
system and that is why we are in this situation,’’ according to
Wabba.
(NAN)
The Nigeria Labour Congress says workers welfare is not properly
captured in the 2017 national budget.
The NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, said this while speaking with
newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.
“Our budget system is not transparent enough, if you look at the
estimate of this year budget, a lot of issues have arisen,
especially the allocations for capital and current expenditure.
“But importantly, the fact also is that a lot of issues
pertaining to the welfare of workers have not been properly
captured.
“On the issue of pension, we are very certain and convinced
because there is a liability presently of over N300bn that is
supposed to be accommodated in the budget for the payment of
pensions.
“Especially the contributory pension scheme which actually we
have interfaced with the leadership of the National Assembly to try
to see how this can be accommodated.
“And we are all aware that this has not been captured
adequately. There are also some earned allowances which also have
not been earned but a portion of it has been provided in the
budget.
“So, in terms of how the budget directly affects the workers, I
think some of the issues certainly have not being captured very
effectively,” he said.
On the overall performance of the 2017 budget, Wabba noted that
time was of the essence.
He, however, decried the late implementation of the budget,
saying that substantial time has been lost in the preparation that
ought to have taken effect.
“Therefore our position is whatever needs to be done, needs to
be done properly.
“Especially, the capital projects that have to do with putting
in place our very important critical infrastructure need to receive
the most desired attention.
“So that those issues can then kick start the economy and then
stimulate the economy and create jobs for the teeming unemployed
youth in the country.
“Because, one, we are not producing and ones those critical
sectors are not working then we will remain in pathetic situation
that we will not be able to get out of it,” the NLC president
said.
Wabba added that the process and the manner of implementation of
the national budget has certainly not been encouraging to
Nigerians.
He noted that a study of the figures in the budget shows that,
major priorities were given to areas that do not address the
fundamental issues that Nigerians are passing through.
“I think there is a need for a transparent budget process where
it would start very early and it will be open for public scrutiny
and also the input can be made into the process.
“This will be able to address the very critical issues of our
development because if you look at some aspects of the budget, the
overhead seems to be much more than the capital budget.
“I think that is not good for us, that is not good for our
system and that is why we are in this situation,’’ according to
Wabba.
(NAN)
Read more https://nairalaw.com/workers-welfare-not-properly-captured-in-2017-budget-labour/