Rivers Unions Demand Christmas Bonus

The leadership of the in
dustrial unions under the
aegis of the Joint Negotiating Public Service Council (JNPSC), Rivers State chapter has called on the Rivers State Government to pay Christmas bonus to civil servants in the state.
Speaking to The Tide in Port Harcourt last Wednesday, the State Chairman of the union, Comrade Chukwu Emecheta said that the Christmas bonus payment had become imperative in view of the present hardship faced by workers in the state.
Emecheta said that the payment of Christmas bonus to workers long abandoned by the previous regime in the state would rekindle hope for the workers as this administration has been identified as a labour-friendly administration.
He said that the unions appreciated the zeal and commitment of the present administration towards the welfare and prompt salary payments to workers in the state, but stressed that a lot needed to be done to put smiles on the faces of the workers and one of such ways is the approval of Christmas bonus payment.
He said that the various union leaderships identified with the government in its determination towards providing security, improve living conditions of the workers through proactive policies of the state government and urged the state government not to rest on its oars.
Emecheta said that the government could afford to pay the Christmas bonus despite its financial constraints to succesfully execute development projects embarked upon in the state, stressing that workers welfare should be given the necessary attention by the state government. The JNSPC boss said workers were going through excruciating pains due to the present economic recession, but advised the state government to do its best for the workers. He said the entire workforce would continue to be committed and dedicated to their respective responsibilities in the discharge of their primary duties or assignment.
The union Leader urged the government to pay workers salary for this month simultaneously with the Christmas bonus to the workers.
He reassured the government of the total support of the state workforce.

Philip Okparaji