Subsidy removal: Pensioners seek upward review of pension

The union also urged the government to include pensioners in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIC) enjoyed by workers.

The union made the appeal in a communique issued at the end of a one-day National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

The communique was jointly signed by Acting Interim President-General, Babaji Magaji; General Secretary, Franklin Erinle and National Public Relations Officer, Jonathan Iyoo.

While hailing President Bola Tinubu’s determination to improve the economy by removing subsidy on fuel, the union called on the government to endeavour to put in place necessary palliatives to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal on senior citizens.

The union hailed Tinubu for staying the course in maintaining prompt payment of federal pensions as started by the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari.

It urged the Tinubu administration to keep the tempo.

The communique reads: “FEPPPAN humbly requests the Federal Government to remember the upward review of pension as workers’ salary is being reviewed or five years after that of 2019, whichever comes first in line with Section 173 (3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“The Union pleads with the Federal Government to mercifully include the pensioners in the enjoyment of the National Health Insurance Scheme as workers do.

“FEPPPAN commends and appreciates the Federal Government and PTAD for embarking on the ‘I am alive confirmation’ for pensioners.

“The union also commends and appreciates the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment for ensuring the smooth operation of all Trade Unions, particularly, FEPPPAN.

“The Federal Government’s determination to improve the economy by the removal of subsidy on fuel was commended. The Union passionately calls on the government to endeavour to put in place necessary palliatives in order to cushion its crushing effect on the senior citizens.”

Peoplesmind