The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has called for reforms in the public service, including payment of 100% monthly basic salary as widowhood leave allowance and the abolition of compulsory retirement for directors after eight years in office.
NLC President Joe Ajaero presented these demands recently at a House of Representatives public hearing addressing six bills on public service and National Assembly operations.
Ajaero stressed the need for a formal Widowhood Leave policy, arguing that the “traumatic loss of a spouse demands time for emotional recovery.”
He proposed 30 working days of leave extendable to 60 days in exceptional cases for both widows and widowers, with employers barred from penalizing workers who use the leave.
The NLC boss insists the leave must come with full basic salary payment and not affect performance evaluations. The union also advocated for a separate two-week bereavement leave with allowance.
The labour leader also opposed the compulsory retirement of directors after eight years, labeling it “anti-worker, arbitrary, and counterproductive.” He argued the policy wastes institutional memory and experience, urging its replacement with merit-based promotions and the creation of “extra-Director” positions to prevent stagnation.
On promotion stagnation, Ajaero described it as “a cancer eroding morale,” demanding mandatory triennial promotions, transparent criteria, and retroactive adjustments for unfairly denied workers.
He also reiterated calls to abolish the HND/BSc dichotomy, suggesting lateral conversion for HND holders with additional qualifications if full parity isn’t feasible.
Regarding age falsification probes, the NLC cautioned against “witch-hunts targeting low-ranking staff” while high-profile offenders escape scrutiny, urging strengthened application of existing rules.
House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, sponsor of a bill to overhaul the National Assembly Service Commission, endorsed reforms to address “real people, real institutions and real challenges.”
His proposed legislation aims to professionalize legislative administration through transparent appointments of senior officials like Clerks and Directorate Heads.
Tajudeen acknowledged flaws in the 8-year director retirement rule, noting it “prematurely pushes experienced professionals out of service.” He linked promotion stagnation to eroded morale and backed investigations into age falsification, which he said “distorts succession planning and weakens institutional trust.”
Separately, the Speaker proposed amendments to the National Assembly Pension Board Act to reconstitute its membership and establish a dedicated pension fund.
The hearing sets the stage for potential reforms affecting millions of public servants, with the NLC’s demands now formally before lawmakers.
