The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has called on the federal government to review the salary and retirement age of core civil servants in the country.

TUC President, Quadri Olaleye, made the call at the 12th Triennial National Delegates Conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Olaleye said that the salary review was necessary to narrow the gap between civil servants emoluments and those in other segments of the public service.

According to him, the federal government during negotiation at the last new national minimum wage promised to review but has reneged.

“We are calling on the federal government to direct the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation to take action in that regard.

“Similarly, what is good for the geese is also good for the gander is an age-long dictum that is still as relevant as it was centuries ago.

“The President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2020 World Teachers Day increased the retirement age of teachers from 60 to 65 years and also reviewed upward their length of service from 35 to 40 years. We covert such gestures,” he said.

The TUC president also expressed worry over the huge number of states that were still owing pension, salaries and allowances in arrears after collecting refund, bailout funds, budget support fund and the Paris debt refund.

Mr Olaleye, however, noted that the demeanour of the governors was that they had no money to pay, whereas they had money to pay their predecessors and also fund “their reckless lifestyle”.

“We condemned it and demand that the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission(ICPC) investigate and bring the governors to book.

“It is our thought that paying retirees their entitlement will assist to curb corruption because when people know that they will get their entitlements when they retire, it will check stealing.

“For those of them withholding the contributory pension deductions from workers salaries without remitting same to their Pension Fund Administration (PFAs), we warn that it is illegal and attracts some penalties,” he said.

(NAN)