The Nigeria Union of Railwaymen (NUR) has urged the Federal Government to urgently implement the 95 per cent salary enhancement it approved for them in 2022.
The President of NUR, Comrade Innocent Ajiji, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that the delay in the implementation had become the workers’ major source of frustration.
He said railway workers were among the country’s most hardworking public servants and operated in hazardous conditions.
“Our members work day and night, in the rain and under the scorching sun, including weekends and public holidays, yet they earn the same salary as workers in ministries who operate under far more convenient conditions.
“The railway job is unique because of its hazards and peculiarity. It deserves a remuneration structure that reflects those realities,” he said.
Ajiji recalled that the union engaged a former Minister of Transport, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, and demanded an enhanced salary structure, improved conditions of service, payment of overtime and other allowances.
According to him, the discussions failed to produce the desired outcome, prompting the union to embark on a three-day warning strike.
“On the second day of the strike, we were invited to Abuja where our grievances were discussed.
“In January 2022, we received the good news that the President approved 95 per cent salary enhancement for railway workers.
“Sadly, that approval has yet to be implemented.”
He said the delay had killed the workers’ morale.
Ajiji also decried poor welfare package for NUR members.
He said that many train crews had no decent rest houses, while overtime, hazard, weekend and public holiday allowances remained unpaid in spite of the nature of their work.
He said railway workers also lacked adequate healthcare facilities and continued to perform maintenance duties with obsolete equipment.
“Most times, our workers use bare hands to do jobs machines should ordinarily handle because we lack modern maintenance equipment and spare parts.”
The NUR president urged the Federal Government to implement the approved salary enhancement and improve NUR members’ welfare package.
He said that better conditions of service would enhance productivity, safety and efficiency in the nation’s railway system.
He also called for increased investment in railway workshops, locomotives, coaches and maintenance equipment to improve service delivery.
