Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday insisted that there
would be a total shut down of Imo State once the 14-day ultimatum issued to the
state government to recall the 3000 sacked workers and tackle their unpaid
salaries and other benefits expires.
would be a total shut down of Imo State once the 14-day ultimatum issued to the
state government to recall the 3000 sacked workers and tackle their unpaid
salaries and other benefits expires.
The Imo State government is alleged to be owing workers of
the state’ agencies including Imo State Water Corporation and Imo State
Transport Company, between three and 15 months salaries and other benefits.
the state’ agencies including Imo State Water Corporation and Imo State
Transport Company, between three and 15 months salaries and other benefits.
President of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas
Workers, NUPENG, Mr. Igwe Achese, a member of the 6-man action committee set up
by NLC to handle the Imo crisis, told Vanguard that all measures had been put
in place for the planned action.
Workers, NUPENG, Mr. Igwe Achese, a member of the 6-man action committee set up
by NLC to handle the Imo crisis, told Vanguard that all measures had been put
in place for the planned action.
Achese who is also a Deputy President of the Joe Ajaero-led
faction of NLC, said: “Like we made it clear when we handed down the ultimatum
on Friday, January 22, once the ultimatum expires, we will take action and
there will be a total shut down of the state. You are aware that both factions of
Congress are on the same page in the issue because an injury to one is an
injury to all. It was in that regard that a meeting of leaders of the factions
in Abuja, set up a 6 man action committee on Imo which I am a member.
faction of NLC, said: “Like we made it clear when we handed down the ultimatum
on Friday, January 22, once the ultimatum expires, we will take action and
there will be a total shut down of the state. You are aware that both factions of
Congress are on the same page in the issue because an injury to one is an
injury to all. It was in that regard that a meeting of leaders of the factions
in Abuja, set up a 6 man action committee on Imo which I am a member.
“We have it very clear that once the action starts, we will
stop fuel and electricity supplies, banks and shops will be closed among
others. ”
stop fuel and electricity supplies, banks and shops will be closed among
others. ”
Recall that the Ayuba Wabba faction of NLC at its National
Executive Council, NEC, meeting last Friday in Lagos, warned that Imo would be
used as an example to others, saying “Congress resolved that any state governor
who violates the sacred duty of regular payment of salaries, gratuities and
pensions will incur the wrath of workers.Congress also resolved to mobilize to
any state that retrenches workers because workers should not be made the scape
goats of the downturn in the economy. The benefits of political employees are
not touched. They are paid regular huge sums that are not even approved by the
Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
Executive Council, NEC, meeting last Friday in Lagos, warned that Imo would be
used as an example to others, saying “Congress resolved that any state governor
who violates the sacred duty of regular payment of salaries, gratuities and
pensions will incur the wrath of workers.Congress also resolved to mobilize to
any state that retrenches workers because workers should not be made the scape
goats of the downturn in the economy. The benefits of political employees are
not touched. They are paid regular huge sums that are not even approved by the
Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
“In line with the Congress’ philosophy of an injury to one
is an injury to all, Congress also resolved to mobilize to Imo State to shut it
down as a response to Governor Okorocha’s consistent anti-labour policies,
impunity and retrenchment of workers, in spite of his promises to the
leadership of the Congress that he would not take such decisions. Congress also
resolved to take a national action in respect of Imo if necessary.
is an injury to all, Congress also resolved to mobilize to Imo State to shut it
down as a response to Governor Okorocha’s consistent anti-labour policies,
impunity and retrenchment of workers, in spite of his promises to the
leadership of the Congress that he would not take such decisions. Congress also
resolved to take a national action in respect of Imo if necessary.
“Congress notes that Governor Okorocha has raised a private
militia which he has armed to the teeth and they are at present inflicting
injuries on innocent workers. Congress considers this as illegal and resolves
to make a report to the IGP, warning that in the event that Okorocha violates
the law by unleashing the militia again on workers, there would be
consequences.”
militia which he has armed to the teeth and they are at present inflicting
injuries on innocent workers. Congress considers this as illegal and resolves
to make a report to the IGP, warning that in the event that Okorocha violates
the law by unleashing the militia again on workers, there would be
consequences.”
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