Anambra Workers Threaten Strike To Press Home Their Demands, Give Govt. 7-day Ultimatum To Act
By Ifeizu Joe
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have issued 7-day ultimatum to the Anambra State Government to address issues of workers welfare.
The came up despite the fact that Government pays workers’ salaries and pensions on or before 25th of every month.
However, in a joint communique signed by leaders of the two Labour Unions, Comrades Humphrey Nwafor (NLC) and Chris Ogbonna (TUC) on Tuesday, the organized Labour said failure to address their demands may jeopardize the existing industrial peace and harmony in the state.
They described the contributory pension scheme as a scam, noting that workers’ salaries are being deducted without counterpart remittance from the government.
The communique called for the immediate suspension of the deductions and immediate refund of those monies deducted from workers’ salaries.
The workers further called for the immediate dissolution of the Ndi-olu Microfinance Board for allegedly engaging in inhuman and fraudulent activities.
It said government must set up a panel to investigate the activities of the bank whose sin, they complained, is not limited to monies deducted from workers’ salaries for recapitalisation, but also non-remittance of shares to workers of the State.
They said the non-constitution of the Civil Service Commission and Judicial Service Commission amongst others was a deliberate act by the government to destabilize the system and stagnate workers from being promoted and having access to other entitlements.
It advised government to immediately constitute boards that are due to enable workers have access to their rights and privileges.
The labour leaders called for the immediate appointment of Permanent Secretaries for the smooth running and administration of civil service, noting that non-appointment of Permanent Secretaries for two years, as well as use of 3 Permanent Secretaries in running the 22 MDAs were acts of insensitivity on the part of the government to the advancement of workers, welfare and growth.
Furthermore, they expressed disappointment at Soludo’s sudden removal of the N12,000 wage award to civil servants in the state when other governors were rooting for means to cushion the effects of persisting economic hardship in the land.
They further urged Governor Soludo to consider providing palliatives through upward review of the removed wage award, as well as sustaining the payment till the full implementation of the new minimum wage.
The labour unions also called for the appointment of a Special Adviser/ Commissioner for Labour and Productivity or the creation of a ministry to oversee the affairs of labour matters and its activities for the advancement and progress of labour union activities in the state.
