Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have issued a 7-day ultimatum to the Anambra State Government to address issues of workers welfare in the state.
In a joint communique signed by the leaders of the two Labour Unions, Comrade Humphrey Nwafor and Comrade Chris Ogbonna on Tuesday, the organised Labour said failure to address their demands may jeopardise the existing industrial peace and harmony in the state.
The Union described the contributory pension scheme in the state as a scam, noting that workers’ salaries are being deducted without counterpart remittance from the government. It called for the immediate suspension of the deductions and immediate refund of those monies deducted from workers’ salaries.
The Union 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 said is not limited to monies deducted from workers’ salaries for recapitalisation but also non-remittance of shares to workers of the State.
It said the non-constitution of the Civil Service Commission and Judicial Service Commission amongst others was a deliberate act by the government to destabilise the system and stagnate workers from being promoted and having access to other entitlements. It however advised government to immediately constitute boards that are due for reconstitution to enable workers to have access to their rights and privileges.
The Union 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 and the 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, it expressed disappointment at Soludo’s sudden removal of the twelve thousand naira wage award to civil servants in the state when other governors were rooting for means to cushion the hunger brought by persisting economic hardship in the land.
It urged the governor to consider providing palliative by by granting an upward review of the removed wage award as well as sustaining the payment till the full implementation of the new minimum wage begins.
It also called for the appointment of a Special Adviser/ Commissioner for Labour and Productivity or the creation of a ministry in the state to oversee the affairs of labour matters and its activities for the advancement and progress of labour union activities in the state.
