Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Organised Labour has threatened the Anambra State House of Assembly with industrial dispute over what played out at the Assembly complex during Labour strike, earlier this week.
It would be recalled that Labour, at the National level, had mandated all affiliates union to embark on indefinite strike over issues bordering on hike in electricity tariff and new National minimum wage.
Pursuant to this, Organised Labour in Anambra on Monday, marched to the Anambra Assembly complex just as they had done in other public offices to monitor compliances to the order.
However on getting to the State Assembly and discovering that activities were ongoing in the complex, the group chanting solidarity songs demanded for closure of the offices and the shut down of the complex.
In the ensuing melee, a Lawmaker representing Aguata 2 constituency, Tony Muobike, was said to have told the workers that they do not deserve any new minimum wage and that robots would soon take over their jobs.
Muobike had, however, denied making such statements, claiming that he was simply addressing the protesting workers in a peaceful manner.
Angered by the action of the lawmaker, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in a statement described Muobike’s behavior as dishonourable and lacking the qualities of a legislator.
The statement jointly signed by the state secretaries of NLC and TUC, Gaius Chukwuka and Alex C. Ebi respectively, condemned the lawmaker’s behaviour, calling on the Speaker of the Assembly to call the lawmaker to order and to ensure he (Muobike) apologises to the Nigerian workers.
It read in part: “We wish to inform the leadership of the Anambra State House of Assembly led by Mr Speaker, Right Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze as a matter of urgency, to call Hon. Anthony Muobike to order and immediately ensure without let, that he apologises to Nigerian workers in Nigeria and Anambra State in particular and Comrade Samson Adigwe whom he insulted or the Organised Labour shall have no option than to declare industrial dispute against the Anambra State House of Assembly in earnest.”
Labour also urged the public to disregard any report of dispute with Governor Chukwuma Soludo, maintaining that the Union has enjoyed cordial relationship with the governor.
