NLC threatens to shut down economic activities in Imo over ill-treatment of workers

 

.As state govt accuses Congress president of  being divisive leader

UFOMBA UZUEGBU

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has threatened to commence a total shutdown of Sam Mbakwe Airport, part of National Grid that supplies electricity and the operation Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) service in Imo State in protest against ill-treatment to workers by Governor Hope Uzodinma.

 

NLC in a statement signed by its President in the state, Comrade Joe Ajaero and made available to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.

 

The Nigeria Labour Congress listed among the reasons for its proposed industrial action include; “20 months Salary arrears owed to some workers stigmatised as ghost workers. Declaration of about 11,000 workers in the state as ghost workers even while they were physically at work and the diversion of their salaries.

 

“Intimidation and Harassment of Trade Union leaders; a witch hunt carried out in different guises. The continued use of thugs and instruments of violence against workers in the state was furthered in the terror of yesterday.

 

“Impoundment and illegal diversion of Union dues in the state. Declaration of about 10,000 pensioners as ghost Pensioners and refusal to pay them for over 22 months led to the death of many. Harassment and intimidation of the entire workforce with constant threats of violence and sacking.

 

“The Resort to blackmail and falsehood through the Information Commissioner of the state whose infamous role as an attack dog of the administration has not only scuttled reasonable and effective social dialogue but has also brought the state to ridicule.”

 

NLC went on to say, “We are resolved to press home our demands and until these infractions are remedied, we will continue escalating the industrial action till the government is compelled to show reason and restore meaningful and effective dialogue in the state.

 

“NLC calls on the federal government to use whatsoever may be at its disposal to protect the lives of the citizens and workers in Imo state. The actions and inactions of the state government are capable of turning the state into a ghost state and this must be avoided. The actions of the federal government would go a long way in ensuring that sanity is restored and that people are free to participate in social activities without fear and intimidation.

 

“Consequently in pursuit of our legitimate strike action to restore sanity to the state’s industrial relations sphere, we wish to advise that: those travelling to Imo State through the Airport to look for other alternatives.

 

“Those that make use of Petroleum products should make efforts to seek alternatives and, those that use Electricity to seek other options outside the national grid.”

 

 

 

 

The statement further said; “The government of Imo state has become a serial abuser and violator of the rights and privileges of its workers. It has deliberately turned the State into the most uncomfortable clime for workers in Nigeria.

 

“As it stands today, the state has almost made it seem a criminal offence to be a worker. We have taken notice of the previous actions of the government and had warned severally of the implications of their unreasonable actions and had demanded that a new leaf be turned but sadly, these warnings were left unheeded.”

Meanwhile, Worried by the divisive, combative and autocratic style of the new President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, the Imo State Government has predicted that the Congress may soon disintegrate under his watch except something is urgently done by the workers to save the situation.

It disclosed that Ajaero has not only enmeshed the new executive into avoidable partisan politics but has a hidden agenda detrimental to the welfare of Nigerian workers.

Reacting to the allegations by Ajaero that the government meddled in the botched election of the state chapter of NLC, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba accused him of lying to cover his “dirty role in the sordid affair.”

“Apart from being a pathological liar, available information to government is that it was Ajaero himself that actually disrupted the election because he wanted to impose his stooge on the workers,”  Emelumba submitted.

According to him, instead of allowing  the normal delegates to cast their votes in accordance with laid down rules, Ajaero suddenly changed the rules at the last minute, which the workers resisted.

He noted that when it became obvious that Ajaero wanted to impose one George from his local government as the NLC chairman in Imo against the wishes of the majority, the workers rose against the NLC leadership and insisted that the elections will not hold.

He denied that agents of the government attacked any delegate as alleged by Ajaero, and challenged him to produce any evidence of his claim, insisting that no government official was at the venue of the election.

” it is unfortunate that  a reputable labour union like NLC now has a President that is not only clannish but  impulsive and a liar as well,” Emelumba said.

He disclosed that the security agents went to the venue to restore law and order when it was obvious that Ajaero had lost control of the situation.

Emelumba described Ajaero as a divisive leader who, few years ago, had formed a pararrel  United Labour Congress when he lost the presidential election of NLC.

He said the man was yet to purge himself of such divisive tendencies,hence his decision to impose an unpopular candidate on Imo workers.

The Commissioner also requested the interrogation of the agenda of Ajaero whose priority he said is to cause division and havoc in the South East.

 

 

 

Said he, “We should really know what this man wants. He is not upbto two  months in office and his focus is to destabilize the states in his home zone. He started with Ebonyi, went to Abia and now causing havoc in his home state of Imo.”

 

 

 

Emelumba said security report available to Government showed that Ajaero signed an agreement with the said George to make the state ungovernable for Governor Uzodimma.

 

 

 

To confirm that fact, both Ajaero and George “whom he has illegally installed as caretaker chairman” have asked workers to go on strike for no just cause.

 

 

 

“We don’t have any trade dispute with workers. We are not owing them any salary. We are now working on their promotion. So under which basis will they go on strike?”, he asked.

 

 

 

The Commissioner urged the workers to completely ignore such calls, saying that Government remains committed to a robust working relationship with labour.