Except the Imo State Government takes immediate steps to neutralize the disagreement between it and Imo workers, a trade dispute is in the offing again in the state.
The state work force are billed for a showdown with the government over certain actions considered inimical to their well being and operation.
Announcing workers decision to possibly down tools at the expiration of seven days ultimatum given to the state government, the chairman of Joint Negotiating Council, JNC, Coleman Okwara made public their grouse which touches the recent removal of Heads of Parastatals and their substitution with political appointees.
According to Okwara, the recent government action is improper and an attempt to ridicule procedures governing civil service rules and operations in the state.
The labour unionist regretted that despite initial letter addressed to the state government on the matter, it went ahead to remove heads of parastatals who are career civil servants for Okorocha’s appointees. To avoid a showdown, the workers requested the Okorocha administration to return all the affected redeployed heads of parastatals.
Another issue that is pitching labour against government according to Okwara is the refusal of the latter to reply to a letter the former forwarded to it concerning the salary relativity of 63.57%, Okwara said that the state government has kept mute over the matter without showing signs of acknowledging their pleas.
Speaking further, the JNC chairman noted that at the expiration of seven days and government is yet to implement leave allowances and over time payments after several promises labour shall re-strategies to drive home to the workers request.
“After seven days and no positive response from government on the issues raised, the workers will re-strategize to get their right from government” Okwara added.
Okwara who condemned the replacement of career civil servants with politicians called for immediate reversal of the action.
