Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Imo State chapter led by Comr. Austin Chilakpu on Tuesday in Owerri opened up on the ill treatments meted on Imo workers by the State Government.
Addressing members on the outcome of the Abuja meeting Comr. Chilakpu said the State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has no other option than to comply with the directives given to him by the Federal Ministry of Labour and productivity. He insisted that workers must be paid all their accumulated arrears, adding that the concession plans of the Governor must be stopped.
He instructed workers to resist any move to pay them outside their working place or Banks, adding that Labour will never allow any victimization of workers.
He revealed that the state Government has not spent up to six (6) billion naira from the N26b bailout fund given to it by the Federal Government.
He however regretted that Imo pensioners are drying everyday due to hardship. He therefore vowed that war against injustice meted on workers must not continue.
“Those salaries that were cut down must be fully paid and new salary structure rejected” the Labour Leader revealed.
He disclosed that his office was barricaded by Armed Police men adding that the Government recently threatened his life. “I was accused of instigating Imo workers of going on strike” he disclosed.
Information revealed that the Labour Leaders were chased out of Secretariat with armed police men.
Trumpeta gathered that the Federal Government has given one week for the whole crisis concerning workers to be resolved amicably and after that strict measure
Meanwhile, Imo State Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) headed by Comrade Austin Chilakpu has queried the All Progressives Congress (APC) state led administration of Governor Rochas Okorocha over the use of the Federal Government bailout funds.
Comrade Chilakpu made this declaration while briefing Health Workers in the State last Tuesday at Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Secretariat, Owerri, requesting the Government of Imo to account for the whooping 26.8bn given for payment of workers salary arrears by the President Muhammadu Buhari Federal led administration. He stressed that it is a shame and mark of irresponsibility for the Governor to misappropriate such fund meant for pension and salary arrears for nothing reasonable, yet unable to clear the heap of debts facing his administration. Still on the worker’s salaries, the NLC henchman stipulated that workers salaries are not negotiable as it is their right to be paid as at when due, hence workers deserves payment. Comrade Chilakpu further harnessed that he fear no politician as he has never committed himself before any of them which makes the Labour leaders competent in tackling the challenges facing them.stressed that it is a shame and mark of irresponsibility for the Governor to misappropriate such fund meant for pension and salary arrears for nothing reasonable, yet unable to clear the heap of debts facing his administration. Still on the worker’s salaries, the NLC henchman stipulated that workers salaries are not negotiable as it is their right to be paid as at when due, hence workers deserves payment. Comrade Chilakpu further harnessed that he fear no politician as he has never committed himself before any of them which makes the Labour leaders competent in tackling the challenges facing them.
The health workers who converged in their numbers for the briefing were said to have resurrected the blowing of whistles signifying their rejection of the present administration with the Igbo language chorused at every blowing “K”Opuo” meaning let him go. Till the briefing was over, Trumpeta observed the continuous blowing of whistles in the hall.
Trumpeta further observed strict security around the NLC Chairman’s office and the meeting around the Port-Harcourt road Owerri by police men and the Military men in their numbers who thought the meeting will arise to street demonstration.
