Despite threats and warnings from the Imo State Government, the Labour Unions in the state have commenced a strike action.
Ironically, on a day the Imo State Government set aside to celebrate Freedom Day, the Joint Negotiating Council, JNC, has made real its threat to embark on a strike.
The State Government acting through its agents and officials had through press releases and announcements not only warned workers about the strike action but also axed the JNC for uncompromising acts. The Government went further to raise a panel to handle alleged shady financial details rocking the Labour Body.
However, unmindful of government’s threat and divide and rule tactics, the JNC yesterday commenced a strike action over the inability of Okorocha’s administration to honour agreements it reached with labour in the past.
Confirming the strike action, JNC Chairman in the State, Comrade Coleman Okwara said that strike became necessary as Government failed to implement agreements reached with Labour which concerns promotion of civil servants, non payment of salaries to a category of workers in some parasatals and government agencies, unwarranted suspension of a Permanent Secretary, non payment of over time and several allowances.
Also the issue of Specialist Hospital and inability of Government to properly handle matters in the Health sector as well as non stoppage of 1% deduction from workers’ salaries were among the grouse of the workers.
Why would labour embark on a strike action a week after the Governor’s merit “Excellency Award” from the organized Labour, Comrade Okwara opined that the May Day award to Okorocha was an “abracadabra” and ill conceived by some Labour leaders to achieve ulterior motives”.
Reminded that Government has proscribed JNC leadership and about to probe the financial activities of its leaders, Comrade Okwara responded that Government’s action is a brutality and does not hold water saying that, “It is an aberration. Under schedule 3 of the constitution, the Governor has no power to disband or suspended JNC activities. The Governor is being ill advised because he has no powers over JNC. In short, our national body has been notified and is entering Owerri for this matter”.
Meanwhile, some Labour leaders believed to be engineering the strike action have gone into hiding for fear of being hunted or attacked by Government Agents.
Trumpeta learnt that the Unionists who met yesterday changed venue and location to avoid government agents seeking their whereabouts.
Attempts to reach Commissioner for Information Chinedu Offor for comments were unsuccessful and his phone was busy following the “Freedom Day” celebration in the state.
