With the commercialization policy of the Rescue Mission on collision course with organised labour, Imo state government is alleged to have resorted to offering N10, 000 inducements to workers, wishing to collapse into the community Government council Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha pronounced the carrot incentive when he addressed a cross section of Imo citizens comprising Senior Public Servants traditional rulers, women and youth leaders at the Ahiajoku centre, Owerri
Governments soft stances on the issue came in the face of the organised labour insisting that due process is not being followed in the implementation of the commercialization policy.
Initially, the administration thought that coercion would break the resolve of the organised labour when it warned that any public servant who turned down his posting may lose his job.
Some of the invitees left the venue fuming that “they really don’t understand why invitation for the meeting was extended to them”.
Imo Trumpeta gathered that labour leaders who had earlier stormed the venue of the meeting left en masse on the directive of their state leaders. Those of them on grade level 10 and above were there on individual basis.
By the time the discussion started only handful of the invitees were being addressed by the governor and his entourage.
Some days ago when leaders of the organised labour addressed the workers they were told that labour has crossed the Rubicon in the current face off with the state government over the implementation of its commercialisation policy. The Trade Union Congress state Chairman, Comrade Obinna Aharanwa wondered why a government which is a product of constitutionalism should breach the very constitution which enthroned him.
He warned that the policy could not be implemented without amending the constitution.
On his part, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state Dr. Anyadike assured the workers of the preparedness of labour to drag the state government to the industrial court over the issue. Meanwhile, in less than one week from now, the two weeks industrial dispute notice served the state government will expire paving the way for a massive industrial strike by public servants.
