Labour
movements in Nigeria have threatened to embark on a mass protest if the
Government of Edo state fails to meet their demands in seven days.
Nigeria Labour Congress
The Labour movement made up of Nigeria Labour Congress (TUC), Trade
Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) have
threatened to start a mass protest if Governor Godwin Obaseki fails to
meet their demands in seven days. This decision was reached at an
enlarged State Executive Council meeting in Edo state.
It rejected the implementation of the contributory pension scheme
which it said was done in ‘flagrant and total disregard to due process
and rule of law, reports The Nation.
The Labour movement called on Governor Obaseki to urgently stop
what it termed unlawful deductions from workers’ salaries and maintain
status quo ante in the interest of industrial peace and harmony in the
state.
Addressing journalist after the meeting, State Chairman of NLC,
Emmanuel Ademokun, condemned the non-utilization of about N11.3bn Paris
Club refund received by the state government for the payment of
outstanding workers’ pension and emoluments.
Comrade Ademokun called on Governor Obaseki to immediately use the
Paris Club refund to pay local government workers whose salaries arrears
ranged from between four to 14 months.
Other categories of workers to be paid from the fund according to
Ademokun are staff of Tayo Akpata University and Colleges of Education
in the state, Judiciary staff who are owed seven months salaries
arrears, pensioners in both the state and local government and the 2016
Leave Transport Grant owes Primary School Teaching and non-teaching
staff.
Ademokun also called for the opening of the State Pension Board and
arrears of salaries owed staff of the Pension Board since December,
2015.
According to him, “That Organised Labour in Edo State can no longer
repose confidence and trust in the administration of Mr. Governor
because his policy decision are anti-workers and therefore repugnant to
the principle of natural justice, equity and good conscience.
“The State Government should open the window for a more
comprehensive dialogue with the leadership of organized Labour in the
state towards having a more reliable, dependable, transparent,
purposeful and accountable Contributory Pension Scheme in the state."
Ademokun gave Governor Obaseki till Sunday February 12 to meet the
workers’ demand or face mass protest onFebruary 13 to be followed by an
indefinite strike action on the 14th of February.
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