NLC calls off 3 days strike in Abia
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended the three-day industrial action embarked upon by members of the union in Abia State over non-payment of salary arrears and implementation of agreements previously reached with the state government.
Labour announced suspension of the strike in Umuahia Friday, March 3, 2023, following what they described as “an exhaustive, comprehensive and extensive deliberations with the state government,” during which it said government made renewed commitment to workers’ welfare; as well as government’s quick intervention to resolve the issues raised by the striking workers.
It was gathered that government agreed to pay one month salary to workers of Abia State University Teaching Hospital and Hospital Management Board, respectively and, thereafter, conduct staff audit before working out modalities for clearing the arrears it was owing the workers, an agreement health workers and nurses reportedly rejected outrightly.
Assistant-General Secretary of NLC, Comrade Chris Onyeka, while addressing newsmen in Umuahia, however, explained that though there were varying degrees of issues raised by workers in the state, he was optimistic that the state government was committed to ensuring a more worker-friendly environment as normalcy and industrial are restored to the labour sector in the state.
The NLC National Scribe noted that a more committed and productive workforce would only be possible where a government takes the issues of workers’ welfare seriously and frowned at the inhuman treatment meted out to Abia workers, which he described as unacceptable.
Onyeka called on the state government to not only just sign the agreements on workers’ welfare but to ensure prompt implementation.
Earlier, the state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, had maintained that Abia remains a woker-friendly state and would never take workers welfare for granted as it was committed to ensuring the best for them.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Chris Ezem, the Governor said his administration was taking steps to resolving all the crisis, promising to resolutely implement all agreements reached.
He assured workers in Abia that government takes their welfare seriously and would continue to do so while urging them to keep hope alive and thanked the NLC for showing understanding.
He also assured that government would live up to her expectations and urged Abia workers to keep fate with government.
Commissioner for Information, Barr. Eze Chikamnayo and his Finance counterpart, Dr. Aham Ukoh, and the Head of Service, Mr. OnyiI Wamah, were part of the meeting between Labour and government.
The National Secretariat of NLC had directed Abia workers to embark on industrial action on Friday, February 24, 2023, following the expiration of its 14 days ultimatum to the state government.
