Organized labour in Imo state has suspended the strike action it
declared yesterday [Wednesday].
Dr. Reginald Anyadike, Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the
state, who addressed newsmen after a closed door meeting between
officials of the labour unions and representatives of Imo state
Government in Owerri said that labour embarked on strike following the
failure of government to sign agreement jointly reached on 12th May,
2012.
The Labour leader said that the agreement centred on Governor
Okorocha’s policies of commercialization of Ministries, Departments
and Agencies (MDAs) and on the issue of deployment of workers of the
state civil service to their communities under the Community
government.
He added that the agreement also contains the implementation of
payment of pensions and gratuities to retired workers, promotion of
workers and the restoration of study leave for serving civil servants.
Comrade Anyadike said that the NLC agreed with government that only
MDAs that are capable of generating funds would be expected to comply
with the new policy while salaries of workers would not be determined
to funds generated by MDAs.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Obinna Duruji
commended organized labour for showing understanding on the disputed
issues as regards to the policies and programmes of the state
government.
Though, he admitted that workers salaries will no longer be tied to
the commercialization policy, the Commissioner disclosed that the
organized labour has assured the commitment of workers to assist the
state government succeed in its commercialization policy on the
ministries and parastatals with commercial enterprises will help
government succeed in its revenue drive.
He, however directed workers in the state to return to work on
Thursday the 31st of May, 2012 and enjoined government not to effect
any penalty on any of its members for participating on the strike.
