•••THREATENS TO WITHDRAW WORKERS SERVICES IF CURRENCY SCARCITY CONTINUES AFTER ULTIMATUM
•••WARNS ON FUEL SCARCITY, IRREGULARITIES IN 2023 ELECTIONS, GOVERNORS INTERFERENCE ON LABOUR ISSUES
Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Central Bank of Nigerian to immediately release Naira notes to Nigerians of face a nationwide industrial action in seven days.
The ultimatum starts from March 14, 2023.
The NLC also called the attention of the Federal Government to the lingering scarcity, interference in its affairs by state governors and irregularities in the electoral process.
The foremost Labour Centre stated that the Naira redesign policy has caused more harm than good to Nigeria lamenting that Nigerians are going through hell.
The NLC warned that it would withdraw its members from work if the current scarcity of the Naira persists after seven days.
The position of the NLC was contained in a Communique of its Central Working Committee issued after its inauguration on Monday, in Abuja.
The Congress stressed that poor implementation of the Naira redesign policy has caused considerable pain and hardship to the people.
The communique was signed by the President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and the General Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja.
According to the communique, the presidential and national assembly elections; scarcity of PMS and redesigning of the Naira notes and its aftermath are issues that need urgent attention as Nigerians are under severe suffering.
NLC’s CWC noted that despite its broad observations concerning the elections, it is of the position that those with issues with the outcome of the election should utilise the court to seek redress.
“It nonetheless said it found it appropriate to renew our call to INEC to sanitize its image as it disenfranchised many people in the presidential and national elections with consequential effects.” The communique reads.
CWC, therefore, resolved to give the government seven working days beginning from Tuesday, March 14, to make naira notes available to the people or Congress would be compelled to direct its members to withdraw their services.
“Similarly, the CWC-in-session after reviewing the fuel supply situation in the country and the attendant arbitrary costs at filling stations, expressed dismay at the non-challance of NNPC and Government.
“It accordingly resolved ask the NNPC/ FGN to normalize the fuel supply situation.
“The CWC expressed its outrage at the surreptitious increase in electricity tariff without notice and without improvement in quality of service.
“CWC resolved that henceforth any surreptitious increase would be met
With Appropriate response.” The communique further explained.
The NLC observed that while State Council election held in 33 states, were successfully those in Osun, Ebonyi and Imo were marred by interference by Governors.
The NLC condemn interference in the Congress council elections, noting that Governors have no business controlling the state councils of Congress. It also resolved to set up caretaker committees in Osun, Ebonyi and Imo.
Meanwhile, the NLC, in consonance with the provisions of its constitution, has set up statutory committees including the May Day Committee.
According to the CWC, after reviewing the performance of the Labour Party, at the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections, the Union resolved to contribute to rebuilding and repositioning the party by sensitising workers and other Nigerians.
“There were national protest actions in Abia and Imo states over nonpayment of salaries/ allowances and pensions for several months, nonremittance of check-off dues and other anti- union activities.
“Reviewing the performance of the actions, it was noted that Abia State Government has signed an agreement with Congress pending full implementation of the agreement.
The Union stated that in Imo, however, the action was on-going as more unions are poised to join the strike.
According to the CWC, the refusal to implement previous agreements reached between the state government and trade unions since 2021 an the 20 months salary arrears owed to some workers stigmatized as ghost workers and Declaration of 1 1,000 workers in the state as ghost workers and diversion of their salaries even when they were regularly at work are troubling issues of consideration.
It also frowned at the vandalisation of Congress office and equipment by hoodlums recruited by the state government; Implementation of discriminatory pay and institutionalisation of apartheid in monthly payments, refusal to pay eight years arrears of gratuities owed retirees and None appropriate implementation of the national minimum wage laws.
“Harassment, intimidation and brutalisation of trade union leaders in the state; Intimidation of workers in the state; Continuous disregard for Collective Bargaining and Social Dialogue; Violent interference and disruption of the Congress Delegates Conference in Governor’s bid to impose his favoured candidates are not proper.
“The CWC asked the Inspector General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Security to direct their officers and men in the state not to lend themselves to the nefarious activities and nihilistic tendencies of the Governor as that could lead to the escalation of the conflict with the state.
“The CWC similarly also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call the Governor of the state, Senator Hope Uzodinma to order for his SERIAL acts of physical and social violence which have led to the deaths of not a few, adding that an unmoderated Uzodinma was a recipe for anarchy.” The communique reads.
