AS the industrial action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress in Imo State enters its first day, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has joined the action.
NUPENG, a major affiliate union of the NLC has directed its members in charge of petroleum distribution to withdraw their services immediately in compliance with the directive of the NLC.
The NLC commenced a statewide industrial action in Imo State over months of salary arrears and pension owed workers and retirees in the state.
The President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, has described the Imo State Government as a serial abuser of workers rights and privileges while announcing the strike on Wednesday.
The NLC had advised air travelers to avoid Imo State and users of petroleum products and electricity to seek alternatives. The NUPENG action was a direct reaction to this directive.
“Consequently in pursuit of our legitimate strike action to restore sanity to the state’s industrial relations sphere, we wish to advise that:
those travelling to Imo State through the Airport to look for other alternatives
those that make use of Petroleum products should make efforts to seek alternatives and, those that use Electricity to seek other options outside the National Grid.“ he had said
The NLC said that it decided to call the strike to address the gnawing issue of workers repression and an outstanding 20 months salary arrears owed workers in the state.
Ajaero said in the statement that the state government deliberately stigmatizes the affected workers in question as ghost workers.
The NLC President stressed that the fire must Labour body would accept the violations of the rights and privileges of workers in the state,
Ajaero explained that the current industrial action was prompted by “the brigandage of the state government in conjunction with Security agencies against workers in the state yesterday who assembled peacefully to conduct the State Delegates Conference of the Congress.”
The NLC President listed other atrocities against workers in the state include a declaration that 11000 workers as ghost workers even when they are at work and their salaries diverted.
Ajaero accused the state Government of declaring “10,000 pensioners as ghost Pensioners and refusing to pay them for over 22 Months leading to the death of many.”
According to him, other deliberate acts of the statement government against workers include “Intimidation and Harassment of Trade Union leaders; a witch hunt carried out in different guises.
“Continued use of thugs and instrument of violence against workers in the state as was furthered in the terror of yesterday; Impoundment and illegal diversion of Union dues in the state.”
Others according to him are continuing harassment and intimidation of the entire workforce with constant threats of violence and sack.
He accused the Information Commissioner of the state of deploying the tools of blackmail and intimidation against workers in the state, a situation which has prevented dialogue and has brought the state to ridicule.
Ajaero said that the government has deliberately turned the State into the most uncomfortable clime for workers in Nigeria where it had almost become a criminal offence to be a worker.
Ajaero said that the foremost Labour body is determined to pursue its legitimate industrial action in defence of the rights of workers.
“We are resolved to press home our demands and until these infractions are remedied, we will continue escalating the industrial action till the government is compelled to show reason and restore meaningful and effective dialogue in the state.” He added
He called on the Federal Government to ensure the protection of the lives of the citizens and also restore normalcy in the state.
