Imo: Serial Abuse, Violation Of Workers Rights, Enough is Enough – NLC Declares

…Says, the state is fast becoming a ghost territory

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has described the government of Senator Hope Uzodinma of Imo state as ‘a serial abuser and violator’ of the rights and privileges of its workers by deliberately turning the State into the most uncomfortable clime for workers in Nigeria.

It noted that the state that once prided itself as the Eastern Heartland which provided weekend rendezvous to those looking for relaxation and comfort, has by the deliberate actions of this government, become heavily terrorised.

The Labour Congress stressed that the present situation in the state especially as it concerns reasonable and effective social dialogue has become so toxic that it is almost impossible to engage the government in any decent conversation.

It further said that the Hobbesian state of nature has become prevalent exposing not just workers in the state but institutions and individuals to the most horrendous of scare, fear and violence in their daily activities.
These were contained in a statement by the President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, who also stated that moving around the state requires extra caution as a heavy pall of gloom seems to have enveloped the state.

The NLC President therefore declared that workers cannot fold their hands and watch the state turn into a camp of horror and a ghost state because of the irresponsible actions of some operatives bequeathed with the powers of state.

He specifically said that the use of instruments of state as weapons to terrorise workers and the people cannot be accepted in sane engagements, stressing that it was only by the action of responsible organisation like the Labour movement and other patriotic individuals that such perfidy could be stopped.

The NLC president specifically said that the resort to blackmail and falsehood through the Information Commissioner of the state whose infamous role as an attack dog of the administration has not only scuttled reasonable and effective social dialogue but, has also brought the state to ridicule.
In the words of Ajaero; “As it stands today, the state has almost made it seem a criminal offence to be a worker. We have taken notice of the previous actions of the government and had warned severally of the implications of their unreasonable actions and had demanded that a new leaf be turned but sadly, these warnings were left unheeded.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we restate below some of the atrocities of the state government against its own workers. They are: 20 months Salary arrears owed to some workers stigmatised as ghost workers
Declaration of about 11,000 workers in the state as ghost workers even while they were physically at work and diversion of their salaries.
“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.

“Declaration of about 10,000 pensioners as ghost pensioners and refusing to pay them for over 22 Months leading to the death of many. Harassment and intimidation of the entire workforce with constant threats of violence and sack
“Citizens’ engagements with the government are almost non-existent while participation in social life is petering to nothing.

“It is within this context that NLC in continuation of the State wide Industrial action in the State which has already commenced this morning and which 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.
“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 declared.
The NLC said that it is resolved to press home the demands of workers until the infractions are remedied, adding that workers will continue escalating the industrial action till the government is compelled to show reason and restore meaningful and effective dialogue in the state.
The NLC President therefore called on the federal government to use whatsoever may be at its disposal to protect the lives of the citizens and workers in Imo state, stressing that the actions and inactions of the state government are capable of turning the state into a ghost state which must be avoided.

He further said; “The actions of the federal government would go a long way in ensuring that sanity is restored and the people free to participate in social activities without fear and intimidation”.