As Akwa Ibom Nigeria Labour Congress backtracked on its planned indefinite industrial action with the government, some people in the state have given knocks while others have heaped kudos on labour for the action.
NLC had given Akwa Ibom government a 14-day ultimatum with effect from October 26, this year to implement its 13-point demand failure of which it would embark on an indefinite industrial action.
However, the ultimatum expired November 9 but the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting of NLC, Akwa lbom State Council met at Workers’ Solidarity Centre, Atan Offot, Uyo and reviewed the ultimatum.
In a telephone interview with Straightnews on Tuesday, Mr. Anietie Idok, a retired deputy director of Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC) noted “I feel government has not done well and has not recognized the contributions of a class of people to development of the state. Does government want to find out the cost of paying gratuity to workers? Is government not collecting monthly allocations from the Federal Government to be paying at least N1 billion to the pensioners? Does government want them to die particularly those on drugs without money to pay for such?
“I think government is not sensitive to the plights of the workers. Setting up a committee means delaying payment of entitlements to the workers. And it worries me. This is playing politics with human lives. It is unfortunate that government is not paying attention to the yearnings of those contributing to the development of the state.”
Franklyn Isong, the state Chairman of Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) said “It is a welcome development that labour backed down on the industrial action now. Government does not want workers to take to streets to protest of their demands.
“My appeal is that labour and government should return to the negotiating table and ensure all the issues are resolved. Such issues as payment of gratuity to next-of-kin of the late primary school teachers and completion of flyover at Ikot Oku Ikono, Uyo, among others affect many and should be sorted out.
“We in CLO are with the workers. Government’s cardinal function is to provide welfare for the workers and to provide security for the citizenry.”
Comrade Asuquo Akang, the Vice Chairman of NALVERT in the state remarked that “Labour ought to exhaust all the avenues for resolution of the issues at stake. I think at the expiration given by the government, labour should not negotiate again but should proceed on indefinite action to press home its demands.”
A senior civil servant who spoke with Straightnews on condition of anonymity said “Though it is good to exhaust all avenues of dialogue, government is trying to buy time. I want to advise the labour to be careful else government would play intelligence n itt by not implementing the demands.”
Recall that the meeting on Monday, November 9, NLC acknowledged the commencement of payment of the 2020 Leave Grant to workers in some MDAs, the commitment given by the Government to commence payment of outstanding leave grants to workers of the Unified Local Government system as well as primary school teachers.
Labour also appreciated the receipt of appointment letters by up to 200 out of the 403 local government health workers, who were delisted from the payroll in July, 2019, the commitment given by the Government to commence payment of death benefits of primary school teachers to the next-of-kin and the implementation of promotions and payment of arrears to workers in some MDAs.
The State Government’s commitment to the settlement of the issue of thefour sacked Labour Leaders of Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company, Onna Local Government Area was hailed.
SEC-in-session observed further, that action on the above-stated items, as well as on all other demands can be completed within the 30-days window which the Committee has to do its work.
Consequently, SEC-in-session resolved as follows: That the 14-day Ultimatum which expired by 12.00 midnight today, 9th November, 2020 be stood down to enable the Negotiation Committee to complete its work and that at the expiration of 30 days beginning from Wednesday, November 11, 2020, the relevant organs of Congress shall meet to review the Committee’s Report and direct as appropriate.
