Okorocha Bows To NLC, Recalls Suspended Workers

Rochas-Okorocha

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo has agreed with the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), to immediately recall all suspended workers and stop everything about concession in the State.

The governor in January announced the suspension of over 5,000 orkers in 19 parastatals, agencies and departments in the State.

Reading the statement to the protesting workers shortly after the conclusion of their negotiation with the Imo State Government, the National President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, directed the workers to suspend the protests and go back to work.

The statement was signed by A. N. Eluwa -Solicitor General of Imo, for the government, Chairman NLC in Imo, Austin Chilakpu, Chairman, TUC, Ezeji Ezeji and eight others for the NLC.

According to terms of the agreement, government would source for funds to pay workers which would be verified by the joint committee of government and labour.

It also said government would fund its operations with not more than 30 per cent of the verified revenue for the month.

The committee would apply the balance of 70 per cent in the settlement of salaries of public servants and pensioners.

The agreement followed the mass protest organised by the NLC, which grounded all economic and social activities in Owerri, the state capital, to a halt.

The organised labour had shut down the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, all ministries and offices, including the LGAs and the state Secretariat as workers trooped out for the protest.

The protesters were led by Comrade Wabba, and other national leaders, including the state chairmen from South/East, South/South and North.

They matched from the secretariat of the Nigeria Medical Association on Port Harcourt road, toward Imo Government House, where they blocked all major entrances.

The NLC national president had demanded for immediate recall of all sacked workers and stopping further sack of workers in the state without following laid down procedures.