Joseph Odok|25 June 2017
The labour unions of Cross River State workers have vowed not to be intimidated by the action of the governor who is alleged to be going around to break the gates of many offices. The action of the Cross River State governor is alleged to be targeted at forcing striking workers to end strike and resume work. This action is too radical for a governor who should rather be looking for ways to negotiate with labour and call them back to duty.
It is recalled that prior to the visit of the Acting President Prof Yemi Osibanjo to Cross River State, the government had entered into a 13 point agenda bothering on payment of salaries, gratuity, pensions and promotions. In an understanding with government, the labour leaders were made to lie before the Acting President that the governor has cleared all backlogs of salary.
Sadly, after the window given by labour, the governor is alleged by labour to have jettisoned a 13 point agreement with labour. Because of alleged insincerity of government, all labour unions embarked on an indefinite strike to press home their demands.
Infuriated by the action of labour for going to strike, governor of Cross River State is alleged to have ordered that the gates of some offices previously placed under lock and key by labour unions be broken with specific order that the workers must return to work. If this be true, it is a mark of rascality not befitting of a governor. This action is not only criminal but violates essential labour laws.
Labour has vowed not be intimidated by the governor and has called on its members to remain at home as strike continues. Labour vows to stop at nothing but full implementation of 13 point agreement reached with government. Labour insists that the governor puts the Federal government bail out fund to the Cross River State government to judiciously use to enable it settle all issues of salaries as signed in a 13 point agreement.
I urge the government to do the needful and pay workers according to agreements reached. More so because of the alleged growing unpopularity of the Cross River State government adjudged by many to be a government of deception, the government must take steps to salvage it's bad name.
Accountability is key to good government, labour must remain steadfast until the government meets all demands by labour especially owing to the fact that the Federal government has made funds available to the Cross River State government to pay arrears of salaries and pensions.
Joseph Odok
Social Change Agent
