…We have not signed any MOU with Government yet ….Labour
…there is no going back…Workers kick
Organised Labour in Cross River state which houses the NLC, TUC and JNC, have asked governor Ben Ayade to explain how the 38.8billion naira he received as bailout fund, Paris Club refunds was disbursed NEGROIDHAVEN can report authoritatively.
They further disclosed that they have not signed any Memorandum of Understanding, MoU with the state government yet.
They added that what the various Unions have agreed (no going back on the strike) stands stressing that government must commence implementation of agreements first before the suspension of the industrial action.
Vanguard gathered that the Strike which has lasted for 23 days now, and various meetings held by Organised labour with government, Labour decided to brief the workers on developments so far.
Addressing workers in Calabar, Thursday afternoon, the NLC chairman Comrade Ben Ukpebi congratulated them for their resilience while lauding Labour leaders for the unity.
His words: “Congratulations to all comrades for a unified Labour. Starting with the issue of gratuity, let us allow the government to start first, since they have announced a plan to make available, 30 to 50 million sinking funds, for the payment of gratuities.
“We have not singed any MOU so far, we only came to report to our comrades on our negotiations so far.” Ukpebi said
It was learned that majority of the workers insisted that Labour demands must be held unto until the fulfilment of all their demands while kicking against the suspension of the strike
They argued that the government has failed them and that they must see the Governor on the demands.
Comrade Ukpebi however, pleaded with them stressing that “we have heard your pain and we feel ur pulse.
On his part, TUC chairman, Comrade Monday Ogbodum said, they were simply going to report back to government the position of the workers in Cross River: “we are simply going to report back to the government, what you have said ,” Ogbodum said.
Organized labour had earlier questioned Governor Ben Ayade about how he disbursed the 38.8 billion that he received as bailout funds and Paris refund he got in tranches four times.
In a release signed by Organized Labour comprising NLC, TUC and JNC they questioned Governor Ben Ayade on how the money was spent.
In a release titled “Bail -Out Funds / Paris Club Refunds; Let workers Get Thier Due”, they stated that the suffering of workers/retirees was majorly caused by the Ayade led adminstration.
“We wish to remind CrossRiverians that the suffering of workers / Retirees of the state is majorly caused by this Ayde government.
“The Federal government had, between 2015 -2017 ,given monies to the state to apply 75% to tackling workers, retirees plights. Here are funds given basically for workers and retirees benefits.
“Bail-Out Funds first tranch was 7.8 billion naira , second tranch was 11.5 billion,while the state also got 12.5 billion as first tranch of Paris Club refund and 6.75 billion as the second tranch.
“Comrades, the Paris Club Refunds were monies over deducted from government before the Ayade led adminstration .So,we can say that previous government saved these monies for the present government.
“We are also aware of further unexpected funds that this government have received. It is unfair of governor Ayade not to consider plights of our dying Retirees and workers that have been stagnated for years, Comrades, continue to stay at home until you hear from us,” they stated.
