Imo NLC Explains Reasons For Ongoing Strike, Cautions Govt Against Interference

The Imo state chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress has blamed government’s interference in the union’s affairs as reason for the industrial action currently embarked upon by the NLC.

The Acting chairman of the caretaker committee of the union in Imo State, Comrade George Oforegbu while addressing newsmen in Owerri on the reasons for the labor union strike in the state.

He explained that the strike, which was pronounced by the national leadership of NLC led by Comrade Joe Ajaero, was to protest government’s interference in the state delegate conference which was to hold on the 7th of this month, but was disrupted by thugs.

The caretaker committee chairman also noted that part of their grievances is the government’s inability to meet the demands of workers.

Comrade Oforegbu listed some of the demands to include payment of legitimate workers, payment of pensioners, completion of minimum wage, amongst others.

He stressed that discussions were ongoing between the state government and the national leadership of the union to tackle the issues and call off the strike.

The Nigeria Labour Congress Imo state chapter, downed their tools indefinitely from the 8th of this month, shutting down businesses and offices including fuel stations and electricity power generating stations.

Meanwhile, acting national chairman of NLC Imo state chapter, Comrade Philip Nwansi has explained that the union is not aware of any industrial action in Imo state and called on the national body of the union to intervene in the crisis.

In Press briefing in Owerri, he urged the National Union to come to their aid and bring sanity among the members

He explained that the union in the state has nothing to do with the strike action embarked upon by some members without reason or notice to other affiliated unions of the labour.

According to him, the election scheduled to hold on March this year for position of new executives of the union was postponed in the presence of security agents who were on ground to guarantee peaceful atmosphere during the exercise

Comrade Philip noted that to their greatest surprise, Comrade George Oforegbu was announced the chairman caretaker committee two hours after the postponment of the election, which is against the constitution of the union

In his reaction, the chairman of the election planning committee Comrade Uche Chigemezu disassociated themselves from any government sponsorship wether present or past administrations and called on the national body to wade into the matter

Members present were the NULGE president, imo state Comrade Richard Eze and Chairman Imo state RATTAWU.