The
Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) as part of its long term strategies at
dealing with governors owing workers have tasked its members to get
their voters cards and vote massively at the next election.
The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba who was in
Benue to support the workers in their battle over the unpaid wages said
the workers would be taking their destiny in their hands if they
register and vote wisely.
He urged the workers and their families
to ensure that they obtain voters registration cards and to equally vote
in mass at elections as part of the process of using their numbers.
He said most governors cling to the
notion that workers do not vote, and that this substantially explains
the shabby treatment meted out to them. Wabba told the Benue workers
that experience had shown that state governments were not ready to pay
salaries and pensions without a fight, adding that it was up to them to
do the needful to secure the regular payment of their salaries and
pensions.
A delegation of the national leadership
of the NLC led by the President, was in Makurdi, the Benue State Capital
last Monday in solidarity with the workers in the state at the end of
their one week warning strike against non payment of salaries, pensions
and gratuities.
The Congress President has described the
Benue State situation (with a record of seven months of nonpayment of
salaries in ministries and parastatals; eleven months in local governments and teaching institutions, and thirteen months of pension arrears) as the worst case scenario in the country.
Wabba further said Congress could no longer fold its arms while workers in the state are grossly mistreated.
He condemned in strong terms the refusal
of the Benue State Government to pay salaries, pensions and gratuities
after collecting bail-out funds and Paris Club refunds.
The Labour leader expressed shock and
dismay that whereas most other states, relatively speaking, had met
salary and pension obligations to workers and pensioners, the Benue
State Government had been indifferent and insincere to workers and
pensioners.
He said, “The wilful act of the
government was illegal (as it violated all known rules of employment),
callous, morally reprehensible and a betrayal of the trust of workers
and pensioners who had voted the government into office.
“In the light of the pains and
indescribable suffering brought upon the workers, pensioners and their
families, Congress had no hesitation in giving full support to any
lawful action including a full strike action, in pursuit of their
salaries, pensions and gratuities.”
He urged the workers and pensioners to
remain united and not allow government or anyone else to distract them
from their set objectives.
Wabba said it was resolved that the
State executives would urgently take required steps to fully mobilise
all the workers of the state for effective action to defend their
interests.
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