Anambra: NLC Gives 7 days ultimatum

…Frowns at fraudulent activities going on in Ndi- Olu MfB.

By Felix Oti, Awka

The organized Labour Anambra state has given seven (7) days ultimatum to the Anambra state government to urgently constitute civil and judicial service commission, review upward, the suspended wage award and as well, look into the Inhuman and fraudulent activities going on at Ndi -Olu Micro Finance Bank or face industrial action.

This was contained in six paragraph joint communique issued on 5th day of March , 2024, signed by the Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Sir Humphery Nwafor (KSJI) ,Comrade Gaius Chukeuka JP ( Sec. NLC), Comrade Chris Ogbonna (TUC chairman) and
Barr. Comrade Alex C. Ebi JP (TUC sec)

The ultimatum came after extensive deliberation of NLC/TUC state Executives council meeting held at Labour House. The organized labour deliberated extensively on some burning issues over workers welfare in Anambra state.

According to the communique made available to our reporter, the organised Labour resolved as follows.

On the issue of Contributory pension scheme, the labour union described as a scam a situation where workers salaries is been deducted without counterpart remittance from the government and retired workers could not access part of their salaries deducted.

“The deductions since 2018 were kept in government coffers without constitution of the board to regulate the activities of Pension Fund Administrations (PFA’s).

the organized labour therefore demand for immediate suspension of the deductions of contributory pension scheme from workers salaries and immediate refund of those monies deducted from workers salaries.

On the corrupt practices at Ndi-olu microfinance bank, the organized labour frowned at the inhuman and fraudulent activities going on in the microfinance Bank. The organized labour therefore demands for immediate dissolution of Ndi-olu microfinance Board and call on government to set up a panel to investigate the activities of the bank which are not limited to monies deducted from workers salaries ford recapitalization, non remittance of shares accrues to workers of Anambra State.

For non constitution Of Civil And Judicial Service Commission: The organized labour viewed the act amongst others as negligence and deliberate by the government and ploy to destabilize the system and stagnant workers from being promoted and have access from other entitlements.

The organized labour demands for immediate constitution of all board that are due for reconstitution to enable workers have access to their rights and privileges.

Appointment of Permanent Secretaries: The organized labor frowns at the non appointment of permanent secretaries for 2 years as an act of insensitivity on the part of government to the advancement of workers and welfare growth. The organized Labour expressed dissatisfaction with the usage of only three permanent secretaries in running the 22 MDA’s as stipulated in Anambra State finance act 2020.

The organized labour demand for immediate appointment of permanent secretaries for smooth running and administration of civil service.

Speaking on Wage Award, the organized labour felt disappointed over sudden removal of Twelve Thousand Naira (N12,000) wage award by Anambra State government even when hunger and hardship in the land persists.

The organized labour expects the government of Anambra to emulate her counterpart in the federation who are putting measures to cushion the effects of excruciating hunger, hardship and deprivation in the country by providing palliatives and upward review of the removed wage award to her workers and sustain the payment till the full implementation of new minimum wage commences.

For Non appointment of Commissioner for labour and Productivity or Special Adviser (SPAD) on Labour matters, the organized labour felt neglected over the non appointment of SPAD or Commissioner for labour and productivity or creation of this important ministry in the state to oversee the affairs of Labour matters and its activities, as this has been hindering the advancement and progress of labour union activities in the state.

The organized Labour expects the state government to have emulated its counterparts in the 36 states of the federation in creating this all important ministry than treating the organized labour with uttermost negligence which is causing commotion among Labour leaders in the state.

In view of the above issues, the organized labour demands that the issues be resolved within 7 days and after the expiration, if the demands are not met, the organized labour will not guarantee industrial peace and harmony in Anambra State, the statement concludes.