Cross River workers’ strike: Ayuba Wabba tasks Gov Ayade to halt escalation of industrial unrest

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba has called on the Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade to take urgent steps to address the ongoing labour strike in the state.

In a letter titled: RE: NOTICE OF INDUSTRIAL ACTION signed by Wabba, and obtained by News Express, Wednesday, the NLC leadership reminded the state governor that state workers embarked on the industrial action due various reasons the state Council of NLC communicated to him before they commenced their strike on October 7.

Wabba noted in the later that the state workers decried the refusal of the state government to address their pertinent concerns which include:

Non-implementation of promotions to workers at both State and Local Government levels;

Non-payment of Gratuities to both State and Local Government workers;

Non-remittance of deductions from workers’ salaries;

Failure to fully implement the National Minimum Wage to both State and Local Government workers;

Non-implementation of full 27.5% Teachers enhancement allowance;

Stoppage of Tax exemption and allowance for teachers

Stoppage of annual incremental to both State and Local Government workers;

Return of payroll to both Accountant General and Ministry of Local Government Affairs for both State and Local Governments respectively;

Payment of salaries to workers wrongfully removed from local government payroll by the Auditor General for local government;

Reinstatement of pensioners wrongfully removed from the payroll

Lift of ban on the collection of check-off dues from commercial drivers by NURTW and restoration of NURTW to Motor Parks in Cross River State;

Immediate stoppage of deductions from workers’ salaries for the purchase of laptops and without workers’ consent;

Payment of Hazard Allowance for Medical and Health and balance of 30% CONHESS; and

Inclusion of al staff employed but yet to be put in the payroll by the State.

The NLC leadership therefore urged Ayade to expeditiously attend to the foregoing genuine concerns and demands by workers in Cross River State.

The NLC president added: “Your expeditious response will help to apprehend the ongoing strike action and the escalation of industrial unrest in Cross Rivers State which has built a reputation of industrial peace and harmony for many years now”.

He stressed the workers await the governor’s expedited action.