Organized Labour In Rivers State Threaten To Withdraw Services Over Supreme Court Judgement
The leaderships of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC in Rivers State are reacting to the Supreme Court judgement stopping the statutory monthly allocation from the Federal Government to the Rivers State Government.
The Organized Labour in the State frowned at the decision for not putting into consideration the potential negative impact on the people and the welfare of workers regarding their salaries and economic instability the Court decision would cause to the State, if implemented.
In a statement jointly signed by the State NLC Chairperson, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, his TUC counterpart, Sir Ikechukwu Oyefuru and the State Secretary of NLC, Comrade Elvis Oraka as well as the State Secretary of TUC, Elder Danagogo Sunday, further lamented the economic hardship facing the workforce, would worsen, if their salaries are not paid at the end of the month.
The statement emphasized that the judgement posses a severe economic threat to the workers, their families, dependents and the entire State, regretting that the situation may lead to unrest, if not urgently addressed, as workers could not stand-by to watch their families and livelihood suffer.
The Organized Labour in the statement recalled that the primary responsibility of any government is to ensure the safety, protection and well-being of its citizens; affirming that as Trade Union, they are duty-bound to protect and advance the welfare of its members.
*The Organized Labour in the State warned that they would have no choice than to withdraw their services, if workers’ salaries could not be guaranteed*.
The Leaderships of the NLC and TUC in Rivers State used the medium to appeal to President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, Chief Justice of Nigeria, National Judicial Council, the Presidents of NLC and TUC among others; to intervene and prevent the adverse consequences that could arise, if workers are not paid for their services.
While reminding stakeholders of the strategic position of Rivers State in the Niger Delta Region and her economic importance to Nigeria, the Labour Unions are now calling on their members to remain calm and continue to carry out their duties, as they expressed optimism that their plea to the relevant authorities for intervention would be heard and addressed.