Cross River Govt wants workers to suspend strike

The Cross River State Government has called on civil servants in the state to call off their strike, saying it was uncalled for since it has met all the demands of the workers. Addressing Government House Press Corps in Calabar on Thursday, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Tina Bankor Agbor, urged the striking workers to consider the interest of the state and return to work. She said no staff will be victimized for doing so.

The SSG said the strike was unnecessary, especially coming at a time that government, in spite of dwindling federal monthly allocations, has remained committed to making workers welfare a priority. Government, according to Agbor had in a letter dated 14 June, 2017 to the state civil service commission, conveyed the approval of the governor for the promotion of civil servants even when, “for six years, there was no promotion”

She said “while other states were suffering from the syndrome of no salaries, the governor has consistently ensured prompt payment of salaries to workers and sometimes even before the due date” adding, “the governor’s unprecedented magnanimity in appointing 31 new permanent secretaries also created vacancies for Directors in the various MDAs”

Consequently, Mrs Agbor stated, “Having shown such magnanimity and benevolence, it is expected that Labour should reciprocate the governor’s goodwill and ensure that workers put in their best and discharge their duties as expected of them”

In a Memorandum of understanding between the government and the organized labour signed on May 30th, 2017, it was agreed that, “the promotion of deserving civil/public servants shall resume forthwith and letters released while financial implications will be worked out by the Head of Service and Commissioner for Finance for implementation”