NIMC workers issue 21-day ultimatum to its management

Workers of the National Identity Management Commission and its management are heading for a collision course over unhealthy labour practices and poor staff welfare.

The workers, under the aegis of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has issued a 21- day ultimatum to the commission for the commencement of an indefinite industrial action.

The letter was signed by the Secretary-General of the union, Isaac Ojemhenke and copied to the Senate President, Speaker, House of Representatives, secretary to the government of the federation, head of service, minister of labour and productivity, the minister of finance, relevant security agencies and chairman of the NIMC board.

The letter noted that Nigerians should be concerned that at a time when the NIMC should be living up to its billing, given the identification crisis currently fuelling the spate of insecurity in the country, the management of the commission seems to be groping in the dark on how to effectively manage the commission.

It stated that the workforce has been groaning under management’s neglect and further pointed out the deplorable state of the welfare and work place of staff of the NIMC.

It observed that the enrolment centres across the country are terribly dilapidated and degenerating to death traps with leaking roofs, popped ceilings, run-down furniture, poor toilet facilities and in some cases, no toilet at all.

“As a result, most of the centres have become homes to dangerous reptiles and insects,” the union alleged.

The letter also listed the slash in staff salaries, non-payment of 28 days allowance to new employees and those transferred from one post to another as part of the complaints of the workers.

The union noted that while workers contend with the lack of staff training and re-training of staff over the years, they are also faced with a lack of requisite work materials like diesel, petrol, toners, printers, internet facilities and others, thereby complicating the already bad working conditions at the NIMC enrolment centres.

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The statement regretted that all efforts made to amicably resolve the lingering labour issues with the management were largely rebuffed by the management.

“At the meeting of November 15, the management provoked the union to do its worse when the union expressed its displeasure over the management’s inaction,” Ojemhenke stated.

The 2- day ultimatum starts from November 8.