Social, economic activities crumble in C’River as workers commence indefinite strike

Government, economic, social and political activities have crumbled in Cross River state as workers commenced indefinite strike in the state. All government offices in the state have been closed down by the order of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and workers forced out of their offices by the unions.

Sadly, social, economic and political activities have been grounded. Our correspondent who went round the state capital and feelers obtained around other local government areas revealed that, government workers ignored the threat of the state government of No Work No pay.

The state governor, Prof Bend Ayade had, through the Special Adviser, Administration, Governor’s office, Calabar; Mr. Mark B. Obi, threatened to deal with any worker who adhered to the call for indefinite strike action by the organizes labour.

Government, in the press release signed by Mr. Obi repeatedly aired on state radio and television, warned civil servants that they should remember the labour law that stipulates ‘No Work, No Pay’ and warned them to rescind their decision on the planned strike.

“The organized labour should carefully note the relevant section of the Nigeria Labour Act, which provides for ‘No Work No Pay.’ The Cross River state government uses this medium to appeal to the organized labour in the interest of state development to shelve the proposed industrial action and allow government the needed atmosphere to implement the agreement as reached.

All civil servants are please advised to take note and be at their respective duty posts to discharge their functions as required.

Consequently, when the workers reported on duty yesterday morning, the labour enforcement officers drove them away from their offices.

At virtually all the government primary and secondary schools visited, pupils and students were seen rooming the streets as their teachers drove them out of their classes. In a bulleting No 6/2017 titled Resumption of Indefinite strike made available to our correspondent the group lamented the strike.

Due to SSG’s failure to convey the agreement reached between government and organized labour to the v=civil service commission for implementation of promotion two weeks after it was signed, workers are hereby advised to stay at home from Monday, 19th June 2017. Please Stay at home in your own interest and that of the civil service.”

Also made available was Bulletin no 8/2017 titled radio announcement, the duo said “We now know that government action not to implement the 13 point agreement is deliberate.