The Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers State Council, Comrade Beatrice Itubo, Monday stormed the secretariat of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) in Port Harcourt, as part of sensitization of workers, preparatory to the forthcoming industrial action planned by the union to ensure that the Rivers State Government implements the report of a tripartite committee set up to address issues affecting workers in the state.
The NLC boss, who addressed members of NCSU with candour, said the visit was a continuation of a sensitization programme the union started two months ago to put the workers in the right mood for the planned strike.
Moving a motion to empower the NLC to embark on legitimate action if the government fails to meet the demands of workers in the state, the chairman of the Civil Service Commission Unit of NCSU, Comrade Karibi Asawo highlighted the ordeal facing the average civil servant in the state in the face of worsening economic conditions in the country.
He said there was need for the state government to do something substantial to ameliorate the sufferings of workers in the state by implementing the report of a tripartite committee it graciously set up some years back as a way of improving the welfare of the workers.
The motion was seconded by the chairperson of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Unit of NCSU, Comrade Rosemary Elebachi Igwe.
On her part, Itubo listed the issues affecting workers in the state to include non-payment of gratuity and pension arrears to retired civil servants, non-promotion of workers, for several years; and lack of employment among others.
She said as soon as the state governor of the state, Nyesom Wike implements the report of the tripartite committee and addresses issues affecting workers in the state, the workers would gladly support and tag along with him as a son of the state.
Itubo noted that the NLC and workers in the state would take keen interest in who is going to rule the state come 2023, as they are in liberty to support any aspirant, and advised workers to remain resolute, firm and committed in pressing home their demands.
The operatives of the department of State Services (DSS), the police and the vigilante group of Nigeria (VGN) provided security at the event.
