At last, labour dialogues with Imo govt, suspends strike

• As Abia NLC embarks on indefinite strike
Organised labour, consisting of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), has suspended its ongoing industrial action in Imo State.

The suspension was disclosed, on Monday, after the labour unions’ leaders and the state government officials met and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The terms of the agreement include: “That a tripartite committee of representatives of the state government, NLC and TUC, headed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), should expeditiously look into areas of disagreement between government and organised labour.

“That both parties condemned the circumstances that led to the alleged disruption of NLC’s 13th State Delegates Conference, as well as May Day celebrations, and pledged to ensure peaceful conduct of all activities of the labour unions in the state.

“That the state government would seek ways of compensating those who may have suffered confirmed losses, as a result of aforementioned disruptions.

“That leadership of the labour unions agrees to suspend its ongoing industrial action in the state to enable peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues in an atmosphere of mutuality.

“Both parties undertake not to punish any worker or official, as a result of his/her actions or inactions arising from the industrial action.”

Also, electricity supply was restored on Monday, following the resolution. Residents of the state were happy as power was restored after one week of cut in supply, as a result of the strike.

MEANWHILE, NLC, Abia State chapter, yesterday, declared an indefinite strike action and ordered all state public/government workers to comply. 
 
Chairman of the state NLC Caretaker Committee, Pascal Nweke, told journalists that when the labour union met with the state government, they reached an agreement, which was signed by both parties; but the government did nothing after that.

He said: “They invited me, as well as our secretary and explained that they had problems with their banks. We gave them time to solve their problems, and, later, they still did nothing.

“Last week, to our surprise, the state government embarked on discriminatory salary payment by paying council staff members March salaries, whereas others are owed more than 36 months salaries.”