Organized Labour in Cross River State has directed workers to immediately withdraw from the ongoing online audit and verification exercise being conducted for civil and public servants, citing concerns over the alleged inclusion of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) without prior consultation.

The directive was contained in a letter dated June 3, 2026, addressed to the Head of Service and jointly signed by leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) in the state.

In the letter titled “Demand for the Immediate Suspension of the Ongoing Online Audit/Verification Exercise,” Organized Labour expressed strong objection to certain aspects of the verification process and called for its immediate suspension pending the resolution of what it described as “gray areas.”

Labour leaders stated that after several meetings with the Head of Service, the issue of the Contributory Pension Scheme as a component of the verification exercise was neither discussed nor agreed upon.

“For the record, after several meetings with the Head of Service, the issue of Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), as a component of the verification exercise was never contemplated nor brought to the table. And the consultant bear testimony to this fact,” the letter stated.

According to the unions, the development has generated widespread apprehension and suspicion among workers who perceive the requirement as an attempt to compel them to enroll in the Contributory Pension Scheme without adequate consultation, enlightenment, legislative clarity, or agreement.

The labour movement argued that any policy capable of altering workers’ conditions of service, pension arrangements, or retirement benefits must be subjected to broad consultation with Organized Labour and other relevant stakeholders before implementation.

“As a responsible labour movement, committed to protecting the welfare and rights of workers, we consider any policy action capable of altering the condition of service, pension arrangement or retirement benefits of workers as a matter requiring due consultation with Organized Labour and relevant stakeholders before implementation,” the letter read.

The unions further maintained that the concerns raised by workers were legitimate and could trigger anxiety, confusion, and industrial disharmony within the state public service if not properly addressed.

The letter disclosed that Organized Labour convened an emergency meeting on June 2, during which leaders extensively deliberated on the implications of the ongoing exercise before arriving at their decision.

“Consequently, Organized Labour at its emergency meeting held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, deliberated extensively on the matter and assess the implications on the ongoing exercise and hereby demand the immediate suspension of the exercise pending resolution of gray areas,” the unions stated.

In what appears to be a significant escalation of the dispute, labour leaders directed workers across the state to immediately discontinue participation in the verification process.

“Accordingly, all workers are hereby directed to discontinue from the process with immediate effect until further directive,” the letter declared.

The directive was jointly signed by NLC Chairman, Comrade (Amb.) Gregory Olayi I.; Acting TUC Chairman, Comrade Ken Bassey; NLC Secretary, Comrade Odong Bassey Eke; Acting TUC Secretary, Comrade Cletus O. Oke; JNC Chairman, Comrade Raymond A. Akan; and JNC Secretary, Comrade Fidelis Uzu.

Copies of the letter were also sent to the Secretary to the State Government, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters, and the Federal Controller of Labour in Cross River State.

Meanwhile, following mounting concerns from State workers and retirees, the Cross River State Head of Service, Mr Orok Okon Bassey, has ordered the immediate removal of the Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) field from its ongoing online data collection portal.

The directive was made public through an official circular dated June 3, 2026, issued by the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Lucy Bassey Enakirerhi, on behalf of the Head of Service.

The adjustment comes after civil servants and pensioners raised questions regarding why they were being asked to provide PFA details during the verification exercise.

 Addressing the confusion, Mrs. Enakirerhi clarified that the PFA requirement is entirely inapplicable to the State’s workforce, as Cross River State has not yet transitioned to or commenced the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

“Upon review of the matter, the consultants handling the registration exercise have been directed to remove the PFA field from the online registration form, and the necessary adjustment has been effected,” the statement read.

With the glitch resolved, the State Government has urged all public servants, civil servants, and retirees to proceed with their online registration without further hesitation or concern regarding the PFA entry.

According to the circular, the data collection drive remains a critical priority for the State. The administration emphasized that the exercise is designed to compile reliable personnel and pension data, which will be used to enhance long-term workforce planning, streamline pension administration, and safeguard the interests of both active public officers and senior citizens in retirement.