NLC gives Cross River ultimatum to pay workers

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Cross River State yesterday gave the state government a 21-day ultimatum to settle all outstanding salaries owed workers in the state.

During a protest in Calabar, the workers said the state government is owing workers in the state three months’ salaries and as such, they have given a 21-day ultimatum for government to pay up and also honour the agreement reached with the NLC in October last year.

The Cross River State NLC Chairman, John Ushie, who briefed workers before the rally, said, among others: “As much as we sympathise, mourn and condemn the gruesome killing of workers in Nasarawa State while driving home their legitimate demands, workers in Cross River State should take note of what they are doing.

“We are not here because of the gratuity and pension but because of the national rally called in solidarity with NLC in Nasarawa State. But we want you to note that we have given Cross River State 21 days ultimatum to obey the agreement they entered into with us in October 2015.”

In a similar vein, unions under the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) also held a rally at the premises of the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, to protest against the planned concession of four major airports in the country.They said the planned concession would not be in the interest of workers and that the government should jettison the idea.

The State Chairman of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Idisi Ambrose, said the FAAN workers say “No” to airport concession, adding that if airports were to be concessioned, the management should not start from the four viable ones.

Commenting on the protest, Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour, Mrs. Alice Erem-Abung, appealed to the Labour leaders for calm as the state government has the interest of workers at heart.