EBONYI WORKS DEMAND IMPROVED PAY PACKAGE AS UMAHI APOLOGIES FOR OFFENDING …

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

The organized labour in Ebonyi State has called on Governor David Umahi to liaise with his successor to work out a living wage for workers in the state considering the prevailing economic realities in the country.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the State, Professor Ogugua Egwu, made the call at a Joint Workers Day at Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium Abakaliki.

Being the last Workers Day to be celebrated by the present administration in Ebonyi State, it was expected that Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium Abakaliki venue for the event would be filled to capacity with fanfare by workers but the reverse was the case.

The Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Professor Ogugua Egwu, who delivered a speech alongside his Trade Union Congress Counterpart, Comrade Chidi Igboji, called on Governor Umahi to see his remaining days in office as an opportunity to address the plights of workers.

The workers’ demands according to them, include payment of living wage to them, harmonization of pension and gratuity management scheme and implementation of judiciary autonomy as well as approved welfare packages for judiciary workers.

Governor David Umahi represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, called for the adoption of the organised labour as the 4th tier of government for proper engagement, noting that his administration had created 65 thousand direct and indirect jobs and approved exit package of N10,000.00 for state workers and N15,000.00 for Local government employees.

He appealed to the workers to support the incoming administration in the state and apologized to any of them he might have offended while discharging his duties, claiming it was not intentional.

There was a march past by workers and members of affiliate unions of the organised labour in the state.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU