NLC IN ABIA PROTESTS AGAINST POVERTY, MAKES DEMANDS

REPORTER: LAWRENCE NWOKEDI

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Abia State Council has staged a peaceful protest against the prevailing high cost of living in the country following Federal Government’s removal of petrol subsidy.

The protesters carried pla cards with various inscriptions including “FG end hunger and poverty now,” “Pay Abia workers their minimum wage,” and “Eight thousand naira palliative to household is an insult to Nigerians.”

Addressing journalists at the NLC Secretary in Umuahia, the Chairman of the Congress, Comrade Ogbonnaya Okoro, listed reasons Labour decided to embark on the protest.

They included rising cost of food items in the market, none implement of the N35,000.00 palliative wage by the Abia State Government, none payment of salaries in some government agencies, none implementation of CONHESS for local government Health worker since 2021 by the state government and none payment of pension and gratuity to some retired workers in the state.

Comrade Okoro called on government to foster relationship with the organised labour by opening a channel of communication to enhance industrial peace in the state.

He also urged the Abia State Government to honour its rule of engagement and civil service rule as well as commence immediate payment of salaries to Abia workers in the government agencies.

Members of the NLC later during the peaceful protest marched to the Government House where they were received by the Senior Special advicer to the Governor on Labour affairs, Mr. Godson Chinedu.

Mr. Chinedu commended them for the peaceful protest and assured them that their message would be delivered to the appropriate quarters.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU