By Polycarp Onwubiko
Anambra state workers celebrated its 2024 May (Workers) Day at Dr Alex Ekwueme park, Awka Anambra state. Due to the exigency of duties, the Governor, His Excellency, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Gilbert Onyekachukwu Ibezim.
The venue was filled to
capacity presumably due to the high expectations of workers on substantial
welfare packages which might have prepared for them by the state government.
A Welcome Address was jointly
prepared by the NLC/TUC leadership and read by the Chairman of NLC, Comrade
Humphrey Nwafor. There were a plethora of demands presented to the Governor
expectantly to be appreciated by the state government. The workers were excited
as the pressing demands were read out; and with bated breath, listened to the
Deputy Governor in his response to address each of the demands to their
satisfaction.
Undoubtedly the workers
exhibited anxiety and justifiably expected that the unimaginable all-round
difficulties in the provision of basic needs that led to indescribable
privation which they are passing through sequel to the present harsh economic
situation in the country would be satisfactorily addressed or hope to be
addressed in a very short time. But their solemn expectations were not readily
available as the Deputy Governor said that a Committee had been empaneled to
address the justifiable demands of the workers.
The demands of the labour
unions include: stopping of the Contribution Pension Scheme since it has not
been properly executed, appointment of Civil Service Commission, Commissioners
so as to resume the welfare of workers namely: promotions, advancements,
transfer, etc., recruitments in the MDAs due to the retirements of workers that
were due for retirement, reinstitution of the "Wage Award" that was
granted in September to December 2023 pending the resolution of the expected New
Minimum Wage, hastening of work on the workers housing scheme at Isiagu
community since shylock landlords have jerked up house rent to hundred percent.
Other demands include payment
of the staff of water board who have been suffering for the past ,14
years,purchase of buses as the available ones are in a state of disrepair,
appointment of Hon Commissioner for Labour and productivity or special
assistant on labour matters, staff training and workshops, staff recruitments
and appointment of permanent secretaries in the local government councils, and
provision of parcel of land for the building of Labour House as obtained in
other states of the Federation.
Speaking to press, a Pensioner
who would not want his name mentioned expressed disappointment with the welcome
address of the NLC by not mentioning the thirteen (13) years of accumulated
arrears of pension harmonization from May 2012 till date, in addition to
appealing to the Governor to harmonize pension and not awarding a meagre
percent to the peanut they are being paid.
There was a mild drama after
the reading of the welcome address by the chairman NLC when he said that there
should be match past before the address by the Deputy Governor. The workers,
presumably due to exasperation with their suffering and privation demanded that
the Deputy Governor should address them before match past and it was permitted.
The Deputy Governor commented
the workers and especially the elaborate organization and massive attendance
for the May Day celebration. He thanked the workers for their resilience and
support for the Prof Soludo Administration. He acknowledged the plethora of
demands in the welcome address but said that the Governor knows about the
demands and had empaneled a Committee which would submit the recommendations
addressing those demands and passionately appealed for a little more patience
to assuage the deep yearnings and aspirations of the labour force in the state.
President at the May Day
celebration were Hon Commissioners, Chief Judge, Secretary to the State
Government, Chief of Staff, Head of Service, Permanent Secretaries and members
of the State House of Assembly. Later, there was match past by each of the
labour unions.
Polycarp Onwubiko is a media
commentator, Awka, Anambra State.
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