The Kogi chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened that it’s members will not participate in the fresh screening ordered by the government.
The statement was made on Thursday by the State NLC Chairman, Mr. Onuh Edoka in Lokoja while addressing a press conference.
The NLC chairman who accused the government of insincerity and lack of transparency in dealing with workers said he gave the government till Feb. 10 to pay the September, 2015 workers’ salaries or face industrial action.
He added that during a meeting held on Feb. 2, the government did not mention the issue of fresh screening of workers before payment of their September salaries, he continued that; “We are shocked and surprised that Kogi State government can back stab workers.
“We agreed on the payment of one month salary out of four months being owed us out of honour and respect for the governor. The issue of staff screening was not discussed.
He added that; “Workers have been down for four months; to subject them to any screening now will compound their hardship,”
He said further that while the NLC is not against the scheme of the government to fish out ghost workers and curb corruption, it should provide relief to the workers by paying them their one month salary as agreed.
Edoka continued that pensioners would not be a part of the screening which is scheduled to start February 8 because they are too weak to stand the rigours of the exercise. He proceeded to advise the Governor against bad advice from certain quarters as organised labour will not tolerate anti-workers actions from the government.