Anambra labor calls off 'political' strike

The one-week strike embarked upon in Anambra State by the State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress has been called off after a lengthy meeting among the state Government, labour leaders and elders of the state, represented by Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, one time governor in the state. Proclaiming the strike over, leader of Labour in the state, Comrade Anthony Ugozor, thanked the Governor for his patience and maturity in handling negotiations with labour.

Ugozor, also, thanked the former Governor of the State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife for his interest and active participation in negotiations that led to the call off of the strike. Ugozor said Ezeife impressed it on labour to make concessions and to realize that there was not much any government could do to increase the salaries of workers in view of the global financial meltdown.

Ugozor said labor was grateful to Peter Obi’s government for agreeing to pay the workers 40% housing allowance instead of 30% it paid previously. The government, also, agreed to pay salaries of two domestic servants to officers on Grade Level 16 and 17 and one to officers on Grade Level 15.

Obi’s government, Ugozor revealed, has promised to set up Committees to look into other demands of labour, while those that have to do with increment had been suspended until the economy improves.

Ezeife declined comments on the resolution of the face-off, but one of the elders present at the meeting, Chief James Udoka, expressed happiness over the suspension of the strike. Udoka called on other elders to emulate the commitment of Ezeife in contributing to the growth and development of the state rather than prance about the state inspecting projects and dishing out instructions to contractors on contracts they never paid a kobo on in order to cause confusion. (Former Governor Chris Ngige should take note).

It will be recalled that Ngige, recently, inspected the on-going construction of the pedestrian building at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK) junction, and even dished out instructions to the contractor handling the project.

Speaking on the suspension of the strike, Governor Obi said it was a welcome development, considering the future of the state. Obi stated that his government would continue to work closely with labour in the interest of the state.