Some civil servants disengaged by Abia State Government last year for being non-indigenes of the state, Wednesday , took their protest to the Enugu State Government during the May Day rally with a plea to get them reabsorbed in their home state without further delay.
Two of the affected workers dressed in black attire participated in the march past in a dramatic style at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu and were cheered by hundreds of participants who expressed sympathy with them for losing their jobs in the states where they have resided for many years.
The workers who carried a black banner with white inscription, knelt before Governor Chime’s representative as soon as they got to the spot where salute was taken in a passionate plea to the government to re-engage them having lost their sources of livelihood.
Although both the government representative and labour officials declined to comment about the protesting workers, their participation in the march past appeared to have been carefully arranged by the labour to enable them draw the attention of the state government to their plights.
Those from Enugu State affected by the Abia State indigenization policy are yet to be absorbed into the state civil service, according to sources.
Addressing the state workers at the event, Governor Sullivan Chime commended the partnership and mutual understanding between his government and workers in the state saying that the relationship has contributed to the success of his transformation agenda for the state.
Chime said the administration was committed to building a functional public service system that would continue to thrive long after he has left office.
To achieve this he said, the government has set new standards and continued to meet its obligations to public servants in the state in a prompt and responsible manner while also continuing to make their welfare and re-training a priority.
The Governor who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mrs Ifeoma Nwobodo added that the ultra-modern workers’ secretariat now under construction was designed to help improve the work conditions and environment for workers and restore them the sense of decency, dignity and productivity on the job.
Stressing that the administration was committed to making a break from the past in order to achieve its set goals, the governor enjoined workers in the state to key into this initiative by striving to attain higher efficiency levels in their areas of responsibility.
He assured the workers that the government would work with their leaders to resolve all outstanding differences and ensure that the relationship between them remained strong and cordial.
Earlier in their separate addresses, the Chairman of the state chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Chumaife Nze and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe lauded Governor’s achievements especially in the infrastructural development of the state and in the prompt payment of worker’s salaries and entitlements since the inception of his administration.
They however pleaded with the government to address all existing disputes with the organized labour while pledging their resolve to continue to engage in consultation and dialogue with government to iron out such differences.
The workers specifically called on the government to review upward their salaries in order to produce an acceptable salary chart. They also appealed to the state government to reactivate some its industries that have gone moribund.
Comrade Nze in his speech called on the government to revamp Enugu State Broadcasting Service,(ESBS) Government Printing Press/Daily Star, stating that the revamping of the parastatals would provide gainful employment for the youths.
He used the opportunity to draw the attention of the government to the plight of volunteer workers, disclosing that they were demoralised because they had not been paid the N18,000 monthly stipends promised them since they were employed years ago.
Highlights of the ceremony were march pasts by various trade unions and performances by traditional dance troupes.
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