Kogi NLC Strike: Kogi Govt Still Playing Outdated, Undemocratic Cards Of Threat, Blackmail – Labour

Labour union leaders in Kogi state has called on striking civil servants in the state to disregard any threat from the state government and sustain the tempo as the industrial action thickens.

This was made known in a press statement signed by secretaries of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Olakunle Faniyi; Trade Union Congress (TUC); Comrade Kolawole James and their Joint Public Services Negotiating Council (JPSNC) counterpart, Comrade Isah Abubakar.

The union leaders commended the workers for the high level of courage, commitment and determination they have exhibited in the current struggle.

According to Labour, it only takes a people who have lost every sense of self-worth to remain silent and docile in the face of the kind of torment, torture and deprivation that government has subjected the workers of Kogi state.
"It will be terribly suicidal for anybody to attempt jumping out at this point. We are fully aware of the fact that the government is still playing the old and tired anti-social and undemocratic cards of threat, intimidation and blackmail. These, we have told you times without number to disregard and discountenance.

"We are equally aware that some Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries are now directly calling workers on phone to harass and intimidate them to come to office and sign register; this to say the least is very shameful. We are not bothered about the Commissioners because they are politicians who are temporary people that cause permanent damage, but what do we say of the Permanent Secretaries and Directors who are supposed to know the rules, and who were part of the direct victims of this mis-governance, it is most unfortunate.

"We are equally aware that this Government has added blatant lies to her long list of vices they have gone on air to claim that workers have disregarded the directives of labour and are on their duty posts, that the strike is not effective. We will not bother to waste words on the stuttering of a depraved. We leave you the workers to judge, or do they think that their own planet is different from ours?

"We want to quickly remind these Government Appointees that one day, they will either leave the position or the position will leave them. One day, like all mortals, they will die and whatever is motivating them to toe this inglorious part will become meaningless to them. One day, just like any of us, the labour leaders, they will account for the way they are treating the workers whom God has put under them. One Day!

"Once more comrades, we wish to reassure you that we remain as strong as ever, we promise now as always that nothing other than the meeting of all our demands will intimidate us to back out of this struggle. We only urge you to sustain the level of courage and commitment you have displayed so far. As we enter into the new week, ignore whatever will bring you close to government offices, institutions and facilities. By the Grace and Mercy of God Almighty, we shall be victorious.

"We advise government and all her agents to stop these entire gangsters posturing, calm down, look again at the list of workers demand with intelligible mind and map out strategies for meeting them. Enough of this portrayal to the outside world that we do not know our onions as far as governance is concerned. As usual our doors are opened for sincere and responsible dialogue,” the statement reads.

Labour urged workers to continue to disregard and discountenance the personal phone calls to threaten, harass and intimidate them as it is only a sign that they are afraid and threatened by their resolve to stand up now for your rights.