Thugs have disrupted the rally organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in continuation of the ongoing five-day warning strike in Kaduna to protest Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s sacking of workers in the state.
The rally was held at the NEPA roundabout, Ahmadu Bello Way area of the state, where the organized labour was addressing the workers of their intention to ensure that El-Rufai reinstates the sacked workers.
Earlier in their address, the affiliate unions expressed their support for the NLC in its struggle. They lamented the action of the Governor for not following the down process of relieving the workers of their jobs and resolved that they would not surrender until their demands were met.
The organized labour explained that failure of the state governor to meet their demands, would lead to a nationwide strike to bring sanity in the workforce across the country.
The NLC is accusing governor El-Rufai of sacking 21,770 Kaduna State Primary school teachers sacked since 2017 and over 30,000 workers disengaged through competency tests and are yet to receive their benefits.
The organized labour is also accusing the Governor of recently sacking 7,310 Local Government Employees, 3,000 civil servants and 1,700 Primary Healthcare Board workers in the state.
It lamented that about 20,000 workers are yet to be paid April salary, while over 11,000 civil servants are currently penciled for disengagement and conversion to casual and contract workers.
The state governor was also accused of prolonged and tortuous verification of Pensioners and non payment of pensions for over four months.
According to NLC, “Intimidation and harassment of workers to contract out of the Union; non-remittance of statutory check off dues to Trade Unions; workforce reduction in gross violation of workers and extant provisions of Labour Laws.”
It expressed dismay at the unlawful reversal of minimum wage for Local Government employees; withholding Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Endwell contribution since December to date; non implementation of promotions; non issuance of permanent and pensionable appointments to newly recruited teachers; and payment of Grade Level 8 staff with Grade Level 7 salary.
The NLC said it has resolved to put an end to these gross violations of workers and Trade Union rights, saying enough is enough.
