Wabba4,000 allegedly listed for retrenchmentTHE Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) led by Ayuba Wabba, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to intervene in the alleged anti-labour policies of Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha.According to Wabba, since the Buhari-led administration was anchoring its mantra on anti- corruption and provision of two million yearly jobs for the unemployed, Okorocha should be warned not to sack workers using the downturn in the economy as an excuse.Wabba stated this on Wednesday in Owerri, the state capital during a one-day labour rally and peaceful protest he led with national and South East officials of the congress in solidarity with workers in the state.The workers, clad in black attire, walked from the Edede Street, Owerri office of the congress to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), office off Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, where Wabba addressed them, expressing displeasure over the way Okorocha allegedly disbursed the over N26.4 billion bailout fund from the Federal Government last year for the payment of workers’ salary arrears, without consulting the NLC.He also faulted the decision of the state government not to pay over 18 months pensions and gratuity to retired civil servants and primary school teachers.The Guardian gathered that the state government was accused of allegedly compiling a list of over 4,000 workers for sack.According to the NLC, “APC government promised to create two million jobs yearlyfor Nigerians if voted into power. Why is itthat at federal level, Buhari is talking of employing 500,000 teachers in 2016, while Okorocha is planning to sack.”Okorocha later held a meeting with the leaders of the NLC, reminding them that he was the only governor in the federationpaying N20,000 as minimum wage, instead of N18,000.
