The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Sunny James, on Tuesday, criticised the Akwa Ibom State Government for allegedly withholding the salaries of 723 workers since July 2019.
James, who spoke during the Solemn Assembly organised by the Akwa Ibom State Nigeria Labour Congress in Uyo, said the salaries of the affected workers were stopped without explanations.
He claimed that four of their members, who worked with Jubilee Syringe Company, were also sacked for demanding their rights.
“The state government stopped salaries of 723 workers since July. They have neither been recalled nor given reasons for the stoppage of their salaries and they have not been sacked.
“You cannot employ somebody and he has been working for two years and suddenly you say the mode of their employment was not correct. So labour is not in agreement with the mode of employment they are talking about.
“In 2019, four labour leaders, who did nothing wrong, were sacked from Jubilee Syringe Company for demanding their rights. Although we have reported to the governor, they have not been recalled,” he stated.
James lamented that retired workers in the state from 1999 till date had not been paid their gratuities.
He also stated that salaries and other entitlements had not been paid to local government employees, even as the governor had given directives to the effect.
He described the actions of the state government as victimisation.