Ayade orders striking workers to resume work or risk sack

Gov Ben Ayade of Cross River State has ordered that the striking workers in the state should immediately resume work or he will sack them. Organised labour in the state have been on an indefinite strike since Monday this week over nonpayment of salaries to several civil servants, pension and  gratuities as well as lack […]

Gov Ben Ayade of Cross River State has ordered that the striking workers in the state should immediately resume work or he will sack them.

Organised labour in the state have been on an indefinite strike since Monday this week over nonpayment of salaries to several civil servants, pension and  gratuities as well as lack of promotion. Leadership of labour in the state said on no account must workers return to work without all issues being addressed.

The labour union called for the sacking of secretary to the state government and for the governor to account for N31.1 Billion federal bail out funds he has so far collected for payments of pension, gratuities and salaries.

However in a statement by Ms Tina Banku Agbor, secretary to state government, the governor said, " Workers are hereby advised in their own interests to resume work immediately or risk consequences. "

The statement expressed total disappointment with labour which they said forced workers who have enjoyed regular payment of upfront salaries, to stay at home.

It described the action of labour as unpatriotic and unnecessary especially as it has come at a time when they know that the dwindling federal allocations to the state has not improved.

Government disagreed with labour and insisted that since assumption of Ayade, he has cleared the six years promotion arrears, insisting that he has paid salaries promptly unlike in many states.