Cross River workers delisted from payroll give state government 7 days ultimatum

Forum 3 years ago

Cross River workers delisted from payroll give state government 7 days ultimatum

Two thousand five hundred (2, 500) dismissed workers of the Cross River State government have given the State Government seven (7) days ultimatum to rescind its decision or face severe consequences.

It is now one year and one month since the Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade reportedly removed the workers from the state civil service payroll without any communication.

It was learned that after a series of attempts to dialogue with the state government and unfulfilled promises lingering longer than expected, the workers have decided to take proceedings into their hands by calling for their reinstatement.

Addressing newsmen in Calabar, the affected workers promised a showdown with the state government after the expiration of a 7-day ultimatum if their demands are not addressed.

Some affected staff drawn from the various affected MDAs said except their demands are met; the showdown will engulf the state.

“It’s now almost one year and a month since we were forcefully and illegally removed from Cross River State payroll by the governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, which goes against labour law and best practices anywhere in the world.

You would recall that our delisting was effected in September 2019 without cogent reasons and prior notification by the government. Sadly, over 2,500 staff were affected. We were not paid our statutory salaries. The years under consideration have been quite challenging for us.

“As breadwinners in our families, we have not been able to carry out our responsibilities. We can no longer wallow and die in silence. To press home our points, we are demanding unconditional reinstatement and full pay of all our salaries and entitlements.

“The demand above should be met within seven working days from the day of this press release. If the aforementioned demands are not met within the time frame, we the affected staff shall take action not limited to a seven-day peaceful protest, and other measures under the precinct of the law.”

Comrade Paul Ajie Abang, the State Chairman of the Niger Delta Activists Forum (NDAF), while commenting on the development, said NDAF, a civil society organization has been at the frontline in recent times addressing issues of injustice, oppression and marginalization.

We are in full support and will jointly pursue this course to a logical end. It’s their rights and they are doing all it takes within the ambit of the law. We are not new to situations such as this, we will work with relevant bodies to ensure that the workers get what they’re due.

“However, should consultation and consolidation fail, the group would massively mobilize for a total showdown with the state government”.

One of the affected workers, Comrade Nakanda Eyo who spoke on the matter lamented very bitterly about the attitude of the government in handling the matter right from its inception.