Restore wage award to cushion hardship – Anambra workers to Soludo

Workers in Anambra have called for the restoration of the wage award, designed to cushion the effect of the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

According to Mr Humphery Nwafor, Anambra State Chairman of NLC, the removal of the wage award by Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, increased sufferings of workers and the masses at large.

Nwafor was speaking on Tuesday to a large gathering of workers in Awka, the Anambra state capital, who trooped out to comply with a two-day protest declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the high cost of living.

Our correspondent reports that the protesters converged and moved from Aroma junction to the Government House in Awka, to register their displeasure over the rising cost of living and economic hardship.

Nwafor said “Gov. Soludo had introduced the wage award of N12,000 per worker in September, and said it would last for four months.

“The Governor should not have removed the wage award, when the hardship that occasioned its introduction has not abated.

“So, we are appealing that the wage be returned to help cope with the current hardship,” he said.

Nwafor said: “We are marching peacefully against government policies that have meted hardship on the entire citizenry, not only the workers.

“There is hunger in the land.

Workers cannot pay their house rents, nor can they afford their children’s school fees and their wages can no more take them home.

“There is high rate of insecurity in the country and that is why the NLC is asking all Nigerians to rise and raise their voices to cry out to the federal government over what is happening.”

Also speaking, Mr Ifeanyichukwu Nweke, Vice-chairman, NLC Anambra chapter, said it was sad that the Anambra state government had not implemented the N30,000 minimum wage.

“The workers in Anambra are poor.

We are calling on the Governor, as an economist who understands the economy very well, to do something about this.

“The wage awards should be restored, while efforts will continue to ensure that the minimum wage is paid, in line with the present economic realities,” he said.

Addressing the protesters, Mrs Theodora Igwegbe, Head of Service, Anambra state, commended the protesters for conducting themselves peacefully.

“I have taken note of your demands and will present them to the Governor. Be rest assured that the governor will look into your demands,” she said.

NEWSVERGE reports that security operatives were on ground to ensure orderliness during the protest.