Polycarp Sola-Abakaliki
Ahead of the upcoming general elections, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ebonyi State has placed demands on gubernatorial candidates to make provision for a living wage rather than minimum wage for workers if elected.
The chairman of the union, comrade Nwafor Ikechukwu gave the demands in Abakaliki during the prayer and presentation of Ebonyi worker’s charter of demands which was held at S.t Theresa’s cathedral.
Ikechukwu said that it becomes necessary for workers to speak with the candidates and have them sign the charter of demands before giving their votes in order not to regret their actions after the election.
“Some years back we made a mistake, workers stick their necks without giving Candidates the chance to speak to us, we heard from one person, we followed him, and unfortunately, workers today are not better than before then.
“Ebonyi worker’s charter of demands did not just start here, it started from the federal level of our union to all the presidential candidates, and we have been asked to repeat the same to all the States, especially in Ebonyi where workers are suffering “. Ikechukwu said.
As sighted by eyewitness reports, the charter of demands focuses on ensuring the welfare of Workers, improvement of the educational sector, and establishing Local Government Autonomy.
Other demands on the list include agreeing to the autonomy of the state House of Assembly and the Judiciary, improvement of the Business Climate and the healthcare system as well as improvement of security, and creating an atmosphere for regular Interface with the organized Laboųr.
The charter of demands also captured the need for the running of an Inclusive government, ” to promote the cause of unity among Ebonyi people by ensuring that appointments and projects are evenly spread across the state to enhance inclusion and public peace”. it added.
The Gubernatorial Candidates present at the event who agreed to sign the charter included Engr Chukwuma Nwandugo of the Action Alliance (AA) and Professor Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Others included Dr Edward Nkwegu, Labour Party (LP), Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Sunday Opoke, Young Progressives Party (YPP), and Prophet Adol Awam of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) respectively.