…We have not signed any MOU with Government yet ….Labour 

…there is no going back…Workers kick 

By Ike Uchechukwu, Calabar

Organised Labour in Cross River state  have asked governor Ben Ayade to explain how the 38.8billion naira he received as bailout fund ,Paris Club refunds disbursed.

They further  disclosed that they have not  signed any Memorandum of Understanding ,MoU with the state government yet.

They added that what the various Unions have agreed ( no going back on the strike) stands stressing that government must commence implementation of agreements first before the suspension of the industrial action.

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Vanguard gathered that the  Strike which has lasted for 23 days now, and various meetings held by  Organised labour with government ,Labour decided to brief the workers on developments so far.

Addressing workers in calabar, Thursday afternoon, the NLC chairman Comrade Ben Ukpebi said Congratulated them for their resilient while lauding Labour leaders for the unity .

His words :  “Congratulations to all comrades for a unified Labour. Starting with the issue of gratuity, let us allow the government to start first, since they have announced a plan to make available, 30 to 50 million sinking funds, for the payment of gratuities. 

“We have not singed any MOU so far, we only came to report to our comrades on our negotiations so far.” Ukpebi  said

Vanguard learned that majority of the  workers insisted that Labour demands must  be held unto until the fulfilment of all their demands while kicking  against the suspension of the strike 

They argued  that the government has failed them and that they must see the Governor on the demands

Comrade Ukpebi however, pleaded with them stressing that “we have heard your pain and we feel ur pulse.

On his part,TUC chairman, Comrade Monday Ogbodum said ,they were simply going to report back to government the position of the workers in Cross River .

“we are simply going to report back to the government, what you have said ,” Ogbodum said.

Organized  labour had earlier questioned Governor Ben Ayade about how he  disbursed  the 38.8 billion that he received as bailout funds and Paris refund he got in tranches four times.

In a release signed by Organized Labour comprising NLC,TUC and JNC they questioned Governor Ben Ayade on how the money was spent.

In a release titled “Bail -Out Funds / Paris Club Refunds ; Let workers Get Thier Due” ,they stated that the suffering of workers / retirees was majorly caused by the Ayade led adminstration.

“We wish to remind CrossRiverians that the suffering of workers / Retirees of the state is majorly caused by this Ayde government.

“The Federal government had, between 2015 -2017 ,given monies to the state to apply 75% to tackling workers,retirees plights.Here are funds given basically for workers and retirees benefits .

” Bail-Out Funds first tranch was 7.8 billion naira , second tranch was 11.5 billion,while the state also got 12.5 billion as first tranch of Paris Club refund and 6.75 billion as the second tranch.

“Comrades ,the Paris Club Refunds were monies over deducted from government before the Ayade led adminstration .So,we can say that previous government saved these monies for the present government.

“We are also aware of further unexpected funds that this government have received. It is unfair of governor Ayade not to consider plights of our dying Retirees and workers that have been stagnated for years, Comrades ,continue to stay at home until you hear from us ,” they stated.