Leaders of  organised labour in Enugu State have charged the striking workers not to panic because of the activities of some workers who secretly go to work and sign the attendance register in their various  ministries in spite of the ongoing  indefinite strike.

Addressing the workers at NLC secretariat, Enugu recently amid heavy security operatives, the Vice Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the state, Comrade Christopher Ugwuoke, assured the aggrieved workers that the leadership of organized labour “is still fighting for their welfare” urging them to continue to give them the support needed to ensure that they achieved the desired result.

Comrade Ugwuoke noted that he was fully aware that some workers still sneak into their offices to sign the attendance register, imploring them not to be deterred, but  continue  with the indefinite industrial action in their over all interest.

The State Vice Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ndudi Chude , in his own speech urged the workers not to be afraid because some people are writing their names in the register saying that “anybody who writes name in the register at the ministries is wasting his time.”

Comrade Chude reasoned that the minimum wage issue had gone beyond Enugu State as it is now a zonal matter, alleging  that the South East Governors had resolved not to pay the new national  minimum  wage.

He told the workers that since the governors had formed a forum, they, the workers should equally form their own forum to tell the governors that “it is no pay, no work as the governors have threatened that “it is no work, no pay”.

Comrade Chude said: “If it is no work, no pay threat that is forcing some workers to sign the register, you should not fear because the labour would protect your interest”, he assured.

“I am advising us that in unity we stand.  Workers should not betray one another or their leadership”, he stressed.

However, a mild drama ensued when Comrade Chude finished addressing the workers as the controversial leader of the Workers Forum, Comrade Osmond Ugwu, mounted the podium to ask a question and the NLC Vice Chairman, Chude said the meeting was not for question and answer but only to brief the workers that their leadership is still on with the struggle. He said some of them had gone to court in Abuja in respect of  Governor  Chime’s suit against the organised labour over the ongoing  indefinite strike in the state.

Comrade Ugwu also said that on no account should they accept the salary chart Governor Chime presented them, pointing out that to do so was to commit themselves to perpetual poverty.

He accused the NLC leadership in the state of toying with the workers welfare, alleging that the state chairman of the body  presented  a different salary scale before members of  the Enugu State House of Assembly who wanted to intervene with a view to resolving the lingering industrial dispute.

Comrade Ugwu who sensed that his refusal to heed the directive of the NLC not to make the forum a question and answer session did not go down well with them quietly sneaked out of  the premises.