The Abia State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticized Governor Alex Otti over the ongoing verification process that has allegedly left many workers unpaid for over seven months. In a circular dated May 11, signed by the state chairman, Okoro Ogbonnaya, and state secretary, Emma Alozie, the NLC directed workers not to participate in the verification until issues surrounding the exercise are addressed.
The NLC expressed concern over the delay in salary payments due to previous verification exercises and questioned the necessity of subjecting workers to another verification process. They described the government’s actions as insensitive to the plight of workers and a disregard for labor rights in the state.
Furthermore, the NLC condemned the government’s decision to conduct the verification without consulting or involving the NLC leadership, viewing it as retrogressive and anti-workers. They emphasized the economic hardship faced by workers and criticized the timing of the exercise, considering the financial challenges they are already experiencing.