Godwin Kingsley, Lafia Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura has said workers promotion remains a privilege and not a right.
The governor who was reacting to the industrial action embarked upon by the Organised Labour, disclosed this at the swearing-in ceremony of members and chairman of boards of parastatals in Lafia, Monday.
The governor faulted the body which comprises of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, for embarking on strike because of “the biometric exercise we intend to carryout to reduce waste and shortchanging of government funds”.
Al-makura also accused the workers of dragging the state backward saying “they are not more than 1% of the state populations but consume 95% of the state revenue”.
The governor also expressed dismay at the strike embarked upon by the labour unions adding that government has approved the promotion of workers up to 2012.
Reacting to the governor’s statement, the state chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Asoloko Maku who spoke to our reporter on phone argued that promotion of workers is a right when they are due for it.
Asoloko, referred the governor to the scheme of service for workers, which stipulates that a worker should be promoted when he or
she is due for it.
It is pertinent to note that, the Organised Labour embarked on an indefinite strike on Monday 4, agitating for the approval of their pending promotions and payment of leave grand.
Prompt News Online reports that, 48 board chairmen and members were sworn-in to oversee 10 government parastatals.
