By Ikhili Monday EBALU, Benin city
The Edo State chapter of the United Labour Congress (ULC) has said it will aligned with her parents body over the ongoing strike commenced by it, noting that no filling station will be allowed to sell fuel from Monday, 18th September.
Comrade Eddy Ossai made this disclosure in an audience with journalists in Benin City while speaking on the current strike action called by the Union.
The United Labour Congress (ULC) has last week directed it’s members to embark on nationwide strike from Monday, 18th September.
Comrade Ossai stated that, “they don’t have the power not to join the central body which called for the strike, adding that doing so will amount to anti-Labour behaviour.”
“All our teams were on standby to ensure no filling station is open for selling of fuel. Anyone found flouting the order will be under lock and key. The PLW is involved.
As far as NUPENG is concerned all its arms are involved. All arms of electrical union are involved. The banks are involved. So, what are we talking about? ”
“We take instruction from the centre and as long as they are the one giving out instruction on what to do, and it is only when they call back their decision to say hold on, then we act. We don’t take instruction from the Hon Minister of Labour. Although, the Minster is the father of all the unions, but as far as we are concern there is need for dialogue”, he explained.
He said as soon as the centre communicate to us then we know. but, if not, we are on strike action. We cannot stop as long as the centre has given a directive. We cannot stop it by any instruction. By Monday, all our affiliates union will go out to make sure that the strike holds. We are in compliance with the centre.
“Government is the issue because as far as I’m concern, government is a father to everybody. And when there are issues, it done on government to call on everybody to say, what are your agitations, and they hear you out. But, for government to frustrate us, I think we are more than frustration because nobody is above the law.
“There have been instances where the civil servants had to protest where the government is going contrary to the law. We are Labour union, there were issues and as registered body, we have the right, “he stated.
“He urged Federal Government through the Ministry of Labour to intensify efforts in resolving the matter between it and the central body noting that they should not because of what NLC is doing want to frustrate them.
“We appealed to the general public to bear with them maintain that the essence of the strike is to address issues raised by the central body advising the government to meet with its parents body so that the issues are quickly resolved in the interest of peace. “We don’t like strike but we want the issues involved to be urgently addressed so we can all live in peace.
“It is unfortunate for them to think there is no union that is as powerful as the NLC. We are all the children of the Federal Government and there is no way they can say they are going to accept one and not accept the other. I don’t think such statement from the Hon Minister the other day was the best that could come from him”, he stated.
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