Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has directed that arrears of worker’s check-off dues, if any, owed to industrial unions in the state be paid immediately.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr A.C.B Agbazuere who conveyed the Governor’s directive during a meeting with the Leaders of the organized labour in the state in his office in Government House Umuahia disclosed that the directive is as a result of complaints from the organized labour in the state in respect of the non-remittance of worker’s check-off dues by government and some government agencies.
Dr Agbazuere who condemned in totality the unauthorized withholding of check-off dues meant for labour unions in the state described such act as a criminal breach of trust and fraudulent also warned that nobody should dent the image of the state government through such unwholesome practice.
The Chief of staff to the Governor while describing the organized labour in the state as partners in progress pleaded with them to abandon their proposed picketing scheduled to hold today, Wednesday (01/07/2020) as a result of complaints of some wrongful deductions in pensions assuring them that the Governor will look critically into their demands.
He further used the forum to advice those responsible for remitting check-off dues of worker’s to the organized labour to be properly guided as well as warned that any government official who withholds workers check-off dues, does so at his or her own risk and does not have the authority or protection of the Governor to do so.
In their separate responses, the state NLC Chairman, Comrade Uchenna Obigwe, the State TUC Chairman, Comrade Sunny Onwuma and their Joint Public Service Negotiation Council counterpart, Comrade Chris Okoro commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and his Chief of Staff, Dr A.C.B Agbazuere for their efforts in seeing to it that check-off dues are remitted to the labour unions as and when due through the circular, disclosed that the Governor has by doing so exonerated himself from the non-remittance of check-off dues of the unions.
Business Hilights gathered that the meeting which featured the handover of the circular to the leaders of the organized labour attracted the presence of the Permanent Secretary Government House Umuahia, Mr Alozie Odoemelam.
