The Organised Labour in Cross River State, consisting of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has called on the state governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, not to grant assent to the Contributory Pension Scheme Bill recently passed by the State House of Assembly. The labour groups requested that engagement with Labour leaders on the proposed legislation should take place before any approval is given.
During a Labour stakeholders brainstorming session held at the NLC secretariat in Calabar, the state capital, the Labour leaders issued a warning of potential industrial action if the governor proceeds to assent to the Bill without prior consultation.
In a communique jointly signed by the State NLC chairman, Comrade Gregory Olayi, and state secretary, Comr. Odong Bassey Eke, along with other representatives, the organised labour criticized the Cross River State House of Assembly for hastily passing the Pension Bill into law during a recess, with parliamentary staff on strike.
The communique, dated November 21, 2023, urged Governor Otu to refrain from assenting to the Bill and emphasized the importance of engaging with Labour and stakeholders to prevent potential industrial crises. The labour groups expressed disappointment with the governor’s change in disposition towards labour and called for constructive dialogue to address the concerns raised by the proposed legislation. The communique also highlighted the need for proper consultations to avoid imposing policies that are improper and unwelcomed by the people of Cross River State.