2021 was very turbulent for workers in Rivers – NLC

The Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress has described 2021 as a very turbulent year.

The state chairman of the union, Beatrice Itubo made the comments while assessing the welfare of workers in Rivers state for the year in review.

Itubo noted that the state government failed to address most of the demands of workers in the state.

She listed some of the demands to include, promotion of workers, payment of gratuities for pensioners, employment amongst others.

She said “I will say the year has been very turbulent, although God has been merciful.

“We didn’t have it on a platter of God. I wouldn’t say it was rosy for us the workers and pensioners of Rivers

“Of course you know that the pensioners has always been on the street demonstrating because they have not been paid gratuities and pension arrears.

“And also the workers are grumbling, they are not happy because right from the inception of this administration there has not been promotion”.

She, however, expressed optimism that the issues of non-payment of gratuities and pension arrears will be addressed next year having been captured in the 2022 budget of the state.

The Labour leader also disclosed that the union has commenced the mobilization of members for the planned nationwide protest by the NLC in January over the plan by the federal government to remove petroleum subsidy.