23rd December, 2024
By Paul Dada
The Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has refuted the claim by its national leadership that the Labour House in the state was raided by agents of the state government.
A statement jointly signed by the Acting State Chairman, Bernard Egwekhide, and the acting State Secretary, Kingsley Ireotoi, said it was not true that security agents sent by the state government forcefully broke into the Edo Labour House and ransacked the place.
The statement said, “This is to deny claim by the NLC national secretariat that the Edo State Government forcefully broke into and ransacked the Edo State Labour House.
“Instead, the police officers seen in a video shared by former chairman, Comrade Odion Olaye, were stationed at the premises upon the request of the congress leadership to safeguard the building and its properties.
“There is a long-standing cordial relationship between the Edo State Government and the various labour unions, including the NLC. Recently, there was a meeting between the state government and labour representatives aimed at addressing irregularities in the minimum wage (administrative wage) implemented by the previous administration.
“Furthermore, the Edo State Government has never engaged in any acts of vandalism or intimidation against labour unions or their properties. We believe such allegations are intended to tarnish the image of the state government and sow unnecessary discord between the government and the labour unions.”