NIMC workers issue 21-day ultimatum for industrial action – TheNigerialawyer

Barring the intervention of the Federal Government and
stakeholders, workers at the National Identity Management
Commission are headed for a collision course with the management of
the commission over unhealthy labour practices and poor staff
welfare.

This is also as the workers, under the aegis of the Association
of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, which is an affiliate of the
Trade Union Congress (TUC), has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the
commission for the commencement of an indefinite industrial
action.

These were contained in a letter signed by the Secretary-General
of the union, Isaac Ojemhenke and forwarded to the Senate
President; Speaker, House of Representatives; Secretary to the
Government of the Federation; Head of Service; Minister for Labour;
Minister for Finance; relevant security agencies and chairman of
the NIMC board.

The letter, obtained by The Nation in Owerri, the Imo State
capital, noted that Nigerians should be concerned that at a time
when the NIMC should be living up to its billing, given the
identification crisis currently fueling the spate of insecurity in
the country, the management of the Commission seems to be groping
in the dark on how to effectively manage the commission.

While stating that the workforce has been groaning under
management’s neglect, the letter decried the deplorable state of
the welfare and workplace of staff of the NIMC.

It noted that the enrolment centres across the country are
terribly dilapidated and degenerating to death traps with leaking
roofs, popped ceilings, run-down furniture, poor toilet facilities
and in some cases, no toilet at all.

“As a result, most of the centres have become home to dangerous
reptiles and insects.”

The letter also listed the slash in staff salaries, non-payment
of 28 days allowance to new employees and those transferred from
one post to another as part of the complaints of the workers.

He noted that while workers contend with the lack of staff
training and re-training of staff over the years, they are also
faced with a lack of requisite work materials like diesel, petrol,
toners, printers, internet facilities and others thereby
complicating the already bad work conditions at the NIMC enrolment
centres.

The union regrets that all efforts made to amicably resolve the
lingering labour issues with the management were largely rebuffed
by the management.

“At the meeting of 5th November 2019, the management provoked
the union to do its worse when the union expressed its displeasure
over the management’s inaction,” the union said.

The 21 days ultimatum started counting from the 8th of November,
2019.