NIGCOMSAT workers threaten strike

The Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) has threatened to disrupt all official activities by embarking on a 3-day warning strike at the Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT).

Already, the association had written the Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shitu, warning that workers would commence strike action, unless the issue of promotion and victimization of its members in the company is addressed.

The letter, dated  January 10, with Reference number SSASCGOC/LAB/17/2018/9941 , was signed by SSASCGOC President, Mohammad Yunusa and the General Secretary, Comrade Ayo Olorunfemi.

Titled: “Re: Operational Modalities in NIGCOMSAT-Our Demands,” the letter read: “Under the directive of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Association we refer to our letter No SSASCGOC/HM/FMCT/1/2017/ of 9th Oct 2017 on the above subject matter and observe with dismay the non-response to any of the issues raised.

“We are most concerned about issues that bother on the rights of our members; particularly the issue of promotion. As we speak, one of our members is being victimized  for  refusing to participate in activities that promotes corruption in the workplace.

“We shall be left with no other choice than to embark on a 3-day warning strike to drive home our points, if nothing is done to address all the issues raised in our letter under reference within 21 days from the date of receipt of this letter.

Speaking with our correspondent, Comrade Olorunfemi, condemned the promotion exercise done by NIGCOMSAT management after a long pressure from the union, adding that the promotion was lopsided as important issue of seniority was lost due to earlier embargo and delay in the process.

He said the union would not accept a situation whereby some senior officers have to forfeit one year due to no fault of theirs but just because the management decided to place embargo on promotion.

“The essence of promotion is to motivate, but when promotion is becoming a de-motivational factor, there will be reduction in productivity and the union would not accept that.

On the victimization of its member, he explained that an officer, who is the head of account refused a directive from an executive director to pay a money which was not approved and was being victimized.

He stated that the officer was removed from his position against the civil service rules and what the government of President Muhammadu Buhari stood for.

Comrade Olorunfemi, said the present government came into power on the mantra of corruption, saying that the minister should conduct an investigation into this case and ensure that workers who stand up against corruption are not punished.