The government of Imo State has threatened to stop the salary of any civil or public servant in the state who embarks on strike action.
Imo state government also threatened to shut down hotels, supermarkets,eateries , stores and others which fail to adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocol as stipulated by the state’s COVID-19 committee, the Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies.
A release from Imo State Government House notes that Governor Hope Uzodinma had, via a statewide broadcast on Friday, also threatened to jail any proprietor of a hotel, supermarket, fast-food place or night club who fails to ensure strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocol including the compulsory wearing of face masks.
Also,it warned that provision of hand sanitizers, regular hand-washing and social distancing must be observed.
The governor also announced the setting up of four mobile courts, two in Owerri and one in Orlu and Okigwe Zone,each, to try defaulters. Uzodinma also warned that same measures would be applied for “all forms of religious gatherings, marriages, funeral and markets”.
Meanwhile ,.Governor Uzodinma has warned civil servants in Imo against embarking on strike action. The governor said while his administration was determined to continue to pay workers’ salaries regularly, it would however, stop the payment of salary of any worker who decides to join in what he described as “a baseless strike action”.
Uzodinma insisted that his policy of “no work no pay” was in line with the “Trade Disputes Act” and International Labour Law provisions.
The Imo governor described some labour leaders in the state as unpatriotic and warned civil servants not to allow themselves to be used as instrument in the lands of said labour leaders.
Efforts to reach Comrade Austine Chilakpu, Imo NLC Chairman were unsussesful as his two telephone lines were switched off at the time of going to the Press
