The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria on Tuesdaygave Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party in Delta State for the February 28 election, to get their votes.
In their separate remarks, the two congresses warned him against including downsizing of workers in his blueprint after he must have been voted into office.
The TUC categorically told him not to heap excuses of non-performance on sharp fall in the price of crude oil.
The union demanded an assurance from him that he would not retrench workers as from May 29 when constitutional powers would have been vested on him.
Leaders of the congresses converged at the NLC House, off Okpanam Road, at the instance of Okowa, for a parley.
There, the flag bearer intimated them of his comprehensive master-plan for the development of the state and his proposed welfare packages for the state’s workforce.
Okowa has since the ticket of the party was given to him in Lagos State during the flag-off of the party’s campaign for the general election, been reaching out to critical stakeholders, including the Elders’ Council in the state on Quick Win Campaigns.
The state NLC Chairman, Comrade Williams Akporeha, hailed him for recognizing the pivotal role of the organized labour in the state.
Comrade Akporeha, who commended him for being workers’ friendly right from when he was the chairman of Ika North-East Local Government Area of the state and later as the Secretary to the State Government under Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan before going to the Senate, assured him of massive support from the organized labour.
“We are ready to work harmoniously with our political masters under an all-inclusive government for over all good and progress of our dear Delta State,” he said.
Okowa said although the dwindling fortune in the oil sector was affecting Nigeria and the state in particular, he would strengthen the legacy of virile civil service built by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, even as he said retrenchment of workers would not start during his tenure.
He said the state’s civil service will be the pride of all.