The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on workers in the country to perform their civic duty by turning out en masse to vote during the Saturday and subsequent elections.

The congress further charged them to “defend their votes in the forthcoming general elections.”

Addressing a press conference after the meeting of the Central Working Committee on Wednesday evening, NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said the congress had set up a task force on unpaid workers’ salaries across the zones with mandate to ensure that governors pay workers up to date before vacating office.

Comrade Wabba, who read the communique issued after the CWC meeting, reeled out the step being taking by the congress in the interest of the working class and Nigerians.

He said the NLC would picket the office of the Post Master General for unlawful and illegal diversion of the check-off dues of members of NUPTE to another union without the consent of NUPTE.

According to him, the action of the Post Master General is a violation of the Trade Union Laws and the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which guarantees freedom of association.

The NLC president said the congress had constituted a Committee of Experts “to formulate a cogent and coherent response to the emerging issues in the economy as well as advance an alternative development agenda that will address the concerns of workers.”

The meeting commended the Credentials Committee for conducting transparent and credible elections during its 11th National Delegates Conference.

It also congratulated the new leadership and urged them not to succumb to distractions or irritations but to extend a hand of fellowship to the aggrieved parties.

On the issue of the protracted failed housing scheme, Comrade Wabba said the Congress had constituted a Committee on the NLC-Kriston-Lally Housing Project with a view to fast-tracking the process of refunds to subscribers.

He added that the NLC had formally inaugurated the Reconciliation Committee, chaired by Aliyu Dangiwa, the first General Secretary of NLC, and charged the committee with the responsibility of reconciling and returning to the fold of the congress the aggrieved parties.

The NLC has also set up an 11-member May-Day Committee with the responsibility of preparing, facilitating and executing the May Day celebration.