The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has concluded investigations into the industrial dispute at Radio Bayelsa which resulted to the flogging of four union leaders by General Manager of the station.

The labour dispute had reached a climax on February 22 when the General Manager reportedly flogged four union leaders on their duty posts.

The union leaders were reportedly flogged for organising workers for a strike action, while the General Manager said he flogged in self defense.

The CLO in its report on the dispute urged the Bayelsa State Government to urgently look into the face-off between the workers and general manager of the station in the interest of industrial harmony.

According to the report signed by State Chairman of CLO, Chief Nengi James, and Chairman of the fact-finding Committee Mr Alagoa, both the victims and the General Manager testified and gave accounts of the incident.

The report adhered to the CLO’s longstanding tradition of attempting to investigate the matter with a view to obtaining some related facts to base its decisions on.

CLO maintained its impartiality, adding that its findings were in the interest of public good and humanity in general.

“Following recent happenings at Radio Bayels and the dimension of the rift between the newly appointed General Manager, Dr. John Idumange and workers unions as being reported in the media; the leadership of CLO instituted a fact finding team.

“The aim is to get the immediate and remote causes of the growing conflict with a view to ascertaining the facts and enable CLO appraise the ongoing Imbroglio and contribute positively towards lasting solutions.

“The investigation was also aimed at making recommendations to government at the end of the day, to nip certain negative precedents in the bud, especially as regards Civil Service Rules, human rights and industrial relation issues,” CLO stated.

In its recommendations, the CLO urged the Bayelsa Government to study the report and if need be conduct further investigation and discipline anyone found wanting in accordance with the public service rules.

The report noted that the incessant arrest of workers at the instance of the general manager was provocative and negated the principle of industrial harmony when there are internal mechanisms to discipline erring staff.

“Labour unions should adhere as much as is possible to the principles of industrial relations, no matter what.

“For instance, grievances are not only made known to management during meetings; they could be articulated in writing to Management, pending further legitimate actions.

“Government should be more responsive and proactive whenever similar crisis are identified with a view to nip in the bud promptly and to prevent ugly precedents in the system,” the report reads in part.

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