The leadership of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ),  South East, has reacted to the indefinite  suspension of  Mrs Vivian Ottih by the management of Imo Broadcasting Corporation, IBC, describing it as hasty, high handed and against all labour laws.

The National Vice President of NAWOJ in the zone, Comrade Chibota Edozie, speaking for the association described the action of the Corporation as one done in bad fate, and urged the state government to lift the suspension and clear the backlog of staff salaries.

She further submitted that NAWOJ "are persuaded to think that this action does not have the blessings of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma because he won’t sanction such high-handed action.

“This is against the backdrop of the fact that this action would be an embarrassment to the National Chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who, apart from being very close to Gov Uzodinma, fought all his labour years, for what Mrs Ottih is being victimised"

Mrs  Ottih, a Senior Editor with IBC  had complained of 3 months unpaid salary of staff of the Corporation and was subsequently sent on indefinite suspension by the acting Director-General, Mrs Osuchukwu.

The NAWOJ leader further added:  “More regrettably, the suspension is labour-related, based on her innocuous Facebook post on the three- month outstanding salaries of workers in the Station.

“Apart from the ill-timing of the suspension, which came shortly after Mrs Ottih gave birth, her claim on the outstanding wages has not been disputed by her Station’s management.

“We find the action of her indefinite suspension as hasty, high-handed and against all known labour laws.

“All women journalists in the whole of South East therefore call on the Director-General of IBC to rescind this suspension and effect the payment of all the arrears of outstanding wages of workers in the establishment,”  she affirmed