The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, on Tuesday, described the threat made by Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru towards workers protesting the non-implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage as irresponsible.
In a statement made available to our correspondent in Abuja, Ajaero expressed dismay at the governor’s actions.
Governor Nwifuru had threatened to sack workers who went on strike over the non-payment of the minimum wage.
Ajaero noted in the statement that the strike was preceded by failed talks and notices to the governor about the need to implement the 2024 national minimum wage, which had been signed into law several months ago.
“The law provides for enforcement by workers. Furthermore, strike action is a lawful and legitimate tool for aggrieved workers,” Ajaero said.
“In this regard, we consider the threats by the governor to be irresponsible and unhelpful. A reasonable governor should have invited the labour leaders in the state for dialogue to resolve the issue promptly. But he seems to think he is above it all.”
“We want the world to know that Governor Nwifuru is the first to escalate this issue, despite being fully responsible for it.
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“We also want the world to understand that we have the right to respond as we pursue justice in this matter. Consequently, the National Secretariat of the Congress has directed all affiliates, including those in the private sector, to immediately join the strike action.”
Ajaero added that workers already on strike should not yield to the governor’s threats, urging them to maintain momentum until the governor recognises the need to comply with the law and pay the minimum wage. He further stated that additional directives would be issued as necessary.
Meanwhile following the NLC had instruction to states whose governments have not implemented the new minimum wage to commence strike action, the Civil servants in Akwa Ibom State have resolved to embark on strike on Wednesday, 4th December 2024, over the non-implementation of the national minimum wage in the state.
Akwa Ibom State is among the states yet to implement the new wage.
According to the communiqué, signed by the SEC chairperson in the state, Sunny James, and made available to our correspondent in Uyo on Tuesday, the SEC-in-session resolved as follows, “That His Excellency directs the signing of the New National Minimum Wage Agreement, which shall state the effective date of implementation while the staff verification exercise shall continue.
“That if by midnight of Tuesday, 3rd December 2024, the agreement mentioned in (1) above is not signed with the effective date and month of commencement for payment properly indicated, all workers in the state shall commence an indefinite strike action over the non-implementation of the new wage.
“That the SEC-in-session hereby acknowledges the directives of the national leadership of the NLC and the presidents of affiliate unions to commence action on 1st December 2024. However, due to the peculiar situation of the burial of the First Lady of our state, the strike date was shifted by three (3) days, and all workers are hereby directed to proceed on strike on Wednesday, 4th December 2024, if the agreement is not signed by that time.
“That workers are further directed to come out en masse to the Akwa Ibom State Government House gate at Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, on Monday, 9th December 2024, to massively protest for the payment of their New National Minimum Wage.”
