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NLC Declares One Week Strike

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The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Ebonyi State chapter has declared a one week industrial action for all civil servants in the State over the none implementation of the New National Minimum Wage by the State Government.

Comrade Egwu said that the industrial action commenced from 00:00 hours of 1st December, 2024 adding that the action was signed by all the affiliate bodies.

Briefing journalists in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, the State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Oguguo Egwu said that the action was in line with the directive of 8th November 2024 by the National body to all State Councils of States yet to comply with extant procedures based on collective bargaining and eventual implementation of the New National Minimum Wage.

He stated that on the 2nd of October, 2024, through the Secretary to Ebonyi State Government, the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru inaugurated a Minimum Wage Implementation Committee adding that Just as the Committee was fine-tunning its presentation, the State Governor unilaterally pronounced a wage award of NGN75,000 to grade levels 1 and 2, and NGN40,000 across board award for Grade levels 3-16.

“This was done in a church service (Holy Mass in Government House Chapel) on the 27th October, 2024. This wage award which he christened “minimum wage” is averse to the traditional procedures of implementing minimum wage no matter the magnitude of the beautiful intent with which he made the pronouncement.

Comrade Egwu noted that when a Minimum wage is pronounced, it goes through the rigours of consequential adjustments that will translate into an agreement signed by both the Government and the Organised Labour.

The pronouncement made was not a product of any collective bargaining agreement as we were never part of any consultation that lead to the said pronouncement.

He noted that the salary chart forced on workers and currently used, did not undergo any consequential adjustment and has consistently malnourished the takehome pay of workers as it lacks minimal progression.

This led to our dear state being mentioned as one of those that never implemented the N30,000 minimum wage of 2019. The Implementation Committee, which we are all part of, has arrived at
an acceptable salary chart with consequential adjustment and substantial progression.

He maintained that the cost implication when compared with the award of October, 2024 has been generated and discussed with the Governor adding that all efforts made by the Chairman of the Committee, the State Governor set-up to bring these facts to his notice have yielded no positive results.

“Even our candid, civil and appealing efforts have also yielded no results as the State Governor have vehemently ignored that kind inner drive to better the lives of Ebonyi Workers.

Comrade Oguguo maintained that the last interaction with with the Governor was on the 27th November, when the union passionately appealed to him to
rescind his decision and take the path of goodwill to the people.

He expressed the regret that despite the ecrutiating pains of a depressed economy and low income of workers, “we have been informed that workers are asked to pay the sum of NGN2,100 to
participate in a staff audit exercise, which the Government approved without any discussion
and commitment from the side of workers.

He said that workers at the Local Government Councils are yet to
receive their October, 2024 salaries. “Teachers who are being paid are paid through a different
bank channel creating confusions as most statutory deductions are not effected.

“This is an anomaly that needs to be corrected before our poor teachers are further plunged into debilitating and abject poverty. And delays in the payment of monthly salaries of these Local Government Councils have become perennial and consistently weighed down on the psyche of the workers.

“Congress therefore met on 27th November and critically reviewed the flow of events and noted with pains, these actions and inactions, and unanimously resolved to embark on a one-week warning strike with effect from 00:00 hours of 1st December, 2024.

He said that the decision is for Government to reconsider its stance on the issue of Minimum wage as well as engage the Committee set-up for this purpose as due dilligence.

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