The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has condemned the threat by the Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, to sack striking workers or refuse to pay them for the strike period.
Mr Ajaero, who stated this in a statement on Monday night, accused Mr Nwifuru of refusing to implement the new N70,000 minimum wage, an action he termed as a display of impunity towards workers in the state.
Recall that Nwifuru threatened the workers to resume work within the next 72 hours or risk being sacked.
The Ebonyi NLC commenced a one-week strike on Monday in compliance with the directive of the NLC headquarters to state chapters to commence strikes in states yet to implement the new minimum wage.
The strike was effective in Ebonyi on Monday as most civil servants did not come to work.
Nwifuru, however, argued that the state already adopted the new minimum wage as sno worker was receiving below the stipulated N70,000, making the strike unnecessary. He also said his administration has implemented a salary increase for other categories of workers.
However, the thrust of the NLC’s grudge is that the increment for other categories of workers was done without negotiations and agreement with the labour union.
Reacting, NLC President, Joe Ajaero described Governor’s Nwifuru threats as irresponsible and unhelpful.
The statement reads,
We are dismayed by the statement credited to the Ebonyi State Governor, Mr Nwifuru that except the striking workers in the state over non-payment of the National Minimum Wage resume work immediately they should consider themselves sacked.
We recall that the strike action was preceded by failed conversations and notices to the Governor on the need to implement the 2024 national minimum wage since it was signed into law several months ago.
The law has provisions for enforcement by workers. Beside this, a strike action is a lawful/legimitate tool in the hands of aggrieved workers.
In light of this, we consider the threats by the Governor as irresponsible and unhelpful.
What a reasonable Governor acting reasonably ought to have done was to invite the labour leaders in the state for dialogue for a speedy resolution of the facts in issue. But he thinks he is God.
On our part, we want the world to know that Governor Nwifuru is the first to draw blood in a matter of which he is completely guilty.
We also want the world to know that the right of response is available to us in pursuance of a just cause. Accordingly, the National Secretariat of the Congress has directed all the affiliates including those in the private sector to immediately join in the strike action. It similarly urged the workers already on strike to not yield to the threats of the Governor. They are to sustain the momentum until the Governor sees the need to not only behave properly but pay the minimum wage in compliance with the Law.
In the coming hours, further directives will be given as we deem fit.
Comrade Joe Ajaero
President
