The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Abia State have threatened to resume their suspended strike on November 2, 2024, if the state government fails to show commitment and transparency in negotiations over the payment of the new minimum wage.
The unions insist that the effective date for implementing the new minimum wage remains July 29, 2024.
Following a State Action Committee and Executive Council meeting on Saturday, NLC Chairman Okoro Ogbonnaya and TUC Chairman Ikechi Enogwe, among others, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government to conclude negotiations.
The ultimatum began on October 26 and will expire at midnight on November 1, 2024.
“At the expiration of this ultimatum, the organized labour will be forced to reactivate the suspended strike action,” the unions warned in a joint communiqué.
The labour leaders accused the state government of lacking transparency in providing a clear template for minimum wage payments.
“Any payment made to workers in October will be regarded as a bonus or palliative award to cushion hardship, not as part of the minimum wage,” the communiqué stated.
In response, the Abia State government on Saturday called on workers to caution their leaders, accusing the NLC leadership of displaying unnecessary hostility.
The state government’s statement followed a letter reportedly sent by NLC leadership to the Abia State House of Assembly, alleging that the government intended to allocate 90% of local government funds to the state, leaving only 10% for the LGAs.
Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Alex Otti, dismissed the allegations as “fake news,” urging the labour leaders to refrain from spreading misinformation.
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