Following the directive by the National Leadership of the Organized Labour to State councils yet to benefit from the new national minimum wage, the Ebonyi State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has embarked on a one week warning strike from 00:00 hours of 1
st December, 2024.
The Ebonyi State NLC in a -Seven- point demand to the Ebonyi State government, accused the government of not implementing any consequential adjustment, consequently malnourishing the takehome pay of workers.
The Council observed with pains that Ebonyi State was already in the list of States that never implemented the NGN30,000 minimum wage of 2019.
The NLC while recalling that on the 2nd of October, 2024, through the Secretary to Ebonyi State Government,
the Governor inaugurated a Minimum Wage Implementation Committee and just about when the Committee was fine-tunning its presentation, Governor Nwifuru, 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, that was done in a church service.
The NLC reminded Ebonyi State Government 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 Organized Labour.
The Organized Labour therefore described the Governor’s pronouncement as his personal wish and not a collective agreement as they were never part of any consultation that lead to the said pronouncement.
The Statement further noted with concern that the salary chart forced on workers and currently used did not undergo any consequential adjustment.
Ebonyi NLC wants the Implementation Committee, which they are all part of to arrive at an acceptable salary chart with consequential adjustment and substantial progression.
The Ebonyi NLC leadership regretted that their interaction with the Governor on the 27th November, when they appealed that he rescind his decision and take the path of goodwill to the people in line with your People’s
Charter of Needs mantra was not accepted by the Governor whofollowing directive of National body to State councils yet to comply with extant procedures based on collective bargaining and implementation of the new national minimum wage.
unequivocally said a capital “NO” to their friendly appeal.
The Council further noted with concern Stated that most workers at the Local Government Councils are yet to
receive their October, 2024 salaries while Teachers who are being paid through a different bank channel are experiencing confusion as most statutory deductions are not effected.
