Just a few days after the sit at home observed in the South East for the Biafra day celebration crippled economic and socio – political activities in the zone, there was yet another showdown this Monday (03/06/24), following the industrial action by the organized Labour in the Country
The Organized Labour comprising the Nigeria Labour congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, in the zone joined their counterparts Nationwide to embark on an indefinite strike over federal government’s failure to agree with the Labour’s four hundred and ninety-six-thousand-naira minimum wage for workers in the country.
In Umuahia, Abia state capital, government offices, state government Schools, hospitals and Banks were under lock and key while some workers who came to work in government offices were asked to go home by the members of the Organized Labour.
Also, the Local Government council workers and their Judiciary counterparts joined in the action which greatly paralysed public activities in these vital areas.
Addressing newsmen shortly after enforcing compliance at the Accountant General’s office, the Chairman NLC Abia state, Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya said that they have gone round most government offices and parastatals in the state to ensure total compliance of strike by workers.
Comrade Ogbonnaya noted that the strike cuts across both the government and private sectors, stating that it would only be called off when directives come from the labour headquarters in Abuja.
In Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi state, the strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and its affiliate unions, witnessed the shutdown of activities in commercial banks, schools, hospitals and the State Judiciary High Court.
Hanto Daily News Correspondent who monitored the action around 9 o’clock in the morning observed that Bank gates were visibly locked, with customers gathered in groups outside the premises, while at the new State secretariat at the Ochudo Estate workers stayed away from offices in compliance with the directives of the organised Labour.
However, Residents of Abakaliki are divided in their opinions on deadlock in the wage negotiations following the over N490,000 minimum wage demand by Labour leaders, as against the N60,000 offered by the Government.
From Enugu comes the report that the situation was the same as the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, National Television Authority and the State Secretariat were among the government institutions in the State where organised labour paralyzed normal activities as the indefinite nationwide strike commenced.
At Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, unionists barricaded all routes leading in and out, forcing workers and air travelers who arrived early for morning flights to leave.
Some civil servants who had earlier arrived for work at the State Secretariat, uncertain about the strike, were asked to return home.
However, there was partial compliance from the private sector, as some commercial banks and filling stations remained open for business.
Speaking in an interview, the Enugu State Chairman of NLC, Fabian Nwaigbo said the enforcement of the strike order will ensure a 100% compliance across the state.
Reports from Owerri, Imo state Capital, say there was total compliance as offices remained under lock and key.
Workers who claimed to be unaware of the industrial action and came for their duties were sent home by the monitoring teams of the Labour.
Reacting in a telephone chat, the Imo state Chairman of NLC, comrade Uche Nwigwe said the strike action was in the interest of the masses to bring succor to them in the midst of the biting policies of the present Federal government.
While stating that the action is not against the Imo stae government, comrade Nwigwe said there must be total compliance to ensure victory at last.
