The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ebonyi State Council has declared a seven-day warning strike following the state government’s failure to implement the new national minimum wage. This decision, announced by the state NLC Chairman, Comrade Aguguo Egwu, was made during a press briefing in Abakaliki on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Egwu revealed that the strike, effective from 12:00 a.m. on December 1, 2024, aligns with the November 8 directive from the NLC national body, targeting states yet to meet the requirements of collective bargaining and implement the 2019 national minimum wage.
The NLC Chairman criticized the state government for neglecting proper procedures in addressing workers’ demands. He highlighted that while a Minimum Wage Implementation Committee was inaugurated on October 2, 2024, by the Secretary to the State Government, no significant progress has been made.
Egwu expressed dissatisfaction with Governor Francis Nwifuru’s unilateral announcement of a wage structure on October 27, 2024, during a church service at the Government House Chapel. The governor’s announcement included NGN75,000 for Grade Levels 1-2 and NGN40,000 for Grade Levels 3-16. However, Egwu described this as a “wage award,” not a legitimate minimum wage, citing the lack of collective bargaining and consequential adjustments.
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“The pronouncement made was not a product of any collective bargaining agreement as we were never part of any consultation that led to the said announcement,” Egwu stated.
Egwu also condemned the current salary chart imposed by the government, which he said lacks progression and has left workers’ take-home pay stagnant. He accused the administration of failing to implement the NGN30,000 minimum wage from 2019, putting Ebonyi among states that have neglected workers’ welfare.
Additionally, Egwu criticized the government for introducing a NGN2,100 staff audit fee, unpaid October salaries for local government workers, and irregular payment channels for teachers, leading to confusion and hardship.
The NLC met on November 27, 2024, and unanimously resolved to embark on the warning strike, demanding the government address workers’ grievances. Egwu called on the state government to engage the implementation committee and reconsider its stance to avoid prolonged industrial unrest.
Despite the labor union’s firm position, Egwu expressed hope for resolution, describing the governor as a “workers-friendly leader” capable of rectifying these issues.
This strike signals mounting tension between Ebonyi’s workers and the state government, as the NLC seeks justice for laborers amid the country’s challenging economic situation.
