NLC Condemns Ebonyi Governor’s Threats Against Striking Workers
The Nigeria Labour Congress condemns Ebonyi Governor Nwifuru’s threats to dismiss striking workers protesting the non-implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage. Joe Ajaero emphasized the importance of dialogue and legality in addressing worker grievances while mobilizing affiliates to join the strike until compliance with wage laws is upheld.
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, has publicly condemned the actions of Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, who threatened to terminate the employment of workers participating in a strike over the governor’s failure to implement the new minimum wage of N70,000. Ajaero deemed the governor’s threats as irresponsible, asserting that such measures undermine the lawful exercise of workers’ rights to protest. Furthermore, he highlighted that the strike was initiated after unsuccessful negotiations with the governor regarding the implementation of the 2024 national minimum wage, which had been signed into law months prior.
In his statement, Ajaero maintained that the governor is accountable for exacerbating the situation and emphasized that the Congress would mobilize all its affiliates across sectors to join the ongoing strike. He urged workers not to submit to intimidation and to sustain their actions until the governor acknowledges the necessity of adhering to the legal wage standards. Ajaero affirmed that further instructions would be provided as needed, and noted that the NLC has already mandated other states to initiate strike actions where the minimum wage has not been implemented.
The conflict regarding the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage in Ebonyi State highlights ongoing labor issues within Nigeria. The new national minimum wage law, ratified months ago, mandated states to comply with its provisions. However, numerous governors have been criticized for their reluctance or failure to enact this policy, leading to strikes and protests from workers advocating for their rights. The situation in Ebonyi is part of a broader trend of labor unrest faced by state governments resistant to honoring the established wage laws, culminating in serious threats such as dismissal from public office.
In sum, the Nigeria Labour Congress strongly opposes Governor Nwifuru’s threats towards striking workers, citing them as detrimental to dialogue and negotiation. The NLC has urged all affiliates to support the strike until compliance with the law is achieved. As this situation develops, the labor organization remains committed to championing workers’ rights and ensuring that minimum wage laws are enforced appropriately across the nation.
Original Source: punchng.com
