Minimum wage: NLC embarks on 2-day warning strike in C’River 

     …as Gov Otu appeals for understanding 

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar 

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, cross river state chapter has embarked on two day warning strike action as a result of the state government’s inability to implement the 70,000 naira minimum wage.

This was contained in their bulletin dated 20th Nov. 2024 and signed by the action committee.

It reads; whereas organized labour in the state having listened to briefings from their representatives in the state minimum wage implementation committee and having deliberated on the issue resolved that all workers in cross river state should commence on a two day warning strike action beginning from midnight of Sunday 24th of Nov, 2014

A member of the labour committee who wanted to remain anonymous told our reporter that the organized labour is angry because the government is not forthcoming with the implementation of the minimum wage.

At the meeting of the negotiating committee with the government last week, it was gathered that government wants to buy time as against the expectations of labour 

Recalled that the national leadership of NLC had already directed workers whose State Government are yet to comply with the implementation of the minimum wage in the country to embark on strike action from December I, 2024.

Meanwhile, the State Governor, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, has called on organized labor in the state to reconsider its planned two-day warning strike scheduled to commence from midnight on Sunday, the 24th of November, to Tuesday, the 26th of November, 2024.  

Governor Otu, represented by his deputy, Peter Odey, made this appeal during the 5th edition of the State Solemn Assembly held on Saturday at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.  

“Governor Otu prioritizes the welfare of the workforce,” Odey stated. “In light of this, I appeal to the leadership of organized labor, along with all affiliates of the NLC and TUC, to suspend their planned state-wide strike, and I enjoin them to support the Governor in his quest to improve the lot of our people.”  

Highlighting the progress made since the inception of the Solemn Assembly, Odey emphasized that Governor Otu is committed to building a better Cross River for the benefit of all citizens. 

He urged Cross Riverians to sustain their support and prayers for the administration to achieve its ‘People First’ mantra in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu at the federal level.  

Speaking further, Odey intimated that Governor Otu is committed to improving conditions for both serving and retired workers. 

These include clearing backlogs of gratuities, regularizing pension payments, and implementing overdue worker promotions. 

He also mentioned that Cross River State is committed to paying even above the recommended ₦70,000 new national minimum wage.