NLC shuts down Ebonyi, blames Gov. Nwifuru for pronouning wage award without consultation

By Uchenna Okeh 

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ebonyi State chapter, has blamed the governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru for failure to consult the association before the pronouncement of wage award instead of ‘minimum wage’ and therefore, declared warning strike.

The state chairman of NLC, Egwu Oguguo who spoke with newsmen in Abakaliki at the weekend, said that there is no agreement reached by both the  government and the organised labour, before the pronouncement of wage award instead of ‘minimum wage’.

Oguguo, noted that the governor, Francis Nwifuru unilaterally pronounced a wage award of N75,000 to grade levels 1 and 2, and N40,000 across board award for 

Grade levels 3-16 which according to him,  is averse  to the traditional procedures of implementing minimum wage no matter the magnitude of the beautiful intent.

He argued that when a minimum wage is pronounced, it goes through the rigours process of consequential adjustments that will translate into an agreement which would be signed by both the  government and the organised labour, 

According to him: “On behalf of the entire State Council, we convey a notice of a one week warning strike action by  Nigeria Labour Congress in Ebonyi State beginning from 00:00 hours of 1st December, 2024. 

“This is in line with the directive of 8th November 2024 by our national body to all State Councils in States yet to comply with extant procedures based on collective bargaining and eventual 

implementation of the New National Minimum Wage. 

“Recall that on the 2nd of October, 2024, through the Secretary to Ebonyi State Government, you inaugurated a Minimum Wage Implementation Committee. 

“Just about when the Committee was fine-tunning its presentation, Your Excellency, unilaterally pronounced a wage award of N75,000 to grade levels 1 and 2, and N40,000 across board award for Grade levels 3-16. This was done in a church service (Holy Mass in Government House  Chapel) on the 27th October, 2024.

“This wage award which you christened “minimum wage” is averse to the traditional procedures of implementing minimum wage no matter the magnitude of the beautiful intent with which 

you made the pronouncement. 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 Organised Labour.

“The pronouncement made was not a product of any collective bargaining agreement as we were never part of any consultation that lead to the said pronouncement.

 “To make matters worse for Ebonyi workers, the salary chart forced on workers and currently used did not undergo any consequential adjustment and has consistently malnourished the takehome pay of workers as it lacks minimal progression. This led to our dear state being mentioned as one of those that never implemented the N30,000 minimum wage of 2019.

“Your Excellency Sir, the Implementation Committee, which we are all part of, has arrived at an acceptable salary chart with consequential adjustment and substantial progression. Even the cost implication when compared with the award of October, 2024 has been generated and discussed with you.

“Your Excellency, all efforts made by the Chairman of the Committee you set-up to bring these facts to your notice have yielded no positive results. Even our candid, civil and appealing  efforts have also yielded no results as you have vehemently ignored that kind inner drive of ours to better the lives of Ebonyi Workers.

“Our last interaction with you on the 27th November, when we passionately appealed that you rescind your decision and take the path of goodwill to the people in line with your People’s

Charter of Needs mantra, appears to be an interaction that crushed the hearts of the workers most, because you unequivocally said a capital “NO” to our friendly appeal. 

Your Excellency, that was strange to us, giving your fatherly disposition that has always fetched your children a  good opinion. Despite the excruciating pains of a depressed economy and low income of workers, we have been informed that workers are asked to pay the sum of N2,100 to participate in a staff audit exercise, which the Government approved without any discussion and commitment from the side of workers.

“As we convey this position Sir, most workers at the Local Government Councils are yet to receive their October, 2024 salaries. 

“Teachers who are being paid are paid through a different  bank channel creating confusions as most statutory deductions are not effected. This is an anomaly that needs to be corrected before our poor teachers are further plunged into debilitating and abject poverty. And delays in the payment of monthly salaries of these Local Government  Councils have become perennial and consistently weighed down on the psyche of the workers.

“Congress therefore met on 27th November and critically reviewed the flow of events and noted with 

pains, these actions and inactions, and unanimously resolved to embark on a one-week warning strike with effect from 00:00 hours of 1st December, 2024 for Government to reconsider its stance on the issue of minimum wage as well as engage the Committee set-up for this purpose as due diligence. 

“Yes, Congress noted that our wonderful relationship with your government should have been an avenue for us to resolve these issues before any form of industrial disharmony. Even as we embark on this action, we still believe in your kind disposition as a workers-friendly Governor”, he said.