Nwifuru, NLC’s war deepens, as labour President, Ajaero orders workers to ignore sack threats

….orders private sectors to join the strike action 

By Daniel Usman

The acclaimed war existing between the governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, state chapter on Monday deepens, as the national president of the union, Joe Ajaero has ordered workers to ignore the purported sack threat by the state government.

Recall that the leadership of NLC, Ebonyi State chapter, led by Ogugua Egwu had declared seven days warning strike action over an alleged failure by the governor, Francis Nwifuru to pay minimum wage to workers.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that the governor, Nwifuru who responded to the strike action declared by the labour leaders in the state, gave 72 hours to workers to resume work or risk being sacked and forfeiting their salaries.

According to him: “If you didn’t go to work. Not only that I will not pay you salary, but I will replace you within 72 hours in your office.

“If I didn’t see you in your office, as far as I am not guilty. I am not owing you. I am paying you what is supposed to be paid. 

“And according to agreement and constitution, I am not owing you. If you didn’t go to work within 72 hours, I will replace you” he threatened.

But, the national president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, who responded to governor, Francis Nwifuru’s statement, however ordered workers in the state to ignore the purported sack threats.

He, however directed all the affiliate unions, including those in the private sector in Ebonyi state to immediately join in  the strike action.

Ajaero who made this known in a statement signed and issued to newsmen on Monday said: “We are dismayed by the statement credited to the Ebonyi State Governor, Mr Nwifuru that except the striking workers in the state over non-payment of the National Minimum Wage resume work immediately they should consider themselves sacked. 

He blamed governor, Nwifuru of failure to invite the labour leaders in the state for dialogue, rather than, being the first governor in the country to draw blood in a matter of which he is “completely guilty”.