Enugu workers get extra month salary to celebrate Christmas

The organized labour in Enugu state has issued a 14 days ultimatum to the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to remove the chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), Ikeje Asogwa. 

The labour movement in the state said his non-removal might jeopardise industrial peace in the state.

The ultimatum, which started running from Monday, December 4th, followed the brutal physical assault on the Permanent Secretary of
ENSUBEB, Mr Onagu Ogbodo in the premises of the commission last week, allegedly masterminded by Asogwa in the full glare of staff of the board.

Asogwa has denied committing the act, describing it as “strange news to me” and the handiwork of “detractors”, when The Guardian contacted him. 

He was accused of mobilizing three thugs and four armed policemen “who severally slapped and tore the trousers to smithereens exposing the Permanent Secretary’s pants when his torso was bare.”

In the ultimatum to the governor jointly signed by the state chairmen of the Trade Union Congress, Igbokwe Chukwuma and that of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Virginus Nwobodo, they condemned the board chairman’s action as  “barbaric and gangstaric act in the public service of Enugu state”.

In the meantime, the governor has approved the payment of 13th month to Enugu workers to celebrate Christmas season.

Reacting to the development, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Virginus Nwobodo stated that the gesture was unprecedented in the history of the state, considering the nation’s economic downturn that has made it impossible for many states to pay workers’ salaries.