Minimum Wage: Ebonyi workers begin one-week warning strike

Following what they tagged as the non-implementation of the proper minimum wage by Governor Francis Nwifuru, the Ebonyi state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Sunday directed workers in the state to begin a one-week warning strike.

Briefing journalists in Abakaliki, the Chairman of the Ebonyi State Labour Congress, Prof. Egwu Ogugua, said that the strike became necessary because the implementation was not across the board, rejecting the N40,000 increment for level three and above.

He noted that the Nigeria Labour Congress in Ebonyi State will begin the warning strike from midnight on December 1, 2024, in line with the directive of November 8, 2024 by the national body to all state councils in states yet to comply.
It will be recalled that Governor Nwifuru had announced the payment of a N75,000 minimum wage for workers in the state, but Labour faulted the implementation, saying that it is unacceptable.

Ogugua noted that the Minimum Wage Implementation Committee was set up but while the committee was fine-tuning its presentation, the governor unilaterally pronounced a wage award of N75,000 to grade levels 1 and 2, and N40,000 across the board for grade levels 3-16. This pronouncement was made at a government house church service on October 27, 2024.

According to Labour, the minimum wage is averse to the traditional procedures of implementing minimum wage, no matter the magnitude of the beautiful intent with which the pronouncement was made. Once a minimum wage is pronounced, it goes through the rigours of consequential adjustments that will translate into an agreement signed by both parties.

To make matters worse for Ebonyi workers, Ogugua lamented that the salary chart forced on workers did not undergo any consequential adjustment, noting that it has consistently malnourished the take-home pay of workers as it lacks minimal progression.

He informed the governor that the Implementation Committee, of which they are all part, has arrived at an acceptable salary chart with consequential adjustment and substantial progression, adding that even the cost implication, when compared with the award of October 2024, has been generated and discussed with him.

“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 yours to better the lives of Ebonyi workers,” he said.

“Our last interaction with you on 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, and you unequivocally said a capital ‘NO’ to our friendly appeal.”