The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have issued a joint 7-day ultimatum to Governor Otti, signed by their state chairmen, Okoro Ogbonnaya and Enogwe Ihechi respectively.
The Abia State chapter of organised labour has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike from July 15 if Governor Alex Otti fails to meet their demands by fully implementing the payment of N30,000 national minimum wage and the N35,000 palliative wage award approved by President Bola Tinubu’s administration in October 2023.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have issued a joint 7-day ultimatum to Governor Otti, signed by their state chairmen, Okoro Ogbonnaya and Enogwe Ihechi respectively.
This comes after the expiration of a previous 14-day ultimatum, which was given to the governor to address their demands. The labour unions are now pressing for swift action from the government.
The letter dated July 8, 2024 read, “Arising from the general meeting of the Organized Labour in the State on Monday 8 July 2024, to consider the fourteen (14) days ultimatum to government which has elapsed.
“It was noticed that the government has not deemed it necessary to dialogue with the Labour nor provide a solution to the demands of the workers in our letter Ref. No. ORGL/ABS/VOL.Il/001 see attached.
“In line with the National directives on non-compliance of Abia State government on the payment of the former N30,000 minimum wage and the N35,000 palliative wage award as approved by Federal Government since October 2023, the Organized Labour hereby issue this final seven (7) days ultimatum with effect from the day of the receipt of this letter, and state unequivocally, that at the expiration of this ultimatum on Sunday 0.00hrs, there shall be no further communication with the government, rather the entire workforce of Abia State will proceed on indefinite strike action beginning from Monday July 15, 2024.”
Workers in Abia state have not only been protesting against Governor Otti’s failure to implement the payment of the N30,000 national minimum wage and the Nigerian government approved N35,000 palliative wage award since 2023, but also nonpayment of several months of their salary arrears.
Tuesday’s demonstration is the latest in a series of protests by the workers, who are putting pressure on the government to address the ongoing issue.
The protesting workers brandished placards bearing messages such as ‘ABSU workers still await 11 months' salary arrears" and vowed to embark on a strike if Governor Otti's administration fails to settle their outstanding salaries immediately, emphasising their determination to receive the long-overdue payments.