Nwifuru issued the ultimatum at his office in Abakaliki, in response to the one-week industrial action announced by the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Oguguo Egwu.
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, has threatened to sack workers embarking on strike in the state over the non-payment of the new national minimum wage of N70,000 by his administration.
The governor issued the threat on Monday in Abakaliki, the state capital when he gave a 72-hour ultimatum for the workers participating in the ongoing strike to return to work or be sacked and replaced.
Nwifuru issued the ultimatum at his office in Abakaliki, in response to the one-week industrial action announced by the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Oguguo Egwu.
Comrade Egwu had stated on Sunday that the strike aligned with a November 8, 2024, directive from the national leadership of the NLC, urging state councils in non-compliant states to enforce the new minimum wage.
Expressing his displeasure over the strike, Governor Nwifuru clarified that the National Assembly approved a minimum wage, not a general salary increment.
He said, “The National Assembly did not pass a bill for salary increments but for a minimum wage. Neither did it specify a maximum wage payable to workers.”
The governor who emphasised the need to prioritise public interest over personal agenda said, “The state cannot stand by while personal interests disrupt public welfare.
“It is surprising that labor unions initiated a strike after I began implementing the new minimum wage in October.”
Governor Nwifuru, who also insisted that the state government has no outstanding obligations to workers, said, “I do not owe any worker in Ebonyi State salaries, pensions, or gratuities. If you choose to remain at home under the guise of a strike, you will be replaced within 72 hours.”
To enforce compliance, he directed that attendance registers be maintained in all ministries and government offices.
“We will monitor attendance closely, and only workers who sign in will receive salaries. As for negotiations, I do not see the need, as Comrade Egwu is not an employee of the state government,” he warned.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that workers in some sectors, including primary and secondary schools, disregarded the strike directive.