Minimum wage: NLC kicks as Ebonyi governor threatens to sack striking workers

Francis Nwifuru, governor of Ebonyi, says he will sack workers in the state who refused to disembark from the ongoing strike within 72 hours.

On Monday, the Ebonyi chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) directed its members to join the nationwide strike against the non-implementation of minimum wage in some states.

The state government had announced N75,000 as the minimum wage for workers on grade levels 1 and 2 and an N40,000 increment across the board for levels three to 16, but the state NLC said it was not consulted before it was pronounced.

Speaking on Monday in Abakiliki, the state capital, Nwifuru said the national assembly passed a bill for minimum wage and not a new salary increment.

The governor noted that all workers must sign the attendance register to enable the state to monitor those who report to work.

“Again, let me make it known now that I am not owing any worker in the state any monthly salary, pension, or gratuity,” Nwifuru said.

“And if you did not go to work and choose to stay at home in the name of strike, I will replace you within 72 hours. So, I’m giving you 72 hours to return to duty, or I will sack you.

“I have directed that attendance registers be opened at every ministry and government office, and we are going to monitor attendance.

“We are also expecting every worker who came to work to sign, and we are going to use it to pay those who came to work using that register.

“On the issue of negotiation, I don’t think I will because Comrade Egwu is not my worker.”

‘IRRESPONSIBLE THREAT’

Reacting in a statement on Monday, Joe Ajaero, NLC president, described the governor’s threats as “irresponsible and unhelpful”.

Ajaero noted that the strike followed failed negotiations between the state government over the non-payment of the minimum wage.

He urged the workers not to yield to the governor’s threats till their demands are met.

“We are dismayed by the statement credited to the Ebonyi state governor, Mr. Nwifuru, that striking workers should consider themselves sacked unless they resume work immediately,” Ajaero said.

“The strike followed failed negotiations and prior notices to the governor regarding the non-payment of the 2024 national minimum wage, which was signed into law months ago.

“On our part, we want the world to know that Governor Nwifuru is the first to draw blood in a matter of which he is completely guilty.”