Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has condemned the threat by the Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, to sack striking workers describing it as irresponsible and unhelpful.
Ajaero, who stated this in a statement on Monday night, accused Mr Nwifuru of refusing to implement the new N70,000 minimum wage, an action he termed as a display of impunity towards workers in the state.
Striking workers face sack – Nwifuru
Ikengaonline had reported how Nwifuru had warned the state workers to resume work or risk being sacked if they failed to resume within the next 72 hours if they continued with one week strike called by the organised Labour in the state.
Nwifuru argued that the state had already adopted the new minimum wage as no worker was receiving below the stipulated N70,00p making the strike unnecessary.
“Ebonyi State Government is not owing any worker in the state, both pension, gratuity, and salary, and we are paying the minimum wage as enshrined in the Act of the National Assembly.”
The governor said that not only will he not pay the striking workers but will also sack anyone who doesn’t report to work in the next 72 hours.
“If you didn’t go to work, not only that I will not pay you salary, but I will replace you within 72 hours in your office if I didn’t see you in your office,” Mr Nwifuru told journalists.
“As far as I am not guilty of flouting the constitution. I am not owing you and I am paying you what is supposed to be paid. And according to agreement and constitution, I am not owing you. If you didn’t go to work within 72 hours, I will replace you.
“I have called the chairman, civil service commission. I have directed all the commissioners to go to their offices. All the agencies, all the departments of government must be in their offices and record the people that come to work.
“And that is the people I will pay through table payment: by the number of days you attend to your duty in your office. If you don’t want to come to work, you will forget about (working for the) state government,” he said.
“Ebonyi workers are enjoying their promotion accordingly. My worry is why should our state join in a strike action when there is no reason for it,” Nwifuru had said.
NLC responds
Responding to the governor’s threats, Ajaero accused the state government of refusing to dialogue with labour leaders in the state.
He accused the governor of trying to play God by threatening to sack the striking workers.
“We are dismayed by the statement credited to the Ebonyi State Governor, Mr Nwifuru, that except the striking workers in the state over non-payment of the National Minimum Wage resume work immediately, they should consider themselves sacked.
“We recall that the strike action was preceded by failed conversations and notices to the Governor on the need to implement the 2024 national minimum wage since it was signed into law several months ago.
“The law has provisions for enforcement by workers. Besides this, strike action is a lawful/legitimate tool in the hands of aggrieved workers. In light of this, we consider the threats by the governor as irresponsible and unhelpful.
“What a reasonable governor acting reasonably ought to have done was to invite the labour leaders in the state for dialogue for a speedy resolution of the facts in issue, but he thinks he is God.
“The world must know that Nwifuru is the first to draw ‘blood in a matter of which he is completely guilty of,” Ajaero declared, adding that the industrial action would not be called off based on a sack threat to workers.
Ajaero directed all the affiliates, including those in the private sector, to immediately join in the strike action.
“Similarly, we urge the workers already on strike to not yield to the threats of the governor but sustain the momentum until the governor sees the need to not only behave properly but pay the minimum wage in compliance with the law.”
He further noted that the right of response is available in pursuance of a just cause, and workers in the state would be communicated on the next approach to the strike action.
