The organized Labour in Abia state has issued a stern ultimatum to Governor Alex Otti, demanding the full implementation of the N30,000 national minimum wage and the N35,000 palliative wage award approved by the federal government for workers in the state.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to Governor Otti, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Abia State emphasized the urgency of the matter, setting a deadline of 14 days for the governor to ensure the payment of the stipulated wages to Abia workers without further delay.
The letter, signed by key representatives including Comrade Ogbonnaya Okoro and Comrade Emma Alozie, Chairman and Secretary of the Abia NLC respectively, as well as Comrade Eneogwe Ihechi and Comrade George Okogbue, Chairman and Secretary of the Abia TUC, highlighted the failure of the state government to implement the recommended salary structure based on the N30,000 national minimum wage.
Labour’s ultimatum stems from the decision taken at a national organized Labour meeting held in Abuja on Monday, May 20, 2024.
The unions expressed disappointment over the prolonged delay in the implementation of the wage adjustments, stressing the need for immediate action to address the plight of workers in Abia State.
The letter read; “Consequent upon the meeting held by the national labour leadership on Monday,May 20,2024,which the state councils were directed to issue 14 day ultimatum to various state governments who have not implemented the N30,000 former minimum wage and N35,000 palliative wage award.
“Furtherance to the directive,the organized labour in the state comprising the NLC,TUC and JPSNC,met on Wednesday, and noted with dismay the various challenges facing labour unions and their members in the state.
“These include non implementation of the former national minimum wage to Abia Non implementation of the N35,000 palliative wage award to Abia workers. The organized labour observed with utmost regret that from 2019 till date ,the Abia state government has failed to fully implement the national minimum wage as agreed upon by the organized Labour, government and employers in the private sector and gazetted by the federal government. Since the state government has continued to shun every attempt for further discussion on the minimum wage.
“The organized labour also critically viewed the issue of non implementation of the N35,000 palliative wage award 8 months after its announcement by the state government as disheartening and this has dampened the moral of workers in the state.
“Since government is a continuum, Your Excellency, you are humbly requested to put in place necessary machinery to kick start the process of implementing in full the N30,000 former national minimum wage and the N35,000 wage award within 14 days in line with the directive of the joint NEC meeting of the NLC and TUC.”
The joint statement from Labour leaders underscored the critical importance of timely wage payments, especially amid economic challenges and rising living costs.
It emphasized the obligation of the state government to prioritize the welfare of its workforce and uphold the standards set by the federal government.
Governor Otti and the state government are urged to expedite the process of wage adjustment and ensure that Abia workers receive their entitlements in accordance with national directives.
Failure to meet the 14-day ultimatum may result in further action from the organized Labour, potentially leading to industrial unrest in the state.