The Organized Labour in Abia State has issued a last 7-day ultimatum to the state government over the nonpayment of the N30,000 minimum wage and N35,000 palliative wage award authorized by the federal government for workers.
The organized labour, which includes the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has vowed to go on strike indefinitely if their demands are not met within the one-week deadline.
It further stated that it would no longer communicate with the state administration before launching an indefinite strike if the demands were not addressed within 7 days.
In a letter, the labour unions revealed that the decision was made at their general meeting on Monday, July 8, 2024, after the previous 14-day ultimatum notice expired without a resolution from the state government regarding the workers' demand. The state chairs of the NLC and TUC, respectively, are Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya and Sir Enogwe Ihechi.
In a letter to Governor Dr. Alex Otti, organized labour expressed dissatisfaction with the government's unwillingness to negotiate or offer a solution to the demands. It also threatened to go on an indefinite strike by state employees starting on Monday if the government did not comply within the allotted seven days.
The letter read; “Arising from the general meeting of Labour in the state on Monday,8th July 2024, to consider that the 14-day ultimatum has elapsed. It was noticed that the government has not deemed it necessary to dialogue with Labour nor provide solutions to the demands of workers.
“In line with the national directives on noncompliance of the Abia state government, on the payment of the former N30,000 minimum wage and the N35,000 palliative wage award as approved by the federal government since October 2023, the organized labour hereby issue this final 7-day ultimatum with effect from the day of receipt of this letter and state unequivocally that at the expiration of this ultimatum on Sunday, there shall be no further communication to the state government rather the entire workforce of Abia state will proceed on indefinite strike action beginning from Monday,15th July 2024.”
