The Organized Labour in Abia State has set a seven-day deadline for the state government to finalize discussions regarding the new minimum wage, effective from Saturday, October 26.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Organized Labour warned that if the government does not meet this deadline, they will be compelled to resume previously suspended strike actions.
The communiqué was signed by key figures, including Com. Okoro Ogbonnaya and Com. Emma Alozie, representing the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), along with Com. Sir I.O Enogwe and Com. George O.S. Okogbue from the Trade Union Congress (TUC). It also included Com. Ekere Uwadi and Com. Oby Madubuko from the State Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC).
According to the communiqué, there is a consensus between the Organized Labour and the government regarding the new minimum wage for Abia State employees. However, the government has not yet provided a payment template for the necessary adjustments affecting various worker categories in the state.
The statement reads in part: “After a thorough review of the New Minimum Wage Negotiating Committee’s activities during the joint meeting of SAC and SEC, the Organized Labour expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s approach to the discussions.”
The communiqué further criticized the government for its lack of transparency, noting that they have withheld the payment template while having the Organized Labour’s proposed template for over a week.
In light of these issues, the Organized Labour declared the following resolutions: (a) No agreement exists between the Organized Labour and the government due to the absence of a payment template from the government. (b) Any payments made to workers this October will be considered bonus payments to mitigate hardship and will not be recognized as the new minimum wage. (c) The government must demonstrate seriousness and commitment to the negotiations concerning the New National Minimum Wage. (d) Despite delays from the government, the effective date for the payment of the New National Minimum Wage is set for July 29, 2024.
Given these circumstances, the Organized Labour has issued a seven-day ultimatum for the Abia State Government to finalize negotiations on the new minimum wage, starting from October 26 and concluding at midnight on Friday, November 1, 2024.
Should the deadline pass without a resolution, the Organized Labour will have no choice but to reactivate its earlier suspended strike action.
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