The Organized Labour in Abia State has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Governor Alex Otti’s administration, urging it to finalize negotiations on a new minimum wage for state workers by Friday, November 1. In a strongly-worded communique released on Saturday, union leaders warned that if the state government does not meet this deadline, they will resume their previously suspended strike action.
The communique was signed by key representatives from the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the State Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), including NLC State Chairman Okoro Ogbonnaya and TUC State Chairman I.O. Enogwe. The unions expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of transparency in the state’s handling of the minimum wage discussions.
The unions stated that although both parties have agreed on a proposed new minimum wage, the state has yet to present a detailed payment plan addressing wage adjustments for various employee categories. According to the communique, the government has held the union’s proposed template for over a week without providing its own payment framework.
“Whatever the State Government decides to pay workers this October will be considered a hardship relief bonus, not the agreed minimum wage,” the communique declared.
Despite delays, Organized Labour emphasized that the agreed starting date for the new wage remains July 29, 2024, and urged the government to demonstrate “seriousness and commitment” in the ongoing negotiations.
As the ultimatum deadline approaches, workers across Abia State are watching closely to see if the government will act to prevent a strike that could disrupt public services.
