The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Akwa Ibom State chapter, Comrade Sunny James, has warned workers in the state to desist from any plans to go on strike or face stringent sanctions.
The warning from the NLC chairman follows threats by workers to embark on strike in protest of the non-payment of the new minimum wage by the state government.
Explaining the delay, Comrade James said the state government is yet to receive the template for implementing the new minimum wage from the National Salary and Wages Commission.
“They cannot try it. I will be furious with such a group of workers in this state,” he said.
“Tell them that it doesn’t work like that. There must be a salary table drawn by the National Salary and Wages Commission before states can begin implementing the new wage bill.”
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“I have advocated for workers in this state, and they cannot act recklessly. Tell them to stop such plans immediately,” he maintained.
Some workers, including teachers in Akwa Ibom, have expressed their grievances about the unpaid minimum wage to journalists in Uyo and threatened industrial action.
They complained that the government has remained silent on the implementation of the new minimum wage bill in the state.
They are concerned about Pastor Umo Eno’s lack of action regarding the implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage.
Recall that Pastor Umo Bassey Eno had promised to adhere to whatever the federal government decided regarding the new salary structure.
During a visit to Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, where over 90 percent of the state’s workers are based, civil servants were seen discussing the issue in groups.
One worker, who wished to remain anonymous, explained that their concerns are growing as the governor seems reluctant to make any pronouncements on the matter.
According to the worker, Pastor Umo Eno does not appear to be concerned about the plight of civil servants in the state.
“Imagine non-oil-producing states like Adamawa and Ebonyi announcing the swift implementation of the new minimum wage starting this month, while our state, with the highest federal government monthly allocation, has not made any move to implement it,” the source lamented.
“Our governor has not even bothered to set up an implementation committee, let alone make a statement about this crucial issue, which has become a national discourse.
His continued silence is a serious source of worry for us, who are at the receiving end.
Our families are struggling as we face unprecedented food inflation,” another civil servant (name withheld) said, also expressing frustration with the inactive labor movement in the state.
