By Victor AhiumaYoung

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, has dared Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State to sign sack letters of the striking public workers in the state and face a total shutdown of Ebonyi State.

This came as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, and the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, NUBIFIE, have directed members to shut activities in Ebonyi State in compliance with the directive by NLC to private sector unions to join the ongoing strike in the state.

Other critical sectors are expected to join the strike to protest against the threat by the state government to sack the state workers over non-implementation of the N70,000 new National Minimum Wage.

Ajaero, who spoke during the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, warned that should Governor Nwifuru sack any of the striking workers, the full weight of Organized Labour would be brought to bear on the state.

Ajaero, who was responding to issues of non-implementation of consequential adjustment by some private sector employers in the Maritime Sector, said “Early next year, we are going to focus our eye on the private sector employers and the issue of consequential adjustment in the ports. 

“We must have heard that the Ebonyi State governor has given the state workers who are on strike 72 hours to return to work or be sacked. 

“We dare the governor to sign any letter sacking any of the workers. If he tries, we will bring the full weight of organized labour in the country to bear on the state. We shall shut down the state completely. Instead of negotiating with the workers, he is threatening them.” 

Oil, electricity, bank workers join strike   

Meanwhile, workers in the Petroleum, electricity, and financial sectors have been directed to join the strike with immediate effect. 

In a circular by NUPENG through the General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, to NUPENG’s Coordinator in Ebonyi dated December 2, the Union among others, said “This is to inform all our members and branches in all oil and gas installations, operations, and services, including the distribution and marketing of petroleum products in Ebonyi State, that our union is fully committed to ensuring total compliance with the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) issued on Friday, 8th November 2024, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“The directive calls for an indefinite strike in any state that fails to implement the N70,000 national minimum wage, commencing from Monday, 2nd December 2024.”

“As a Union, we are deeply concerned and disturbed by the insensitive and unresponsive attitude of the Ebonyi State Government towards the critical issue of a new minimum wage for state government workers, especially in light of the various socio-economic policies of this administration that have impoverished the working people of this country.

“Leaders of our Union at all levels, from the units and branches in Ebonyi State, should immediately put all necessary processes in place to ensure total compliance

with this directive.

Similarly, NUEE in a circular by its Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, among others said “Concerning the circular from the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) dated 29th November 2024 on the outcome of the meeting of National Executive Council (NEC) and

Central Working Committee (CWC), and in compliance with the decision of the leadership of the Congress, the National Leadership of the National Union of Electricity Employees

(NUEE) hereby directs the following States: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Federal Capital Territory, Imo, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Oyo, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara To embark on an industrial action to compel the implementation of the new Minimum Wage as resolved by NEC and CWC of the Congress starting Monday 2nd December 2024.

“All the affected States and Chapter executives are requested to start the mobilization of our members in total compliance with this directive to ensure the respective State Governments do the right thing as stated above.”

Also, NUBIFIE in a circular by its President and General Secretary, Abakpa Anthony, and Muhammed Sheikh, to all banks, insurance, and financial institutions in Ebonyi State, said “NLC has directed all its affiliates in Ebonyi State to commence strike action over the State Governor threat to sack all workers if they exercise their fundamental right to embark on strike action over failed negotiation as regards the implementation of new National Minimum Wage for Ebonyi State workers.

“Our Union considers the Governor’s action as an executive recklessness, irresponsible, and insensitive to the plight of the workers. To this end, and in solidarity, all Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions workers in Ebonyi State should stay off duty immediately until otherwise directed by the Congress.

“However, all Management of Banks, Insurance, and other Financial Institutions in Ebonyi State are strongly advised not to inhibit their workers from complying with the directives of the Congress.

The monitoring team would move around to ensure compliance.”

Vanguard News