NLC Fires Back at Nwifuru, Says Gov’s Action ‘Irresponsible,’ Tells Workers to Continue Strike

 

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has dismissed the threat of mass sack of Ebonyi State workers by the governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. Ogbonnaya Nwifuru describing it as “irresponsible” and “unhelpful.”

FACTSHEET reports that the governor while briefing journalists in Abakaliki on Monday ordered the workers to go back to their duty posts within 72 hours or face mass sack.

Ebonyi State workers had complied with the directive of the NLC instructing its members in states that have failed to implement the new minimum wage of N70, 000 to embark on industrial action from December 1, 2024.

Reacting to the order of the state governor, the National President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero in a statement on Tuesday expressed disappointment over the stance of the governor noting that the “Governor Nwifuru is the first to draw blood in a matter of which he is completely guilty.”

The NLC President called on Ebonyi workers to ignore the threat of the governor and continue with the strike, while urging other affiliate unions in the state to join the strike.

The NLC leader reminded the governor that  dialogue and not threat was the mon=st potent path to resolution of industrial disputes while reiterating that strike remains a legitimate tool workers adopt when their rights are infringed upon.

The NLC president’ statement reads:

“We are dismayed by the statement credited to the Ebonyi State Governor, Mr Nwifuru that except the striking workers in the state over non-payment of the National Minimum Wage resume work immediately they should consider themselves sacked.

“We recall that the strike action was preceded by failed conversations and notices to the Governor on the need to implement the 2024 national minimum wage since it was signed into law several months ago.

“The law has provisions for enforcement by workers. Beside this, a strike action is a lawful/legimitate tool in the hands of aggrieved workers.

“In light of this, we consider the threats by the Governor as irresponsible and unhelpful.

“What a reasonable Governor acting reasonably ought to have done was to invite the labour leaders in the state for dialogue for a speedy resolution of the facts in issue. But he thinks he is God.

“On our part, we want the world to know that Governor Nwifuru is the first to draw blood in a matter of which he is completely guilty.

“We also want the world to know that the right of response is available to us in pursuance of a just cause. Accordingly, the National Secretariat of the Congress has directed all the affiliates including those in the private sector to immediately join in the strike action. It similarly urged the workers already on strike to not yield to the threats of the Governor. They are to sustain the momentum until the Governor sees the need to not only behave properly but pay the minimum wage in compliance with the Law.

“In the coming hours, further directives will be given as we deem fit.