By ZAKAA LAZARUS-Abuja
The Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, has enjoined workers in Ebonyi State to continue with the strike action already going on in the state.
In a statement issued by the National President NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero in Abuja said , the Congress is 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.
He said, 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 statement said, 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.
Ajaero said the Congress 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”. The statement noted.
