UYO – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom State chapter has issued a stern ultimatum to the state government, threatening to embark on an indefinite strike if the implementation of the new national minimum wage is not finalized by midnight on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
The decision was reached at an emergency meeting of the NLC’s State Executive Council (SEC) held on Monday, December 2, 2024, at the NLC Secretariat in Uyo.
The meeting, chaired by the Congress Chairperson, Comrade Sunny James was convened to address the delays surrounding the payment of the ₦80,000 minimum wage, approved by the state government but is yet to be implemented.
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While the NLC’s national leadership had directed state councils across the country to commence industrial action from December 1 in states where the new minimum wage has not been paid, the Akwa Ibom chapter deferred action out of respect for Governor Umo Eno, who recently laid his late wife to rest.
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However, the union emphasized that it would not extend the deadline beyond December 3, warning that all workers would proceed on strike by Wednesday, December 4, if the agreement is not signed.
The SEC expressed appreciation to the governor for approving the ₦80,000 minimum wage and acknowledged efforts by the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee, which was tasked with finalizing consequential adjustments for all salary grades. However, the union noted that the committee’s work remains incomplete due to ongoing staff verification exercises.
The NLC frowned that frustration among workers has also been fueled by a recurring delay in salary payments, which it said has persisted since September 2024. The union warned that if November salaries are not paid on time, it will picket Zenith Bank branches in the state, accusing the bank of withholding funds meant for salary disbursements.
“The SEC-in-Session frowns at the development in the State since September, 2024 where salaries are not paid within the due date and unanimously agrees that if the trend goes beyond November, 2024, the NLC shall without any further notice, picket all the branches of Zenith Bank in the State who warehouse the State fund and refuses to disburse staff salaries components to other Banks for timely payment despite early submissions of schedules to them”. The communique issued at the end of the meeting stated.
The NLC further directed workers to come out en-masse to the Akwa Ibom State Government House gate at Welington Basey Way, Uyo, on Monday, 9th December, 2024 to massively protest for their New National Minimum Wage payment.
