Minimum Wage: Abia Labour to begin indefinite strike July 15

The Abia State chapter of the Organized Labour Union has issued a final warning to the state government, demanding the payment of the outstanding N30,000 minimum wage and N35,000 palliative allowance.

Despite Governor Alex Otti’s assurances to implement new wages as soon as the Federal government reaches an agreement with the organized labour, workers in Abia State are still threatening to embark on a strike.

But in a letter dated July 8, 2024, with No.ORGL/ ABS/Vol.11/002 signed by the Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Abia state, Okoro Ogbonnaya and Enogwe Ihechi, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, which was written to Governor Alex Otti through his Chief of Staff, the organized labour threatened that workers in the state would embark on strike from Monday, July 15, 2024.

According to the letter, which was sighted by DAILY POST, the organized labour said that the decision to give a final seven days notice was an outcome of the general meeting of the organized labour held on Monday, July 8.

The workers stated that a 14-day ultimatum issued to the state government had elapsed without any attempt by the government to engage in dialogue or negotiate a resolution to their demands.

The organized labour in Abia State has decided to embark on an indefinite strike, aligning with the national leadership’s directive, in response to the state government’s alleged failure to comply with the agreed-upon terms and conditions.

The letter read in part: “Organized labour hereby issues this final seven (7) days ultimatum with effect from the day of receipt of this letter and states unequivocally, that at the expiration of this ultimatum, on Sunday 00hr, there shall be no further communication with the government.

“Rather, the entire workforce of Abia State will proceed on indefinite strike beginning from Monday, 15th July, 2024.”