Niger Delta
Expedite Action On Minimum Wage Or Face Strike, NLC Warns CRSG
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Cross River State chapter, has threatened to slam Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State with an industrial action should the state government failed to expedite action on implementation of N30,000 New Minimum Wage approved by federal government since April 2019
Speaking in Calabar at a visit by the state branch of the NLC to the Head of Service, Mr Chris Itah, Chairman of the state NLC, Comrade Ben Ukpepi, stated that it was pertinent for state government to implement the N30,000 new minimum wage.
Ukpepi stated that it had become worrisome for workers in the state to be denied their rights to enjoy the new minimum wage that was approval by federal government since April 2019,and warned that the union would be left with no other option than to call out its members to down tool, should state government failed to do its own side of the bargain.
“Sir, you know the minimum wage was given approval since April last year, and a directive was given to us by our national headquarters that all negotiations with our respective state governments be ended in December 31st.
“Its the reason we have come here to tell you that all action must be expedited for speedy implementation of the N30 minimum wage before things get out of hand.
“Unfortunately, no committee from government side was inaugurated for such purpose up till 31st of last month.
“This is why we have come to say please sir, start negotiations s as to avoid uproar of industrial action in the state.
The NLC helmsman who was at the office of the head of service with other members of his Exco said: “We were happy when we just heard that state government had just given approval for a committee which awaits inauguration so that that committee will handle all issues regarding to minimum wage”.
Friday Nwagbara, Calabar