Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has announced plans to withhold the salaries of striking workers and replace any worker who fails to resume duty within 72 hours.
This declaration comes in response to the ongoing strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Speaking during a live broadcast from the Government House Centenary City in Abakaliki on Monday, the governor criticized the strike, highlighting the state government’s efforts to improve workers’ welfare. He noted that the government has implemented a minimum wage of ₦75,000 for workers on Grade Levels 1 and 2, along with a ₦40,000 salary increment for those on Grade Levels 3 to 17.
His words, “If you didn’t go to work. Not only that I will not pay you salary. But I will replace you within 72 hours in your office.
“If I didn’t see you in your office. As far as I am not guilty. I am not owing you. I am paying you what is supposed to be paid. And according to agreement and constitution I am not owing you. If you didn’t go to work within 72 hours I will replace you. And I have called the chairman civil service commission.
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“I have directed all the commissioners to go to their offices. All the agencies and all the departments of government must be in their offices. And record the people that come to work.
“And that is the people I will pay through table payment. By the number of days you attend to your duty in your office. If you don’t want to come to work. You will forget about state government.”
The NLC national leadership had ordered a seven-day warning strike in Ebonyi and other states that have yet to comply with the New National Minimum wage.
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