Abia Workers Threaten Strike, Issue 7-Day Deadline to Governor Otti for Minimum Wage Deal

Abia State’s Organized Labour has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Governor Alex Otti’s administration, demanding the completion of minimum wage negotiations by Friday, November 1. The union leaders warn that failure to meet this deadline will lead to the reactivation of a previously suspended strike.

The communique, released Saturday, was signed by key representatives of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Abia State, including Com. Okoro Ogbonnaya, Com. Emma Alozie, Com. Sir I.O. Enogwe, and Com. George O.S. Okogbue, as well as State Joint Negotiating Committee leaders, Com. Ekere Uwadi and Com. Oby Madubuko.

In the statement, Organized Labour expressed its frustration with what it described as the government’s lack of transparency and delays in providing a payment template to address the consequential adjustments for all categories of workers. The unions emphasized that their own proposed payment template had been with the government for over a week without adequate response.

“Organized Labour is displeased with the state government’s handling of the discussions,” the communique stated, adding that any payment made to workers for October would be regarded as a temporary relief measure rather than the official minimum wage.

The union also insisted that the effective date for the new wage remains July 29, 2024, despite government delays. With this ultimatum set to expire at midnight on November 1, Organized Labour has pledged to revive strike action if negotiations remain stalled.