Abia State Labour Strike Plans Relaxed After Negotiations

The proposed indefinite strike initially scheduled to commence on Monday by organized labour in Abia State will be postponed, as reported by NIGERIA NEWS 247.

This decision follows two days of intensive negotiations involving the Abia State government, leadership of organized labour, and members of the joint negotiation council.

According to a communique issued at the conclusion of the dialogue, the Abia State government and organized labour agreed on the implementation of a N15,000 wage increment for civil servants for three months, effective from the end of July 2024.

Signing the communique were Calab Ajagba, Chief of Staff to Governor Alex Otti, and two others representing the Abia State government, alongside Okoro Ogbonnaya, NLC Chairman, Ihechi Enogwe, TUC Chairman, and others representing labour. I.M. Ekwenye chaired the joint negotiation council.

During discussions, labour leaders asserted that Abia workers were receiving only N20,100 as minimum wage, whereas the state government cited records indicating that civil servants were actually paid N30,000.

The state government also clarified the rationale behind cancelling command promotions issued to civil servants during the administration of Okezie Ikpeazu, emphasizing the need to streamline the civil service.

Agreements were reached to commence the promotion of eligible civil servants and to seek legislative approval from the state House of Assembly to gradually settle the N16.5 billion owed to workers in state institutions and agencies.

Other topics deliberated included staff verifications, payment of retired Permanent Secretaries and Directors, though no consensus was reached on gratuity issues, as stated in the communique.

However, a member of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), speaking anonymously, criticized the appointment of I.M. Ekwenye, a retired civil servant, as chair of the joint negotiation council, arguing that Ekwenye might not fully understand the current challenges faced by active civil servants.