Abia Workers Begin Indefinite Strike, July15, As ABSU Again Protests Over Unpaid Salary Arrears

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, and its ally   the Trade Union Congress TUC, Abia State Chapters, have served a notice of industrial action effective from July 15 2024.

However, the strike could be averted if the Abia state Government meets the demands of the workers within the next seven days.

At the heart of the workers demands are the immediate implementation of the 2019 N30,000 minimum wage agreement, and the recent N35,000 wage award which was approved by the Federal Government in 2023.

In a letter issued at the end of their General  meeting on Monday July 8, jointly signed by Okoro Ogbonnaya and Enogwe  Ihechi NLC and TUC Chairman respectively, the union. said the decision to embark on the strike action followed  the expiry of an earlier 21 day notice.

The Union Leaders, also, in the letter, which was addressed to the Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti, expressed disappointment over the failure of the Government to attend to the legitimate demands of the workers.

They stated that  the State Government has refused to engage the workers on how to possibly resolve the issues.

The organized labour warned that if the Government fails to attend to the workers on before the end of the seven days ultimatum ,they would be left with no other option than to proceed on an indefinite industrial action.

The NLC and TUC leaders   informed that workers  across ministries, and MDAs have been adequately mobilised ,for the strike action.

In a related development, for the second time in less than two weeks, the state owned University in Uturu ,was on Tuesday July 9 again locked down.

This followed a protest march by the university staffers over unpaid 11 months salary arrears ,and their April and May salaries this year.

The Academic Staff Union of University ASSU- ABSU had about penultimate week led its members and other members of the university community to protest against same issues.

The State Government has promised to commence the settlement of all inherited salary arrears from the end of this month.

The State Commissioner for Finance Mike Akpara, had in the wake of the first Protest march ,informed that the payments which will be  made in tranches, will be concluded on or before the end of 2024.