Organized Labour has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike any moment from now if the federal government fails to commence payment of the recently approved new minimum wage.
The Enugu State chapter Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Chukwuma Igbokwe, who issued the warning on Wednesday in Enugu while briefing newsmen on ongoing negotiations in Abuja warned that if negotiations on the approval of salary chart for the implementation of the new minimum wage failed again, organised labour will be left with no option but “to take drastic action.”
He said labour had endured enough of foot-dragging by the government and would embark on industrial action and demonstrations if negotiations failed again.
“We have only one alternative and that is action. If the negotiations should end in a deadlock this time round, then our principals in Abuja will summon us for a National Executive Council meeting and then we will take a decision and decide on what action to take.
“When we meet, we will weigh our options and take a decision that will cut across the country and it will be total,” he said.
Igbokwe, however, expressed optimism that now that the Head of Service, Eyo Ita, had resumed duty and reconvened the negotiations, the acceptable salary chart would be agreed on by both parties.
According to him, what labour is asking for is not much and the government should reconsider its position to allow for the smooth implementation of the minimum wage that had been passed into law since April.
