MINIMUM WAGE: NWIFURU GIVES STRIKING WORKERS 72-HOUR ULTIMATUM TO RESUME WORK OR GET SACKED

The governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has given workers in the state a 72-hour ultimatum to resume work or face dismissal.

The governor also threatened to replace them after their dismissal from duty.

Nwifuru’s action followed a seven-day warning strike embarked on by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Ebonyi State wing.

The governor, while addressing newsmen on Monday in his office at the new Government House, Centenary City, Abakaliki, said the state government is not owing any workers.

He stated that the state government has approved N75,000 as the minimum wage and has already started paying.

The NLC, Ebonyi State, had on Sunday commenced a seven-day warning strike over the non-implementation of the new minimum wage in the state.

However, reacting to the strike, Nwifuru said, “If you don’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 don’t see you in your office, consider yourself sacked. So far, I am not guilty; I am not owing you.

“I am paying you what is supposed to be paid. And according to the agreement and the Constitution, I am not owing you. If you don’t go to work within 72 hours, I will replace you.

“And I have called the state chairman of the Civil Service Commission. I have directed all the commissioners to go to their offices. All the agencies, all the departments of government must be in their office and record the people that come to work. And that is the people I will pay through table payment.

“I will pay you by the number of days you attended to your duty in your office. If you don’t want to come to work, you will forget about the state government.”