Strike: Nwifuru orders workers to resume work or risk sack

Governor, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has threatened to sack any striking worker in the State who absents from work in the next 72 hours.

The governor who stated this in Abakaliki while reacting to the strike action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC , over none implementation of the New National Minimum Wage said the action of Labour Union fell short expectation.

He wondered why some Labour leaders misinformed the  workers to embark on strike even when Government has commenced full implementation of the New Minimum wage

He maintained that the State Government implemented the minimum wage in line with the provisions of the law adding that the letter of the NLC fails to address the discrepancies as alleged

He described the action as unnecessary and a deliberate attempt to embarrass the government.

“If any government staff didn’t go to work within the next 72 hours, not just that I won’t pay you, but I will go ahead to replace the staff. if I didn’t see you in the office, as far as am not guilty and am not owing you, am paying you what you are supposed to be paid and according to our agreement and you refuses to go to work, within 72 hours, I will replace you.

Governor Nwifuru said that he has directed the relevant government officials to ensure they take attendance of those who reported to work and those who didn’t starting from today.

“I have informed the Chairman of the Civil Service commission, I have directed all the commissioners, all the agencies and departments of government to be in their different offices and ensure they take records of the staff that comes to work and those are the people that will be paid through table payment.

“The staff will be paid by the number of days that they came to work. If any staff decides not to come to work, let the person forget about Ebonyi State Government.

“Ebonyi State Government is not owing any worker in the State, both pension, gratuity and salary and we are paying the minimum wage as enshrined in the act of the National Assembly.

 "As a government we are to obey the law. We must respect the provisions of the constitution.