Minimum wage : Nigerian gov begs NLC, TUC not to embark on strike

In a significant move to avert a major industrial action, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to shelve their planned strike over non-implementation of the new minimum wage in the state.

The governor said his administration remained committed to the implementation of the new wage of N70, 000 recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

The governor made the appeal during the 5th edition of the State Solemn Assembly held Saturday night at U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

Represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Odey, Otu said his government would continue to prioritise welfare of workers in the state.

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It would be recalled that labour unions in the state had on Wednesday issued notice of 2-day warning strike scheduled to commence midnight of Sunday.

The unions attributed the planned action to the breakdown of negotiations between it and the government.

The organised labour threatened that after the warning strike the industrial action would continue with a December 1 panned nationwide strike.

“I appeal to the leadership of organised labour and all affiliates of the NLC and TUC to suspend their planned strike.

“I enjoin them to support the government in the quest to improve the lots of our people,’’ Out said.

He urged the people of Cross River to sustain their support and prayers for the administration to achieve its ‘People First’ mantra.