Organized labour shifts date for indefinite strike in Abia to July 28

The organized labour has picked July 28, 2024, as the new day to embark on an indefinite strike in Abia State if the state government fails to keep to its agreements.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Okoro Ogbonnaya and the Trade Union Congress, TUC Chairman in Abia who briefed the press on Sunday evening, advised civil servants in the state to continue their duties until July 28, when the relaxed strike notice would be reviewed.

The labour leaders who advised the Abia State government to keep to the Memorandum of Understanding it reached with them during their two-day negotiations, warned that no further notice would be given to the Abia State government before the workers down tool on July 28.

The labour leaders who commended the state government for its efforts in developing the state and for paying the pensions of retired workers, however, said the interests of civil servants must be carried along in this time of economic hardship.

While demanding that gratuities of retired civil servants be paid, the leaders of organized labour said no agreement was reached with the government concerning payment of gratuities during the negotiations.

They supported Governor Alex Otti for reversing some command promotions that did not follow the due processes in civil service.

Ogbonnaya said some civil servants were allegedly promoted from grade level 8 up to grade level 13, by the previous administration, far above their supposed superior officers.

He noted that the organized labour has accepted the proposal by the state government to pay a N15,000 wage award to Abia civil servants for three months.