The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State have asked the governor of Ebonyi state, Francis Nwifuru to withdraw the threat it posed to the striking civil servants of the state over the ongoing strike action embarked by the workers over the inability of the government to fulfill its agreement on minimum wage. The workers in Abakaliki decried abandonment of them by the government while it goes to media and claims it has been paying the workers their due salaries reflecting the new minimum wage policy which it accepted to pay.
Reacting to the accusation of the workers, the governor furiously issued a matching order to the workers to return to work in 72 hours time or risk being sacked and replaced, stating that his government had complied with its promise of accepting and applying the nationally recognized minimum wage structure.
But in response to the situation, the PDP in Ebonyi state through its spokesman, Nwoba Chika Nwoba urged the government to take it easy on the workers as their request was not too much for a government that prioritized acquisition of vehicles and sharing of money. The statement reads:
“The Ebonyi State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) joins its voice in advocating for a better and appropriate wage regime for the civil servants in Ebonyi State. Having critically studied the circumstances surrounding the labour system and the Ebonyi Government’s response to the minimum wage argument now tempestuous, we have come to the realization that the Nwifuru administration hasn’t directly or indirectly effected the minimum wage policy on the salary structures of the civil servants.
As a party, we’re not unaware of the difficult economic terrain these civil servants ply to survive each passing day despite receiving very meagre wage incomes from the state government. We also want to use this opportunity and urge the governor, His Excellency, Francis Nwifuru to withdraw the threat of dissolution and loss of jobs posed to the striking civil servants. It’s not unconstitutional to protest against unfavourable policies of government directly affecting its workforce. The threat communicated in the order of the government to the workers to go back to their duty posts within 72 hours from yesterday or face sack is rather military than democratic, and should be withdrawn with apologies to the suffering civil servants.
- The PDP urges the workers in Ebonyi not to be bothered by the threat from the government, but continue pressing forward their legitimate demands, applying every democratic principle in doing so as it’s their inalienable right to ask for better pay. It’s unfortunate that a state government that shares SUV Jeeps and money to National Assembly members, retired politicians and acquiring property here and there for personal utility can’t pay workers in accordance with the new minimum wage labour policy as promised by the same government. May God comfort you workers as you pass through this harrowing economic and mindless political experience in the hands of a government of great abundance in its disposal”.
