Workers in Akwa Ibom Threaten Strike Over Delay in Implementing ₦70,000 Minimum Wage

Workers in Akwa Ibom State have expressed growing frustration over Governor Umo Eno’s silence on the implementation of the new ₦70,000 minimum wage. The workers described the governor’s inaction as “disturbing” and warned that they might go on strike if the state government continues to ignore the issue.

An employee at the Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Southeast Post that workers are increasingly worried as the governor appears to be in no hurry to address the matter. “Pastor Umo Eno does not seem concerned or disturbed by the suffering of the civil servants,” the employee said.

The worker highlighted that while non-oil-producing states like Adamawa and Ebonyi have already announced the implementation of the new minimum wage from September, Akwa Ibom, which receives one of the highest monthly allocations from the federal government, has yet to take action. “Our governor has not even bothered to set up an executive committee, let alone issue a statement on this very sensitive issue that has become a national concern,” another civil servant added.

The workers expressed that they are struggling to meet their families’ needs and are disheartened by the lack of progress on the wage issue. They recalled that Governor Eno had previously promised to pay whatever the federal government agreed upon as discussions continue on a new salary structure for government employees.

Responding to the workers’ threat of strike, the Chairman of the Nigerian Labor Council (NLC), Comrade Sonny James, urged them to halt their plans, stating that the state government has not yet received the model for implementing the new national wage. He warned the workers against taking any drastic actions, emphasizing that the State Wages and Remuneration Board must first prepare wage schedules before the new wage laws can be implemented. “I tried to deal with the workers of this country, but their behavior is not funny. Tell them to stop these plans,” he threatened.