Local Government employees in Enugu State today announced suspension of their 3-week strike that paralyzed local administration in the State.
Both Local Govt employees and primary school teachers went on “indefinite strike” on 28 July over the N30,000. minimum wage. The workers protested government’s decision not to pay the 30 percent minimum wage to the Enugu local government system employees.
Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) announced today that it agreed with LGA chairmen to suspend. NULGE President, Kenneth Ugwueze made the announcement in a chat with journalists.
They struck the secret deal and lifted the strike action on 26 August 2022 after agreed on a substantial adjustment.
Apart from LG councils turning into ghost towns, the strike paralyzed the unified examinations for primary school pupils.
Ugwueze said the union executive asked members to resume duties yesterday Monday 29 August. .
The chairmen agreed to pay the N30,000 minimum wage with adjustment as approved for public servants in the state. The parties will arrive at a final negotiation soon, he said.
The NULGE boss praised Enugu House House speaker for passing the 5th alteration bill for amendment of the 1999 Constitution. The amendment includes financial and administrative autonomy to local governments in Nigeria.
“The passage of the Autonomy to the Local Government by the Enugu State House of Assembly has placed the State on the list of States that have passed same in line the yearnings of Nigerians.”
Under the agreements signed by the LGA chair and consequential adjustment agreement reached with the council chairmen, Ugwueze said that
- those on grade levels 1 – 3 will receive 90 percent increase to their hitherto salaries
- those on grade level 4 will receive 70 percent
- those between the grade levels 5 will receive 50 percent
- Those on 6 as well as grade levels 7 will receive 16 and 25 percent respectively.
He expressed hope that council chairmen agreed to implement the minimum wage for their workers. This new wage comes with consequential adjustment.
“The remaining percentage would be completed in due course and there might be no need for further industrial action.”
The agreement puts paid the allegation that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi “swore” not to pay minimum wage to council workers.
The three-weeks hampered activities at both state and local government system.
Primary schools and health facilities in rural communities shut down and placed under lock and key for 13 months.
closed under Lock and key a situation that forced many pregnant women into patronizing traditional birth attendance.
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