Ebonyi governor threatens to withhold striking workers’ pay

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, has warned state workers threatening to go on strike to return to work or lose their pay.

The governor spoke on Wednesday while swearing-in newly appointed local government caretaker committee chairperson, vice chairpersons and secretaries at the Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre, Abakaliki.

Mr. Umahi said attendance registers have been provided for workers in their offices to record their names whenever they go to work as it would be used for payment of salaries.

“Our workers should return to work because our position on the Dr. Sam Egwu-led committee salary structure is irreversible.

“If you work, you will be paid, if you don’t work, you will not be paid,’’ he said.

He urged the labour union to allow workers who go to work to do their job and avoid harassing them.

Mr. Umahi said his administration would increase salaries of workers in a manner that would be beneficial to junior workers and not the senior ones.

According to him, the salary structure demanded by organized labour in the state gave only seven per cent to the junior workers and 125 per cent to the senior ones. Mr. Umahi described it as unacceptable.

He said he would continue to pay the salary structure recommended by the Sam Egwu-led committee as it would ensure fairness and justice.

He directed the newly sworn-in chairperson to recover all the stolen vehicles in the local government system and over N1.8 billion allegedly looted by the former caretaker committee chairpersons.

Mr. Umahi also charged them to set up micro schemes that would transform the fortunes of women and youth in their localities.