Cross River: Shelve planned strike – Gov Otu begs labour over minimum wage

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has pleaded with labour unions in the state to shelve their planned industrial action over non-implementation of the new minimum wage.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to the implementation of the new wage of N70,000 recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

Governor Otu made the appeal during the 5th edition of the State Solemn Assembly held Saturday night at U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Peter Odey, said his government would continue to prioritise the welfare of workers in the state.

DAILY POST reports that labour unions in the state had on Wednesday issued notice of a 2-day warning strike scheduled to commence at midnight of Sunday.

The unions attributed the planned action to the breakdown of negotiations between it and the government.

The organised labour threatened that after the warning strike the industrial action would continue with a December 1 panned nationwide strike.

“I appeal to the leadership of organised labour and all affiliates of the NLC (Nigeria Labour Congress) and TUC (Trade Union Congress) to suspend their planned strike.

“I enjoin them to support the government in the quest to improve the lots of our people,’’ Otu said.

He urged the people of Cross River to sustain their support and prayers for the administration to achieve its ‘People First’ mantra.