The Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised concerns over the non-payment of salaries for local government workers since February, warning that it may embark on a strike if the issue is not resolved by the end of March.
Speaking at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday, NLC State Chairman Alex Agwanwor stated that workers’ patience is running out. He warned that if salaries for both February and March are not paid by month-end, the union will have no choice but to withdraw its members from service.
Agwanwor also demanded the immediate implementation of the minimum wage for local government workers, emphasizing that their welfare should not be affected by the ongoing political crisis in the state.
“Workers’ salaries, especially at the local government level, have not been paid since February. We demand immediate payment before the end of March, along with the implementation of the minimum wage. If this is not done, we will be forced to withdraw our services across all local government areas and public sectors in Rivers State,” Agwanwor declared.
The NLC chairman further aligned with the national leadership of organized labour regarding the state of emergency in Rivers, stressing that workers should not suffer due to political instability.
“Rivers workers are not partisan, and they should not bear the brunt of these crises. Their salaries and welfare must be prioritized,” he added.
The union has given the state government until the end of March to address these demands, failing which a statewide industrial action could be imminent.
