Following the threat by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress, TUC, to embark on indefinite strike from July 15, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has commenced negotiations with leaders of organized labour in the state.
The negotiation, which started on Friday, is expected to continue on Saturday and is aimed at ensuring welfare of the workers in the state.
During the negotiations, the Governor promised that his administration would create a Ministry of Labour and Productivity which he said, will be headed by a person from the labour fold.
Otti also said that his administration had not received any dime from the Federal government to implement the N35,000 wage award for workers in the state, but promised to look into the wage award demand of Abia workers.
Among the demands by the organized labour included old N30,000 minimum wage, 35,000 naira palliative award, arrears of leave and promotions, salaries owed to workers in government parastatals and agencies and pensions and gratuities.
Other matters are cancellation of command promotions and verification matters.
Otti moves to avert indefinite strike, pledges to create new ministry