Ebonyi gov tips civil servants N150,000 Christmas bonus

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has declared that every civil servant in the state will receive a $150,000 Christmas bonus.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Monday Uzor, announced this on Facebook on Thursday evening.

Mr. Uzor revealed that the bonus would be given to state employees by 1:00 P. M. on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.

“Every Worker in Ebonyi State service will receive ₦150,000 as a Christmas Bonus before 1 pm on Tuesday… Gov. Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru”, the post read.

According to report, the governor authorized the payment of the state’s civil officers’ minimum wage of N75,000 on October 27.

Nwifuru said in a statement that the new minimum wage was being implemented and that the decision was made after a thorough analysis of the nation’s current economic climate, particularly as it relates to the workers.

“According to the Governor, the least paid Civil Servant on grade level 2 will enjoy a full minimum wage of N75, 000 while from grade level 3 and above will get incremental of N40, 000 across board”, the statement read.

Earlier, NLC condemned Ebonyi gov’s threat to sack striking workers

The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Joe Ajaero, called Francis Nwifuru’s warning against workers who were protesting the non-implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage in Ebonyi State “reckless” on Tuesday.

Mr. Ajaero voiced his shock at the governor’s actions in a statement provided to our correspondent in Abuja.

Workers who went on strike about not receiving their minimum wage were threatened with termination by Governor Nwifuru.

Ajaero said in the statement that unsuccessful negotiations and notifications to the governor regarding the necessity of enforcing the 2024 national minimum wage, which had been put into law a few months prior, preceded the walkout.

“The law provides for enforcement by workers.

“Furthermore, strike action is a lawful and legitimate tool for aggrieved workers”, Ajaero said.

“In this regard, we consider the threats by the governor to be irresponsible and unhelpful.

“A reasonable governor should have invited the labour leaders in the state for dialogue to resolve the issue promptly.

“But he seems to think he is above it all.

“We want the world to know that Governor Nwifuru is the first to escalate this issue, despite being fully responsible for it.

“We also want the world to understand that we have the right to respond as we pursue justice in this matter.

“Consequently, the National Secretariat of the Congress has directed all affiliates, including those in the private sector, to immediately join the strike action”.

Ajaero stated that workers who are already on strike should not back down in response to the governor’s threats.

He continued, asking them to keep up the pressure until the governor acknowledges the necessity of following the law and paying the minimum wage.

He added that if more instructions were needed, they would be given.

According to reports, the NLC has directed states to start strike action if their governments have not yet enacted the new minimum wage.

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