Workers In Imo Blast Gov Uzodimma, Claim Alleged Wage Increase A Greek Gift

The recent announcement by Governor Hope Uzodimma of an increase in the minimum wage has been criticised by workers in Imo State as “furthering the deceptive, fraudulent, and insulting system of governance operated by the 3R regime in the last three years.”

An important Imo State labour leader who spoke to journalists under the condition of anonymity expressed disgust with Uzodimma’s treatment of Imo workers and advised Imo residents to disregard the rumored salary hike as yet another effort to disparage Imo State workers.

According to him; “It is ridiculous that while thousands of Imo workers are yet to receive their salaries in the past 36 months and while this regime in Imo State is yet to implement the 30,000 Naira Minimum wage approved by the federal government more than five years ago, this governor is quick to rush to the television to announce a purported increase in the minimum wage.”

Continuing he said that Imo workers are waiting for the outcome of the ongoing negotiation with by the national leadership of NLC and would align with whatever agreement reached at that level, because according to him; the effect of subsidy removal will affect all workers the same way.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the national leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress and all affiliate unions are in discussion with the Federal Government over wage increment, and we will not allow ourselves to be waylaid by a governor who has proven over time that he cannot be trusted. We expect that if the governor really means well for Imo workers, he would first of all, clear backlog of salaries owed to thousands of our colleagues, who have turned to beggars as a result of nonpayment of their salaries in the last 40 months. We also expect that the governor would rather prioritise the payment of the 30,000 Naira minimum wage which was approved by the federal government more than five years ago, and which Imo State is among few States where this has not been implemented.”

The Labour Union activist argued that the Imo governor is unfriendly to Imo workers and treats them very unfairly, but wants to use them to win his reelection bid. He warned that no amount of deceptive antics will earn the APC another chance at the Imo State government house.

“Imo workers have suffered enough, we have been ridiculed enough. We have been beaten up, flogged and deprived of our legitimate rights and entitlements by the Uzodimma administration, yet he is coming around now to offer us a Greek gift in order to lure us into supporting his second term ambition. We have decided that this will not happen. Uzodimma was an error and majority of Imo workers have taken a decision to stop him from continuing a day beyond January 14th 2024. We cannot reinforce illegitimacy, insensitivity and insincerity. Uzodimma has been insincere to us and Imo workers will do everything to pay him back in his own coin”.

On the promise by the governor to give workers one meal per day, he described it as; “a height of insult and an evidence of the poor thinking within the government.”

“How would a government in this 21st century be thinking of such unintelligent idea? Who will cook this food? How will it be prepared and what is its aim? I think they are merely looking for other ways to steal money from Imo commonwealth and settle some of their cronies. Imo workers are not interested in accepting any poisoned food from him. What we ask for is our legitimate entitlements. Each of us can cook in our houses and eat to our full, if we are paid a living wage.”

Recall that Uzodimma, following his recent visit to Imo State, announced a contentious increase in workers salaries and other so-called palliatives for workers following the recent removal of subsidy by the Federal Government.