No-work, no-pay, Ikpeazu dares striking workers

The Abia State government has on Wednesday declared that it would begin the enforcement of the no-work-no-pay policy on striking workers.

This is contained in statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chris Ezem, saying the decision became necessary following incessant industrial actions by state workers.

Ezem described the incessant strikes as retrogressive and counterproductive, while lamenting that some of the salary arrears were inherited from the previous administrations.

The statement reads: “Government is worried at the spate of incessant strike action by some Government establishments as the only means of pressing home their demands to Government.

“This action is, to say the least, counterproductive and retrogressive.

“Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) is a case in point. This Administration is 97 months old already.

“Since the inception of the present Administration, ABSUTH has been on strike for 21 months whilst Resident Doctors have been on strike for 25 months (from November 2018 till date).

“However, the government has continually paid ABSUTH salaries for 34 months and Resident Doctors for 35 months.

“To this end, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, directs as a matter of policy that henceforth, the Rule of ‘no work; no pay’ applies in Abia State.

“Whereas we promise and commit to paying all genuine workers their entitlements, we shall resist any attempt by some politicians to blackmail the government and undermine the well-being of innocent citizens by politicising workers’ welfare.

“In view of the foregoing, all government agencies, law enforcement agencies, and the general public are by this notice invited to note the above policy for compliance.”