Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River has appealed to labour unions in the state to shelve their planned industrial action over none implementation of the new minimum wage.

The governor said his administration remained committed to implementing the new wage of N70,000 recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

The governor made the appeal during the fifth edition of the state solemn assembly held Saturday night at U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

“I appeal to the leadership of organised labour and all affiliates of the NLC (Nigeria Labour Congress) and TUC (Trade Union Congress) to suspend their planned strike.

“I enjoin them to support the government in the quest to improve the lives of our people,’’ Mr Otu said.

Represented by his deputy, Peter Odey, Mr Otu said his government would continue to prioritise welfare of workers.

Labour unions in the state had, last Wednesday, issued notice of a two-day warning strike scheduled to commence at midnight of Sunday.

The unions attributed the planned action to the breakdown of negotiations between it and the government.

The organised labour threatened that after the warning strike, the industrial action would continue with a December 1 panned nationwide strike.

He urged the people of Cross River to sustain their support and prayers for the administration to achieve its “People First” mantra. 

(NAN)