The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abia State Council, has strongly criticised members of the Abia State House of Assembly over what it described as a reckless display of force and an attempt to undermine the leadership of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) during an ongoing industrial dispute over the non-implementation of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS).
The NLC’s reaction followed the industrial action embarked upon by PASAN members on December 2, 2025, to press for the payment of their CONLESS, an action that led to the shutdown of the Assembly complex. Tension escalated on December 9, 2025, when lawmakers, led by the Speaker, reportedly forced their way into the Assembly premises after breaking the padlock and chain used to secure the complex.
Addressing lawmakers during a protest visit to the Assembly, the Chairman of the NLC in Abia State, Comrade Ogbonnaya Okoro, said the Congress was angered by the manner in which the PASAN chairman and members were treated. He stressed that such actions amounted to a disregard for due process and workers’ rights.
Comrade Okoro further insisted on the full implementation of CONLESS, stating that the union expects the salary structure to take effect not later than January 2025. He warned that failure to meet this demand would compel organised labour to take decisive action to enforce its position.
In his remarks, the PASAN Chairman, Comrade Sunday Kalu, expressed optimism that the issue would be resolved, noting that the leadership of the House had signed an undertaking to implement CONLESS by January.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, said he had engaged the state governor on the matter, adding that the governor had assured him that payment of CONLESS to Assembly workers would commence from January 2026.
