We’ve started new minimum wage implementation, Abia govt replies NLC

Abia State Government (ABSG) and the Organised Labour have described as false and misleading the information by the national leadership of the Organised Labour that Abia is among the 14 States yet to commence the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage and hence should embark on an industrial action.

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba who disclosed this while briefing newsmen at Government House Umuahia during a meeting with the Organised Labour in the state, said that Abia was one of the first states to commence implementing the new wage for its workers and had already started implementation since October this year.

“It is a misinformation that Abia State has not started the implementation of the new minimum wage. Of course, Abia workers have been paid the first salary according to the new minimum wage in their October salary and that has also been done this last November. So, it is not true that Abia State is one of those States that has not started implementation of the new national minimum wage. Ajagba stated.

While reaffirming the commitment of Governor Alex Otti in prioritizing the welfare of Abia workers, Ajagba reiterated that the present administration has always demonstrated commitment to industrial harmony and the welfare of Abia workers and wondered why Abia should be named among states yet to implement the new wage.

He noted that the issue was the grey areas that the Organised Labour observed after the implementation, which the government has also shown its firm commitment to addressing and assured that whatever shortcomings arising from the implementation will be well taken care of.

“His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti has always demonstrated his commitment to ensuring industrial harmony and also to making sure the welfare of Abia workers receives priority attention. It is on record that Abia State was one of the States that signified the intention and went ahead to contact the Organized Labour when the Federal Government concluded the issue of minimum wage.

“We rounded off our deliberations in October and the first payment was made the same October. After the payment was made, the Organised Labour made some observations which they communicated back to us . In the same spirit of being a very responsible government, we assured them that it should be looked into,” Ajagba explained.

While describing Abia and the government of Dr Alex Otti as responsible and responsive, Pastor Ajagba noted that organised labour has always enjoyed a cordial working relationship with the state government.

Also speaking, the State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ogbonnaya Okoro and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Comrade Ihechi Eneogwe confirmed that Abia State government has already commenced implementation of the new minimum wage from October this year, pointing out that the issues were some anomalies observed in the salaries of workers between grade levels 8 to 16. They noted that the Organized Labour is in talks with the Abia State Government to ensure the error noted is addressed, assuring that it would be corrected.

According to Okoro, “Let me categorically say that Abia State implemented the minimum wage in October but it did not favour all the workers. It favoured workers between level 1 to 7. From 8 to 16 were not properly taken care of. When we noticed that anomaly, the Organised Labour wrote a letter reminding the government that we had not tidied up the remaining loose ends, and that there was a need for workers between level 8 and 16 should be better placed.

“Immediately that minimum wage was implemented in October those in level 7 were taken higher payment than those in level 10. And it’s not supposed to be like that,” Okoro maintained.

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