Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Anambra State chapter has called on the State Government to implement full minimum wage for the entire workforce in Anambra State.
NLC state chairman, Comrade Chinwe Orizu, made the call during the 13th delegate conference of the NLC Anambra State Chapter held on Tuesday at the Teachers’ House, Awka, the state capital.
Commending the governor for increasing workers’ salaries in the state by 10 percent across board and regular payment of workers in the state, Comrade Orizu implored him to implement full minimum wage for the state’s workforce.
She said, “Mr Governor we wish to use this medium to appreciate your accelerated progress and development in Agriculture, one-youth-two-skill empowerment programme, employment of workers in education and health care, massive road construction and many other programmes towards making Anambra State a prosperous and liveable homeland.
“We appreciate you for the 10% increase in the salaries of Anambra State workers and Christmas Bonus for every worker and pensioner in December 2022, and payment of salaries as and when due, we say thank you sir.
“We pray that this cordial relationship between Labour and government will continue to benefit workers in the state.”
She described the the theme of this year’s conference: “Building People’s Power, National Unity and Quest for a New Social Contract” as apt adding, that the selection of this theme was born out of the need to mobilise the energy of workers and the people for positive political, industrial and social change in Nigeria especially on the basis of a new social contract that can guarantee genuine national unity and sustainable national development.
She added: “This aspiration comes across with the commitment and work of the NLC in more than six decades of her existence to foster solidarity in the Labour movement and engage government and employers on values we hold dearly especially issues of good governance and protection of human, social and workers’ rights.
“The state delegates conference being the highest organ of congress in the state serves the purpose of reviewing the activities and engagements of congress in the preceding four years and also provide congress the opportunity and space to evaluate the struggle.
“Mr governor Sir, the congress wish to draw your attention once again on some specific requests hoping that you will graciously give approval to them: “Full implementation of new minimum wage. congress request our labour-friendly governor to look into the report of the committee to address the issue of minimum wage and other issues therein.
“The government should as a matter of urgency look into the issue of contributory pension and remit their own contribution to Pension Administrators as at when due and put all machinery in motion for seamless operation for the system to succeed.
“Congress demands that appointment of Permanent Secretaries should be based on competence and within the Service.
“Congress appeals to you Mr Governor for a well articulated policy and programme that will ensure quick start and completion of of low cost housing for workers in the state. If actualised, this will go a long way in alleviating the accommodation problem of Workers.”
