Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
After weeks of negotiations, the Abia State Government and the Organised Labour, Tuesday, signed agreement on the implementation of the N70,000 new national minimum wage and the consequential adjustments.
The signing ceremony which held at the Conference Room of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, was attended by both representatives of the Labour leadership and Government officials.
In a remark, Governor Alex Otti represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Ajagba, said his administration was fully committed to workers’ welfare.
He promised to pay the minimum wage which takes effect from October, 2024 at the 28th day of every month as he has been doing in the current salary payment.
“The State Government and the Organised Labour agreed that the effective date for the implementation of the new minimum wage shall not be later than October 2024,” the agreement read in part.
The agreement indicates that workers at Grade level 1 step 1, will receive N70,000; Grade 1 step 2 will be paid N70,700; and Grade 1 step 15 to receive N80,463.
It further indicates that Grade 10 level 1 officers are to receive N99,707; while Grade 10 step 15 officers are to go home with N101,722.
The document also showed that workers on Grade level 17 step 1 are to be paid N254,667; while those at the peak of the table, Grade 17 step 9 are to receive N259,805.
Further analysis of the consequential adjustments revealed that Grade level 1 to 3, are to receive 5%; Grade level 4 to 6, 4%; Grade level 7 to 10, 3%; Grade level 12 to 14, 2%; and Grade level 15 to 17, 1%.
Signatories to the agreement include: the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Ajagba; HoS, Queen Obioma; Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya; and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Chairman, Comrade I. O Enogwe.
Others are Commissioner for Finance, Uwaoma Ukandu; Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Sunny Onwuma; and the Accountant General of the State, Dcns Njum Uma-Onyemenam.
The Chairman of Joint Council, Comrade Ekere Uwadi; State NLC Secretary, Emmanuel Alozie; TUC Secretary, Comrade George Okogbue; and the State Secretary of Joint Council, Oby Madubuko, also signed the three-page document.
Speaking, Gov. Otti said workers needed enough motivation to get the best from them.
Otti commended the leadership of Labour for their patience and maturity while the negotiation was going on.
Speaking on behalf of workers, the NLC Chairman, Comrade Ogbonnaya, thanked the Governor for his magnanimity.
He said the implementation of the new minimum wage would motivate workers to put in their best.
The NLC boss commended workers for their patience, and the government team for their understanding during the negotiations.
Head of Service, Dr Queen Obioma, said workers deeply appreciated the gesture, promising that they would reciprocate by putting in their best in service of the state.
“The Government will receive the dividend of motivation which is hardwork,” she said.
The HoS thanked the Governor for his magnanimity, and charged workers to reciprocate through efficient service delivery.
Why govt did not exceed N70,000
Responding to a question on why the state did not add anything on the N70,000 national benchmark, the Governor said: “it does not make sense to promise what cannot be paid,” adding that the state is putting in place other measures to further cushion the effects of the economic hardship.
On why Abia State would not pay beyond N70,000 as minimum wage, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, said that the Governor had recently approved N18 billion for the payment of salary arrears of various staff of tertiary institutions in the state owed by the previous administration.
He also explained that the current administration inherited so much liability and needed to also defray them in addition to others financial responsibilities.
Ekeoma further said Abia had high workforce unlike some states.
He said it was better to promise what could be paid at the end of the month than make unrealistic promises.
