ABIA STATE- The Abia State Government (ABSG) and the National Labour Congress have dismissed false and misleading claims by the national leadership of The National Labour Congress that Abia state is among the 14 states yet to commence the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage, warranting industrial action.
During a briefing at the Government House in Umuahia, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, clarified that Abia was one of the first states to begin implementing the new wage for its workers, starting in October this year.
“It is misinformation that Abia State has not started the implementation of the new minimum wage. Abia workers received their first salary according to the new minimum wage in October, and this continued in November. Therefore, it is not true that Abia State is among those yet to implement the new national minimum wage,” Ajagba stated.
Ajagba reaffirmed Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of Abia state workers, emphasizing the administration’s dedication to industrial harmony. He expressed confusion over why Abia state was listed among states yet to implement the new wage.
He acknowledged that the Organised Labour had identified some grey areas after the implementation, which the government is committed to addressing. Ajagba assured that any shortcomings arising from the implementation would be resolved.
“His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, has always demonstrated his commitment to ensuring industrial harmony and prioritizing the welfare of Abia workers. Abia State was one of the first to engage with the Organized Labour when the Federal Government concluded the minimum wage issue. We completed our deliberations in October, and the first payment was made the same month. After the payment, the Organised Labour made some observations, which we assured them would be addressed,” Ajagba explained.
Ajagba described the government of Dr. Alex Otti as responsible and responsive, noting that the organised labour has always enjoyed a cordial working relationship with the state government.
The State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ogbonnaya Okoro, and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Comrade Ihechi Eneogwe, confirmed that the Abia State government commenced the new minimum wage implementation in October. They pointed out anomalies in the salaries of workers between grade levels 8 to 16, which the Organised Labour is addressing with the state government.
“Abia State implemented the minimum wage in October, but it did not favor all workers. It favored workers between levels 1 to 7, while those from levels 8 to 16 were not properly taken care of. When we noticed this anomaly, the Organized Labour wrote to the government, reminding them of the need to address the remaining issues. Workers between levels 8 and 16 should be better placed,” Okoro stated.
“Immediately after the minimum wage was implemented in October, those in level 7 received higher payments than those in level 10, which is not supposed to be the case,” Okoro maintained.
