By Akakan Umoh
Akwa Ibom Government and Nigeria Labour Congress, Akwa Ibom Council may clash on delay in the implementation of nationwide Minimum Wage for workers in the state.
Though the state government wants to commence payment of the new Minimum Wage after the biometric verification of workers in its employ, Nigeria Labour Congress in the state holds a hard stance against delay in the implementation of the minimum wage, an action that may result in strike.
A new Minimum Wage Bill was signed into law on July 18 by President Bola Tinubu after months of failed negotiations with the Organised Labour.
But, Federal Government fixed July 29, 2024 as the effective implementation date of the Minimum Wage of N70,000, but the payment to Federal Government staffers began from Thursday, September 26, 2024.
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Sensing that the decision to delay the commencement of the new minimum wage may not go down well with the Organised Labour in Akwa Ibom, the governor warned those who he said are constantly agitating for disruption of the “smooth and seamless” relationship that exists between the state government and Organised Labour to “have a rethink.”
Governor Eno did not mention when the state government would start paying arrears of minimum wage but offered to pay civil servants a 13th month’s salary by next month.
“Since we came in, we have paid critical attention to the needs and the welfare of civil servants in this State. To date, we have paid N35 billion in gratuities to retired state, local government workers and primary school teachers in the State,” he said, highlighting his commitment to workers welfare.
NLC Rejects the proposal
Speaking on XL106.9 FM, Uyo on Wednesday, Comrade Alpha J. Marshall, Secretary of the NLC, Akwa Ibom State said ‘‘Come 1st December, if the government of Akwa Ibom State does not do the needful, we will join the strike as directed by the National NLC. It is as simple as that. The fact that the biometric verification is ongoing does not preclude the fact that the workers need to be given what belongs to them.
‘‘Minimum Wage Bill was signed into law June with July 29 as effective date. This is November. Talking about biometric verification, yes, they can continue. But, we have to give an effective date of implementation of the new Minimum Wage. That is sacrosanct. And we are going to back down on it,’’ Marshall added.
