The Abia State government has dismissed as false and misleading the claim by the national leadership of Organized Labour that the state is among 14 yet to implement the new National Minimum Wage. This clarification was made during a press briefing on Sunday by the Chief of Staff to Governor Alex Otti, Caleb Ajagba, at the Government House in Umuahia.
Early Implementation of the New Minimum Wage
Ajagba revealed that Abia was among the first states to implement the new wage structure, starting in October 2024. He emphasized that workers had already received their October and November salaries reflecting the new minimum wage.
“It is misinformation that Abia State has not started the implementation of the new minimum wage. Abia workers have been paid the first salary according to the new minimum wage in October, and that has also been done this November,” Ajagba said.
Governor Otti’s Commitment to Workers’ Welfare
The Chief of Staff reaffirmed Governor Alex Otti’s dedication to the welfare of Abia workers, highlighting his administration’s commitment to maintaining industrial harmony. Ajagba expressed surprise at the inclusion of Abia in the list of states yet to implement the new wage, attributing the confusion to miscommunication.
“The present administration has consistently prioritized workers’ welfare. We have demonstrated unwavering commitment to addressing any concerns that arise,” he added.
Labour Leaders Acknowledge Implementation, Raise Concerns
The State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ogbonnaya Okoro, and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Ihechi Eneogwe, confirmed that the state government had indeed implemented the new minimum wage. However, they pointed out discrepancies in the salary adjustments for workers on grade levels 8 to 16.
“Abia State implemented the minimum wage in October, but it did not favour all workers. It favoured workers between levels 1 to 7. From 8 to 16 were not properly taken care of,” said Okoro.
Government and Labour in Dialogue
The labour leaders reassured workers that discussions with the government are ongoing to address the anomalies in the salary structure. They expressed confidence that the identified issues would soon be resolved to ensure fairness across all grade levels.
“The Organized Labour is in talks with the Abia State government to ensure that the error is corrected,” Eneogwe added.
Bottom Line
The Abia State government has restated its commitment to the full and fair implementation of the National Minimum Wage. Both government officials and labour leaders have pledged to collaborate in addressing outstanding concerns, ensuring that all workers benefit equitably from the new wage structure.
