AS the call for speedy implementation of the new minimum wage gathers momentum, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State says the state government will effect adjustment in salaries of civil servants in the state.

Obiano was speaking when he received members of the organised labour on a protest march for actualisation of the new minimum wage at the State Government House, Awka.

He said his administration placed high premium on welfare of workers and pensioners, as they receive their entitlements with fringe benefits on or before 25th of every month.

The governor who was represented by Solo Chukwulobelu, the secretary to the state government, added that the state had remained faithful to workers in the state.

“On the minimum wage, government has been very clear on that; It will like to adjust salaries. I think the organised labour knows that.

“The minimum wage is part of what is in the card and we will listen. The workers should bear in mind that the Governor has assured them that he will do the needful at the appropriate time, as the issue is a national concern that needs legislative enactment.’’

Earlier, Ayuba Wabah, the national president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, told the governor that they were on a nationwide protest and mobilisation on the issue of minimum wage.

The NLC boss, who was represented by Uche, Ekwe, the head of Department, International Relations and Liaison, National Assembly, noted that it was regrettable that several tripartite meetings held to resolve the issue remained inconclusive.

He said the organised labour considered it worthy to embark on nationwide protest and mobilisation as part of its strategies to compel government at all levels to implement N30, 000 minimum wage.

In a remark, Jerry Nnubia, the state chairman of the NLC, said they staged the protest to the Government House, to seek the commitment of the state government to the implementation of the new minimum wage.

He added that the political behaviour of workers in the 2019 elections would be contingent on the implementation of the new minimum wage, as they had resolved to vote out anti-labour public office holders.

-NAN

BE

– Jan. 9, 2019 @ 16:20 GMT |