Abia Orders Immediate Review Of Minimum Wage Payment Structure, To Pay 13th Month Salary

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, on Tuesday December 3, 2024, directed an immediate and comprehensive review of  the computation of the implementation schedule for the N70,000 new minimum wage.

This is even as he informed that the State workforce will be receiving the 13th month salary, alongside December wages on, or before 20th of the month.

Governor Otti,who spoke at a joint meeting between the state Government and the leadership of the organized labour, held at the Government House, said the review exercise is to address all observed errors and areas of disagreement in the computation of the consequential adjustment.

The Source reports that disagreement between labour and the Government over the templates applied in the computation of the consequential adjustment had prompted the National Leadership of the Organized Labour to include Abia on the list of 14 other States believed to be in breach of the implementation of the new minimum wage.

However, despite its protestation against its inclusion on the list of States where workers were directed to proceed on a warning strike over the non-payment of the new wage, the State Government managed to engage the Organized Labour to stave off any industrial action.

“I have directed the Government team to revisit the salary structure and address the issues identified.

“In the coming days, we will engage with the leadership of Organized labour to finalize necessary adjustments” Governor Otti stated.

He,  however, insisted that it was wron, and a clear case of lack of adequate information for the Labour Leadership to include Abia as one of the defaulting States.

While emphasizing the unwavering commitment of his administration to workers welfare, he noted that Abia state commenced the implementation of the new minimum wage since October ending.

Governor Otti, maintained that as a further step towards showing his administration’s dedication to the enhancement of the welfare of the workers,  he stated that plans have been  concluded to pay  civil servants the 13th month salary, together with the December salary on or before December 20.

Further speaking, the Governor acknowledged both the collaborative and crucial roles of civil servants to the success story of his administration so far.

He expressed the  readiness of his Government  to continually see the workforce as partners in the onerous task of repositioning the state

While appreciating Governor Otti, for his timely intervention, the Abia state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, Comrade Ogbonnaya Okoro, also, lauded him for his commitment to the welfare of the state workforce.

He assured the Governor of the continued understanding and support of the organized labour.

The Source reports that with the outcome of the meeting which featured other Government officials, Chairmen and Secretaries of all affiliate Unions of the NLC and TUC, the state authorities have in the main, aborted any possible strike action.