Abia To Pay New Minimum Wage From October –  Govt

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia State authorities on Monday, September 23, 2024, informed that it has concluded plans to start the payment of the N 70,000 new minimum wage to its workforce effective October.

The State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who announced this at the end of the State Executive Council meeting did not however, revealed the template to be used.

The Commissioner noted that the payment will be made to all categories of workers.

The Source reports that the Organized Labour and the Federal Government had negotiated and agreed on a N70,000 monthly minimum wage for workers across the country.

But most states, including Abia, had insisted on further negotiation to arrive at what they can conveniently  pay in line with their resources.

The leadership of the Abia State Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, penultimate week, in the wake of the negotiation with the Government, insisted that for  workers within grade level I and step I ,the payments of N70,000 minimum is non negotiable.

However, it said the NLC will be amenable to negotiating on issues relating to consequential adjustment .

The Federal Government had last week announced the conclusion of its own discussions on Consequential adjustment ,and has announced that the payment date for the new minimum wage for its workforce will be July 29, 2024.

Prince Kanu stated that the payment of the new minimum wage is in keeping with the administration’s commitment towards improving the welfare of workers in the state.

“Baring any unforseen circumstances ,the Abia state Government will commence the payment of the new minimum wage to its workers from October 2024.

“This is in part to underscore the Government’s commitment to the welfare of Abia workers and in fulfilment of the promise of his Excellency ,the Executive Governor of Abia state Dr Alex Otti, to Abia workers.

“The payment of this minimum wage is in line with the broader agenda .of the Federal Government and has been designed to cut across all categories of workers.”

But the leadership of the NLC in the State is yet to make public, the terms of its agreement with the Government concerning the template to be used.