Anambra Govt Agrees to Implement New N30k Minimum Wage

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Thursday, May 2nd, 2019

From Ignatius Okpara, Awka

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Anambra state governor, Chief Willie Obiano has expressed his administration’s readiness to implement the new minimum wage law in the state once the guidelines for the payment are released by the Federal government.

He spoke Wednesday during the 2019 Workers’ Day celebration at the Ekwueme Square in Awka, the Anambra state capital.

The governor said his administration was ready to offer better opportunities that would promote the welfare of workers in the state.

According to him, “I have formally declared the intention of my administration to pay the newly approved minimum wage in Anambra State, I will begin the implementation, once the guidelines for the payment of the minimum wage are released by the Federal Government.

“We have never failed to pay salaries, come rain come shine. We have cleared outstanding pensions that had accumulated for over 25 years, from the inception of our state. We have continued to give out bags of rice to workers to give everyone a sense of belonging during Christmas seasons.

“The Mass Transit buses we provided have made life more bearable to our workers. And in the middle of all these, we are carrying out the renovation of our secretariat to give it a proper facelift.”

In his speech, the state Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Jerry Nnubia, had expressed appreciation to the governor for his quality and visionary leadership, especially in providing security, which had attracted various investors for economic growth.

He, however, regretted the high rate of unemployment especially among the youths, accounting for the high rate of crime and other vices.

“This trend should not be allowed to continue otherwise it will spell doom economically, socially and politically in the country.

“For government to overcome the unemployment crises, there is need for more auto centric and pro-growth policies geared towards attracting and improving private sector investment, ” he said.

The NLC chairman, called on the national salaries, income and wages commission to urgently issue the implementation table to enable the governor to make good his promise of implementing the new minimum wage for workers.

Chairman, Trade Union Congress TUC in the state, Comrade Ifeanyi Okechukwu, on his part, expressed his gratitude to Governor Obiano for placing premium on the welfare of workers.

Our Correspondent reports that the ceremony was attended by workers in both public and private sectors, as well as top government functionaries.