The governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma has approved the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage for workers in the state.
In line with the national minimum wage approved by the federal government, Governor Uzodimma set up an implementation committee comprising the leadership of Labour in Imo State—the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress ( TUC), the Joint Union Negotiating Council—and government representatives.
The decision to establish a N70,000 minimum wage for Imo State workers was reached after the committee members turned in their report to the governor following their recent two-day marathon meeting.
Addressing the different parties at the conference room before the agreement on the decision to pay N70,000 was signed, the governor said that “all the unions operating in the state had agreed on the minimum wage and in addition, that those on consolidated salaries who are already on N70,000 minimum wage will get additional 10 per cent on top of their salaries.”
Governor Uzodimma also used the opportunity to approve the implementation of the financial effect of the last promotions of Imo State workers, the upward review of pension allowances for retirees after conclusion of ongoing pension audit, and the on boarding of Imo State pensioners in the State’s Free Health Care Insurance Scheme.
Also, the governor noted that the outstanding gratuity since 2006 at the local government level has stood at 4,529 retirees, while that at the state level has stood at 6427 retirees.
Governor Uzodimma assured that effective Tuesday the administration will resume gratuity payment of 2,962 retires at the local government level and 2,742 at the state level, with the outstanding balance of 1567 ( local government area retirees ) and 2685 ( state retirees) to be paid in two batches.
The governor assured of the commitment of his administration to make Imo workers happy as well as to ensure that the pensioners who invested their youthful energy in serving the state are adequately rewarded.
The NLC and TUC chairmen could not hide their excitement while signing the agreement.
In his remarks, the NLC chairman of the Imo State Council, Comrade Uche Chigemezu Nwaigwe, applauded the Governor for “his benevolence to Imo workers” and assured that “the workers will reciprocate the gesture by being more dedicated to duty and more productive.”
He thanked the Governor for paying gratuities to pensioners at the Local Government and State levels and, more importantly, for including pensioners in the Free Health Care Insurance Scheme of Imo State.
On his part, the TUC chairman, Comrade Uche Great did not only join his NLC colleague in appreciating the governor for the pronouncements, but assured that the workers and the entire people of Imo State will be comfortable.
