From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Poised to alleviate the welfare of workers, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has given approval for the implementation of the N70,000 Federal Government approved national minimum wage for workers in Imo State.
Recall that based on the federal government’s directive for a pay raise for workers nationwide, Governor Uzodimma keyed into the plan almost immediately, setting 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 for the N70,000 new minimum wage for Imo State workers was reached within the week after members of the committee had turned in their report to the Governor.
Addressing the different parties at his Conference Room before the agreement on the decision to pay N70,000 reached 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.””
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.
The Governor further informed that the outstanding gratuity since 2006 at the Local Government level stands at 4,529 retirees, while that at the State level stands at 6,427 retirees.
However, Governor Uzodimma assured that effective Tuesday (26/11/2024), his government will resume gratuity payment of 2962 retires at the Local Government level and 2742 at the State level, with the outstanding balance of 1567 ( Local Government Area retirees ) and 2685 ( State retirees) to be paid in the next one or two batches.
He reassured 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.
Both the NLC and TUC Chairmen could not hide their excitement while they signed the agreement.
Responding, the NLC Chairman, 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.”
Nwaigwe specifically thanked the Governor for the payment of gratuity to pensioners of both the Local Government and State levels, and more importantly, the inclusion of 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 with them.
