Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has promised to implement the new minimum wage bill recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari “after necessary documentations have been effected.”
The law makes for the payment of N30,000 as the minimum wage for public sector workers in the country.
Speaking during this year’s celebration of the Workers’day held at the Uyo township stadium, the governor did not however state when its implementation would begin adding instead that it would be after the documentation had been completed.
Udom who promised to “always keep a listening ear to your issues and concerns and together,” said the state government would continue to identify with the organised labour in the state. the peace we have enjoyed all-round will continue to flourish and abound in our State.
“The organised labour has been very supportive of my administration, and for this, I remain deeply indebted and grateful. The maintenance of industrial peace in Akwa Ibom State has helped in the realisation of a stable economic growth in the state and an atmosphere of shared commitment to peace, prosperity and development of our dear state.”
While appealing to the workers to steer of mischief makers whose stock in trade is to spread propaganda and destroy the collective good intention of the people, the governor also urged the workers to continue to support policies that are people-driven to ensure an egalitarian society.
Earlier in his address, the new NLC Chairman in the state, Comrade Sunny James, lamented that workers are still being exploited and oppressed since the sad events of May 4, 1886 which led to the declaration by International Workers Movement of May 1 as the International Workers Day.
He said it a sad reality that the scenario is captured in this year’s celebration with the theme “Another 100 years of struggle for Jobs and Social Justice”.
However he commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for his disposition to the welfare of workers in the state.
The new Chairman said he was confident that the governor would not waste time in the implementation of the new minimum wage of N30,000.
“We in the Akwa Ibom State segment of the Nigeria Labour Congress, are however confident, given the promptness and regularity of payment of salary to all categories of workers in the state and the Governor’s repeated assurance to pay the new minimum wage”, the Labour chairman said.
Also speaking the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Akamba Awa, lauded the governor for his friendly disposition to the workers in the state and urged him to honour all obligations concerning the welfare of worker.
He said Governor Udom Emanuel was the Governor since the history of the state to be endorsed for re-election by the organized labour in the state, adding it was a demonstration of the workers confident in his ability to pilot the fairs of the state.
