The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress has reversed its earlier stance and agreed to the state government’s proposal for a 13-month salary in December.
This decision was reached following an emergency, enlarged state executive congress meeting held in Uyo on Saturday.
Previously, the state Labour movement had rejected Governor Umo Eno’s offer to pay December salaries at the old rate, alongside a 13th-month salary, pending the conclusion of a staff verification exercise required to implement the new minimum wage.
In a communiqué signed by NLC Chairman Sunny James and TUC Chairman Dominic Abang, the union resolved to accept the December salary at the old rate, coupled with the 13-month bonus.
The communiqué commended the state government’s ongoing verification exercise, emphasising its potential benefits.
According to the union, the process would help reduce the wage bill and create new employment opportunities.
The communiqué read in part: “The meeting directed the Organised Labour to work expeditiously with the Government to compress the days of the staff verification exercise schedule to include Saturdays, so the exercise can be concluded in the first week of January 2025.”
The union further highlighted its support for the verification process, stating: “Through a critical analysis of the staff verification exercise, the Labour Movement has seen that the exercise will be beneficial to both the State Government and the Labour Movement through wage bill reduction and employment opportunities, respectively.”
The Labour leaders applauded Governor Eno’s efforts and encouraged him to conclude the verification exercise promptly to ensure the immediate implementation of the new minimum wage by January 2025.
“In view of the above, the meeting has resolved to accept the December 2024 salary at the old rate, in addition to the 13th-month bonus, to cushion the impact of non-payment of the December salary at the new rate as earlier agreed and documented by the Implementation Committee,” the communiqué stated.
Earlier in December, PUNCH Online reported that civil servants in the state had resolved to embark on strike on Wednesday, 4 December 2024, over the non-implementation of the national minimum wage.
