The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has reversed its initial rejection of the state government’s proposal for a 13-month salary in December. This decision was reached during an emergency, enlarged state executive council meeting held in Uyo on Saturday.
Previously, the labour unions had rejected Governor Umo Eno’s offer to pay December salaries at the old rate alongside a 13th-month salary, pending the completion of a staff verification exercise required to implement the new minimum wage.
In a communiqué signed by NLC Chairman Sunny James and Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman Dominic Abang, the unions announced their resolution to accept the December salary at the old rate, with the additional 13-month bonus.
The communiqué commended the government’s ongoing staff verification exercise, highlighting its potential to reduce the wage bill and create employment opportunities. It also directed that the process be expedited.
“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 communiqué stated.
The union further expressed optimism about the verification process, noting its dual benefits for the state and workers. “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,” it added.
The Labour leaders also urged Governor Eno to conclude the exercise promptly to facilitate the implementation of the new minimum wage by January 2025.
“To cushion the impact of non-payment of the December salary at the new rate as earlier agreed, the meeting resolved to accept the December 2024 salary at the old rate, in addition to the 13th-month bonus,” the communiqué stated.
Earlier in December, PUNCH had reported that civil servants in the state planned to embark on a strike over the delay in implementing the national minimum wage. However, the union’s latest resolution signals a temporary truce, pending the completion of the verification exercise.
