In his effort to pay the reviewed minimum wage, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi says the state’s paucity of funds will not impede the payment of the minimum wage, but a table that will guide its payment will reached between the state government and the organised labour in the state.
This formed the basis of deliberation during the Executive Council Meeting held in Abakaliki, the State capital.
The agreement, according to the Governor will end bickering and lay to rest, the much touted minimum wage.
Umahi said he has decided to match words with commensurate actions rather than resorting to rhetorics.
The agreement which was signed today will take effect from January 2020, has both sides agreeing that Civil Servants from grade level one to six will get a consequential increment of 59 percent, while Civil servants on grade level seven will get 39 percent increment while those on grade level 8 will get 16.5percecent
Also workers on grade level 9 to 14 are to get upward salary adjustment of 10 percent while those on level 15 to 17 will get 8 percent adjustment.
The governor however noted that the state government and labour agreed that no arrears will paid to the workers.
Commissioner for Finance in the state, Prof Ogbonnaya Chukwu, signed on behalf of the Ebonyi State Government while chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council, Patrick Onyekwere signed on behalf of Labour.
Speaking on the sidelines of the agreement, Labour leader, Patrick Onyekwere said the table was agreed upon by both sides without any imposition.
The governor, however, urged the Organised Labour to join hands with government to shore up the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state so as to be able to meet the responsibilities to the workers.
The state Head of Service, Commissioner for Local Government and 13 Local Government Chairmen signed for goverment while the Chairman and Secretary of the Joint Negotiating Council signed on behalf of the Organised Labour in the state.
From the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Press Unit, Government House Abakaliki.
