Use FG Template to Pay Us, Anambra Soludo Workers Say

Anambra labor leaders on Friday asked Governor Charles Soludo to use the federal government’s template to calculate the new minimum wage for workers.

The President of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, Anambra Chapter, addressed journalists in Awka on workers’ expectations from the new minimum wage.

Aromeh said labor unions in the state, which include the Nigerian Labor Congress, Trade Union Congress and NULGE, “collectively appeal to Soludo, in the interest of workers, to utilize the scheme released by the Federal Government.”

He added: “Yes, there is an issue locally about the new minimum wage and union leaders including the NLC, TUC and NULGE have met with the governor on this issue.

“In Anambra, it is unfortunate that the governor is not getting this right because from what we have seen from him and his team, we are not happy, especially in the areas that affect salaries for grades 8 to 17, with the government’s proposal has nothing to do with anything to write home about.”

Aromeh further said that while the government is basing its argument on its internally generated revenue, available reports show that Anambra is far better than several states that have adopted the federal government’s template for the new minimum wage.

“It is necessary to use the federal government’s scheme rather than adopt a discriminatory package for different classes of workers by the state.

“If what the government is proposing is allowed, that means that as you progress, your salary will continue to go down,” he said.

The NULGE boss wondered why a level one, level one employee would earn over N70,000 while level eight employees would also earn over N70,000 every month.

He stated: “This is wrong. The real work must be done.

“NULGE is not happy with this and seriously requests the Anambra government and Mr. Governor as a father to use the chart used by the Federal Government.

“Governor Soludo is friends with Anambra workers and NULGE in particular, but with this new minimum wage, he is not protecting the collective interests of workers.

“Our collective position is that a regular chart should be used and everything should be calculated as a percentage.

“We hope he does something urgently because he knows the economic hardships workers are facing.”

Aromeh said all workers in the country work in the same market and economy, so no state should implement a template different from the one issued by the federal government.

“If our governor does not accept the federal government’s template, we have other options than giving him an ultimatum or going to court because we don’t want to create problems in the state,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the government would convince workers to use the federal government’s template due to the current economic difficulties in the country.

NAS