New minimum wage to determine polls outcome –NLC

.. says Obiano Non Committal On New Minimum Wage

Beatrice Onuchukwu Awka

The Anambra State Government workers yesterday protested against non-implementation of new minimum wage nation-wide but failed to get firm promise to pay.

The workers under the umbrella body of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) from Alex Ekwueme Square marched along Enugu-Onitsha expressway to Government House shouting and singing labour slogans till they got to Government House.

However the gates of the government house was opened by the security men and the workers met the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu who received them on behalf of the state Governor Willie Obiano.

Comrade Uche Ebeh who represent the National President of NLC presented the President’s address pointed out the various stages of negotiation for the new minimum wage which culminated in the November 6 tripartite agreement by the government to pay.

State chairman of NLC, comrade Jerry Nnubia in his own address said the November 6 agreement ended the issue of whether the new wage will be paid or not. Nnubia warned that the up coming national election will be foreshadowed by the new minimum wage and that workers will not vote for any political party that did not support it. He demanded for commitment on the part of the state government on the new wage for workers to continue to support it.

Chukwulobelu, however, said that the Governor “will adjust salaries” when the time comes. He narrated efforts made by the Governor to please workers including 15 ‰ increment of salaries within his first six months in office and regular payment of salaries which come on the 25th of every month.

But when he asked them to vote only candidates of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), especially in the House of Assembly election, he received a loud shout of disapproval. He, however, commended the protesters for their peaceful conduct of the protest and pleaded that they they should encourage the governor on his good governance and not to upset the government.

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