By: Ezekiel Nnabuife
In an unusual twist of events, the Anambra State Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress under the leadership of Comrade Humphery Nwafor, has addressed the Press to debunk stories of a rustic relations between the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR. and the Union in the State.
This is coming days after the National President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, issued a letter mandating the Anambra chapter of the union to prepare for industrial action. Comrade Humphery briefed the media yesteday, May 22nd, 2024 in Awka stating that the State government is fully complying to paying the full minimum wage and its consequential adjustment following the realisation that the Law defines Minimum wage as a worker’s take home pay and not his basic salary.
He further noted that Governor Soludo had graciously increased this take home pay by 10% as at January 2023. He allayed fears of any industrial action by the State chapter, noting that Governor Soludo has demonstrated unprecedented interest and willingness to address every other concerns raised by the union, including approving the site for the construction of the Labour House and abolishing the grossly misunderstood contributory pension fund regime in the State.
To this end, a committee comprising representatives from Labour Unions and Trade Union component, plus government officials have been setup to investigate the activities around Ndi Olu microfinance bank and Pension Funds Administration in the State. This committee will report back to the Governor in eight (8) weeks for further action.
Comrade Humphery was joined by the Trade Union Congress Chairman in the State and Leaders of other Labour unions and the NULGE.
