Amaechi assures labour leaders on minimum wage

RIVERS State government has assured that his administration will soon commence the payment of the long awaited new minimum wage this October.The assurance to pay the N18,900 followed an agreement reached recently by the state government and the Labour leaders.The Secretary to the State Government, George Feyii who signed the agreement on behalf of the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi said the implementation is in line with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act of 2011.Feyii explained that the minimum wage, which will take effect from October 2011 its arrears would be paid from April 1, 2011 when the Federal Government approved it.He pointed out that the government would pay the arrears from April to September instalmentally over a few months but will not exceed six months with effect from October, 2011 and urged workers to increase their productivity and show more commitment to work.The agreement was signed by the NLC state Chairman, Comrade Chris Oruge, the state TUC Chairman, Chika Onuegbu and the Chairman of Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Emecheta Chuku.Feyii equally notes the determination of the Amaechi led administration to maintain a harmonious industrial working relationship with labour at all times.Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Rivers State, Mr. Chris Oruge described the agreement as a dream come true, adding that the outcome of the success for the implementation was borne out of the high level of maturity exhibited by labour leaders and government in the state.He stated, 'time has past when we bang over hands on the table, the latest method of agreeing with government is through dialogue and that is what has been done today, we have done it before and we will continue to do it again.'Similarly, Chairman of Trade Union Congress TUC in the state, Mr. Chika Onuegbu explained that workers in the state would be encouraged with the current development of the long awaited implementation of minimum wage of eighteen thousand nine hundred naira.Onuegbu thanked workers in the state for their patience and urged them to show appreciation to government by increasing their productivity and commitment to duty.
Click here to read full news..