MINIMUM WAGE: CRS TUC demands payment of outstanding balance
Emmanuel Alfred
The Trade Union Congress (TUC), in Cross River has asked for the full implementation of the Federal Government’s minimum wage by the State Government.
The TUC State Chapter Chairman, Mr Monday Ogbodum, decried the long delay by the State Government to implement the Federal Government’s approval of N30,000 as minimum wage to workers in 2019.
He described the situation as disheartening as the State Government had continually cited economic challenges as the excuse not to implement the scheme.
“The issue here is the yet-to-be-released balance of N100 million from the N250 million as negotiated and agreed upon by Stakeholders, including the Government.
We had agreed that Grade Level 01 to Grade Level 06 workers would enjoy the full minimum wage while Grade Levels 07 to Grade Level 17 workers would have percentage increases, depending on their grade levels.
“While Grade Level 07 workers would have 10 per cent increase, Grade Levels 08 and 09 would have 9 per cent and 8 per cent increases, respectively. It’s been almost three years after and we are yet to get this balance.
“This administration is the most favoured since the country’s return to democracy in 1999. It has gotten more money than any government since 2019,’’ he said.
Reacting to the demand, the Government said it was not undermining workers’ patience and understanding, but that the economy was still hazy, hence, its inability to release the balance of N100 million.
