The Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Anambra recently drew attention to the issue of minimum wage before the media in Awka. In a strong appeal, the NULGE chairman stressed the importance of workers benefiting from the new minimum wage.
The union, represented by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and NULGE, appealed to the governor to adopt the salary scale proposed by the federal government. They expressed dissatisfaction with the local government’s proposal which they said did not reflect the expectations of workers, especially for employees in grades eight to seventeen.
The governor’s argument based on the internal revenue generated by the state is disputed by the union. They say Anambra is doing better than many other states that have already adopted the federal government’s scale. The idea of a discriminatory salary proposal, where the amount received differs from one grade to another, is being strongly criticized. It is pointed out that this discrepancy would lead to a decline in take-home pay as employees advance in their careers.
The NULGE President insisted that all employees operate in the same economic environment, thus stressing the importance of using the Federal Government scale to ensure pay equity. He expressed concerns about the sustainability of workers’ income if the current proposal is maintained.
NULGE called on the governor to protect the collective interest of workers by adopting the Federal Government salary scale. They say the move could be crucial in alleviating the economic hardships facing workers in the country.
In conclusion, it is imperative that steps are taken to ensure fair and just working conditions for all workers in Anambra. By adopting the salary scale recommended by the federal government, Governor Soludo could meet the expectations of workers and ensure their economic well-being.