Commissioner for Finance, Ebonyi State, Prof Ogbonnaya Chukwu, has explained the table increment in workers salaries as the state begins payment of new minimum wage in January 2020.
Upon signing of an agreement on the new minimum wage table to be used to pay workers salaries on Monday night, by Ebonyi State government and the Organised Labour, the commissioner for Finance gave a break down of the increment.
He said both sides agreed that Civil Servants from grade level one to six will get a consequential increment of 59 percent.
Civil servants on grade level seven will get 39 percent increment while those on grade level 8 will get 16.5 percent.
Workers from grade level 9 to 14 are to get upward salary adjustment of 10 percent while those on level 15 to 17 will get 8 percent adjustment.
Meanwhile, the state government and labour agreed that there will not be any arrears paid to the workers as the state does not have the financial ability to do so.
The agreement came after two months of negotiations between the Joint Negotiating Council and the State Government on the new minimum wage especially on consequently increment table to be used.
However, with the signing of the new minimum wage salary table at the Executive Council Chambers, the state government is now poised to begin implementation from January next year.
Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council (Labour’s Side), Patrick Onyekwe, said the table was agreed upon by both sides without any imposition.
The state Governor, David Umahi thanked Labour for the peaceful way the issue was resolved.
He reiterated the commitment of his administration to partner with Labour to move the state forward.
He further urged the Organised Labour to join hands with government to shore up the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state so as to be able to meet the responsibilities to the workers.
The state Head of Service, Commissioner for Local Government and 13 Local Government Chairmen signed for goverment while the Chairman and Secretary of the Joint Negotiating Council signed on behalf of the Organised Labour in the state.
