ANAMBRA WORKERS DEMAND IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE ACROSS BOARD
Reporter : BEN ILECHUKWU
The organised labor in Anambra State has called for speedy implementation of the national minimum wage across board in the state.
They made the call during an event to mark the 2021 Workers Day at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square Awka.
May 1, each year is celebrated as International Labour Day also known as International Workers or Labour Day.
The Day is to celebrate workers worldwide and their contributions, and to pay tributes to those who lost their lives in the historic 1886 Haymarket riots.
However ,the 2021 Workers Day was celebrated in a low key in Anambra State.
Speaking during the event, the State Chairman Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Jerry Nnubia, enumerated some challenges faced by workers.
They include non- implementation of the National Minimum wage, scrapping of the contributory pension scheme, the need for reform in the health sector and the extension of service period for primary and secondary school teachers in the state.
Also, the state Trade Union Congress Chairman, Comrade Ifeanyi Okechukwu, called on the state government to look into the high cost of electricity consumption charges, excessive fuel price and the improvement on workers welfare.
In the same vein, a member of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Tony Ubakama while pouring encomium on the Governor Willie Obiano for prompt payment of workers salaries, called for improved welfare package of workers due to the effect of COVID-19 pandemic.
For his part, the state Chairman, Radio Television and Theatre Art Workers Union (RATTAWU), Comrade Andy Onwuaru, noted that the 2021 celebration was a low keyed due to logistics challenges.
Responding, Governor Willie Obiano, who was represented by the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke, assured workers that his adminstration was still committed to the welfare of workers and encouraged them to remain patriotic in the discharge of their duties.
He thanked workers for their support to the present administration.
Other respondents expressed their displeasure with the long delay in the implementation of the new National minimum wage.