During the workers’ day celebration at Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kalu Square in Owerri, Governor Hope Uzodimma assured Imo State workers that his administration would promptly implement the new minimum wage once the tripartite committee and the federal government reach an agreement on the issue.
He expressed gratitude to the workers for their support since he assumed office in 2020, which led to industrial harmony in the state and his resounding reelection victory across all 27 local government areas.
Governor Uzodimma highlighted several welfare packages for Imo workers, including the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage, timely payment of salaries, free transportation to and from work, a free health insurance scheme with complete payment of premiums, palliative measures to mitigate the effects of fuel subsidy removal, and an increase of the salary to N40,000 for lower cadre workers, among others.
He also mentioned his administration’s initiatives, such as increasing the service period of teachers from 60 to 65 years of age and 35 to 40 years of service, commencing the payment of gratuities to retired workers, and renovating the State Secretariat.
Expressing concern over some workers colluding with corrupt individuals to undermine the government, Governor Uzodimma emphasized his commitment to restoring sanity and trust in government operations.
He mentioned that due to the malpractices discovered, he had temporarily taken over the Ministry of Land to address the situation effectively.
The governor assured workers that his government, in collaboration with the national leadership of the NLC, would prioritize their welfare.
He promised that Imo State would be among the first to implement the new minimum wage once approved by the federal government and the tripartite committee.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Imo State Chapter, Comrade Uche Chigemezu Nwigwe, thanked the governor for his sensitivity to workers’ issues.
He outlined some pressing needs of Imo workers, including the immediate implementation of the financial effects of promotion arrears, the consequential adjustment of salaries based on the approved N30,000 minimum wage for workers from grade levels 08 to 17, and the addition of more buses to the existing fleet of free buses for Imo workers.
He also appealed for the state to be among the first to implement the new national minimum wage once approved.
