Governor Yahaya Bello has approved the immediate implementation of 30,000 Naira minimum wage for Kogi State workforce with partial consequential adjustment.
The new national minimum wage of N30,000 will be implemented fully for Grade Levels 01 to 06, while the percentage of the ‘Consequential Adjustment’ for Grade Levels 07 to 17 will be partially implemented pending the time the economy of the State improves
The Secretary to the State Government, Folashade Arike Ayoade disclosed this after an extensive meeting with the Organised Labour in Lokoja.
Mrs Ayoade said the delay in the implementation was due to the inability for the committee to meet regularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic which she stressed has been overcome.
She commended the organized labour for thier understanding and patience so far which has resulted into the signing of the implementation of the new minimum wage.
In a remark, the Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja expressed appreciation to the organized labour for their understanding and commitment at reaching the agreement amicably without resorting to strike action.
Onoja said Governor Yahaya Bello is passionate about the welfare of civil servants and would continue to give priority attention to its workforce.
The Head of the State Civil Service, Hannah Odiyo said with signing of the agreement on the new national minimum wage, the committee has completed its work peacefully without recourse to strike action.
Speaking after signing the agreement of implementation of the new national minimum wage, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Onuh Edoka said Kogi State civil servants have been brought to the same level with their counterparts in other states already implementing the new minimum wage.
According to him, the earlier notice of strike served on the state government has been suspended with immediate effect.
Comrade Edoka commended the state government for signing the agreement with the mandate of immediate implementation to give civil servants in the state a new lease of life.
He assured of civil servants commitment to effective productivity of the present administration in all sectors of the economy.
Present at signing of the agreement was the State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Comrade Ranti Ojo; State Chairman (NUJl, Comrade Adeiza Momoh-jimoh; Chairman, NULGE, Tade Adeyemi among others.
The agreement covers the state workforce as well as the local government.
Full Agreement Between Organized Labour and Kogi State Government.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT REACHED BETWEEN KOGISTATE GOVERNMENT AND THE ORGANIZED LABOUR (NLC, TUC AND PSJNC) OVER THE IMPLIMENTATION OF THE NEW NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE AND OTHER WORKERS’ DEMANDS ON 9THFEBRUARY, 2022.
Arising from the series of meetings between Kogi State Government and the Leadership of the Organized Labour to deliberate. of demands, which resulted to the issuance of a 14-Day Ultimatum by the State Public Sector workers with a view to resolving the issues at stake, the following agreements were willingly entered into by both sides: workers’
1. That the New National Minimum Wage of N30,000= will be implemented fully for Grade Levels 01 to 06, while the percentage of the Consequential Adjustment for Grade Levels 07 to 17 will be partially implemented pending the time the economy of the State improves (GL 07: 19.99% out of 23.2%; GL 08: 15.54% out of 20%; GL 09: 13.26 % out of 19%; GL 10: 11.32% out of 16%; GL 12: 9.83% out of 16%; GL 13: 8.82% out of 16%; GL 14: 7.99% out of 16%; GL 15: 5.82% out of 14%; GL 16: 4.71% out of 14%; GL 17: 2.47% out of 14%). It was equally agreed upon that the implementation takes effect immediately. This implementation is without prejudice allowances in all sectors. the existing.
2. That on the issues of cash backing for all promotions, payment of leave bonuses and annual increments, it was also agreed that the Government will compute the financial implications in order to work out modalities for implementation.
3. On the restoration of Trade Union activities in the State-owned Tertiary Institutions, It was resolved that no action would be taken until the determination of the court case instituted by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
4. That in lieu of Non-Implementation of the Consequential Adjustment of the New National Minimum Wage at 100%, it was agreed that the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme and the Health Insurance Scheme be delayed for the next Six (6) months; enable workers to stabilize to financially by off-setting their outstanding loans and for the implementation of the promotions. That immediate implementation of the two schemes will impact negatively on workers’ salary. i.e. financial embarrassment.
5. That the Agreed State Salary Structure for the implementation of the New National Minimum Wage of N30,000- and its Consequential Adjustment covers both State and Local Government workers. Howeyer, for the purpose of resolving the issue f payment of salary, it was further agreed that the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Trade Unions at the Local Government level (NULGE, MHWUN, NUT, NASU and NUP) must initiate further discussions to ensure that the issues are amicably and genuinely resolved.
6. That on the harmonization of pension, it was agreed that Government will work on the financial implication, especially those who retired before 2012 and discuss further with Organized Labour for implementation modalities.
7. In view of the above agreement, no person will be victimised for any role in the course of the industrial dispute that has been amicably resolved.
8. Consequent upon this, the 14 Day ultimatum served on the State Government on the 25th January 2022 is hereby suspended.
9. That this agreement is binding on both parties.
