Workers’ Day: A’Ibom workers demand new minimum wage

Etim Ekpimah

Workers in Akwa Ibom State have demanded an increase in minimum wage, saying the N80,000 minimum wage they are currently being paid is meaningless owing to the high inflation rate in the country.

The workers, in their thousands, said the minimum wage introduced last year can no longer sustain them and their families, hence the call for a fresh minimum wage.

Speaking on Thursday in Uyo during the 2025 Workers’ Day, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) chairman, Mr Sunny James, however, praised Governor Umo Eno, for taking care of the workers in the state.

According to him, Eno gave the workers’ health, housing, created a bulk purchase agency, even food, yet they still needed to demand an upward review of the minimum wage as the N80,000 becomes inadequate.

“Your Excellency, if you have given us health, housing, a bulk purchase agency and, therefore, distribute food; what again do we need to ask from you? Your Excellency, I ask that you increase the minimum wage again.

“Inflation has affected the minimum wage, and we shall be willing to negotiate the new one with you at your earliest convenience as you invite us,” James said.

He commended the governor for refunding the 7.5 contributory pension scheme owed to workers. James revealed that in 2007, in Akwa Ibom State, there were workers’ deductions called pension refund or pension contributory, which the House of Assembly considered unnecessary as it lacked legislative action. The House, therefore, asked that the money be refunded to workers.

Governor Umo Eno, celebrated the workers for the collaboration they had received from the organised labour in the state.

He noted that, in the course of their electioneering in 2023, he had assured the organised labour that if elected, his government would deepen its collaboration and continue to put the welfare of workers at the centre of its engagement.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Akon Eyakenyi, thanked the various speakers for confirming and attesting to what Eno’s administration has done since coming into power. “We have excelled well and remained poised to do more to the extent of the resources available in addressing the needs of our workers.

“Thank God, today the NLC chairman is the man who has awarded the score, and we have A+, that is 80 and above,” the governor said.

He noted that the theme of this year’s rally, “Reclaiming the Civic Space amid Economic Hardship,” is thought-provoking.

“Permit me to say that here in Akwa Ibom State because of the collaboration we have enjoyed with the organised labour to prioritisation of the welfare of the workers, the conscious and intentional approach we had deployed in dealing with the concerns than issues of our public sector workers, the civic space is continuously being reclaimed. Though the general economic outlook is tough and workers have experienced a little hardship, there is, however, a civic lining in the sky.

“Remain hopeful that if we stay, soon the horizon will be steadier and more predictable. Since we came on board almost two years ago, as the various speakers have emphasised, we have prioritised the welfare of our workers, and this has met with the recent awards given to me by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), 2024. I want to express again my appreciation to the congress for the recognition, and today the state council of the TUC have also honoured me with an honour me with award and to this I want to say I am grateful. Thank you.

“We have, as I had promised, over N60 billion, part of the N98bn backlog we inherited since 2012, have been paid. This is a huge achievement, which we have recorded for nearly two years. We raised the minimum wage to N80,000, one of the highest in the nation and have since commenced the payment of this new salary scale. The 13-month salary, generally popularly known as a number, remains in effect. One hundred and fifty units of two-bedroom flats were donated to workers, as acknowledged by your chairman,” Eno said.

He stated that last year they released N1 billion as a bonus for workers to mark the public service week, as well as a wardrobe allowance to teachers.

The governor also approved the recruitment of 100 occupational safety officers and to employment of 600 medical personnel.

He said: “Approval had been given for the recruitment of 100 occupational safety officers and had equally created a separate department of Occupational Safety; 600 medical personnel are to be recruited into civil service.

“We have also appointed over 20 permanent secretaries and provided them with brand new Sport Utility Vehicles to enable them to carry out their functions seamlessly.

“We have enrolled over 10,000 in the state medical insurance scheme; the Arise care as well as the recognition of the best performing staff across the MDA with N1 million appreciation largess. Let me correct at this point that the insurance scheme is N18,000 per person and not N80,000.”