Labour Union Decries Wage Disparity in Abia State University
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has expressed displeasure over what he described as the selective implementation of the new minimum wage at Abia State University, Uturu.
According to Ajaero, the institution failed to apply the 2024 minimum wage across all staff levels, leaving out non-teaching staff on salary levels seven to fifteen. He explained that only teaching and non-teaching staff on levels one to six benefited from the wage adjustment.
He made this observation during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, in Umuahia on Wednesday.
Ajaero Questions Fairness in Wage Implementation
The NLC president stated, “Permit me to point out that the minimum wage (of 2024) promised and paid to Abia workers was denied to Abia State University on levels seven to fifteen of non-teaching staff, while levels one to six teaching staff and non-teaching staff benefited.”
Ajaero explained that the visit to the governor was motivated by issues he described as “at a conscience level,” which required direct dialogue between labour and government. He added that the NLC had earlier written to the governor and other state leaders to address certain unresolved labour concerns.
He said, “Basically, while we were here, there happened to be issues at a conscience level, for which we wrote a letter to the governor and other governors in the country. And he was one of the few who responded and gave us a closed date. This is the first official receipt we have paid to any government house in the Southeast since we came abroad.”
NLC Pushes for Improved Welfare and Industrial Harmony
Ajaero further explained that the NLC’s criticism was not meant to undermine the government but to encourage better governance and improved welfare systems for workers in Abia and across Nigeria.
He said, “We do our own criticism to enable any government that is concerned to do more. The issue of minimum wage to cohorts, the health sector, buses, secretariat, check-off dues, and Teachers’ Salary Structure (TSS) to teachers, among others, is of paramount importance to us.”
He lamented that in some institutions, even after arrears were paid, check-off dues were still not implemented, questioning the transparency of the process.
“The question is, what is happening? Where is our money going? So, we are not afraid — the best thing is to have a first-hand discussion with the governor so that we can manage it very well,” Ajaero stated.
Labour Commends Otti’s Progress but Urges Reflection on Workers’ Welfare
The NLC leader commended the achievements of Governor Otti’s administration in infrastructure and governance but urged that the progress should also reflect in the living standards of workers.
He noted, “Definitely, things have improved in Abia. I think that Abia is not doing badly, and it should reflect on the workers.”
Ajaero also called attention to the absence of Abia State workers from the NLC’s regular capacity-building schools. “We normally have NLC schools where we train workers half-time and two times a year. For some time now, we have observed that people are not coming from Abia. I think we should look into it,” he said.
Governor Otti Reaffirms Commitment to Labour-Friendly Policies
In his response, Governor Alex Otti reaffirmed his administration’s strong relationship with labour unions and reiterated that his government prioritises the welfare of its workforce.
He said, “For us, our relationship with Labour has been very cordial, and we all work for the same purpose. Because at the end of the day, government is about the welfare of the people, and who are the people? The people who work.”
The governor revealed that the state recently recruited 5,394 new teachers to strengthen the education sector and was in the process of hiring 771 health professionals to boost the healthcare system.
Otti noted, “Interestingly, the minimum wage for teachers is higher than the ordinary minimum wage. As we speak, we are hiring about 771 medical professionals to deploy to our hospitals.”
Otti Clears 16 Years of Outstanding Benefits
The governor further disclosed that his administration has started paying 16 years of outstanding death benefits owed to the next of kin of deceased Abia workers, alongside pension arrears left by previous administrations.
He added that these efforts were part of his government’s plan to restore confidence and dignity to the state’s civil service system.
Okay News reports that the discussion between the NLC and the governor reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen industrial relations and ensure equitable wage distribution in Abia State’s public institutions.
