No Full Pay For Imo Workers

.Govt, Labour Agree 30% Salary Cut For January.

  Political Appointees, Lawmakers, Others Affected

 BY GRACE IGWEANYI

The Imo State Government and Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC (Imo State chapter) have agreed to slash workers salaries for the month of January 2016 by 30%. 

The workers will be paid 70% of their monthly wage.

This is also applicable to every person in the State that draws salary from the public treasury including politicians, civil servants, lawmakers, etc

The reason for the salary cut is to make reservation for pensioners.

NLC Imo State Chairman, Austin Chilakpu told newsmen in Owerri that the 70% of the gross revenue for the month of January 2016 is N3, 373,826,736.67.

Chilakpu said based on the fact that verified wage bill and pension for the month stood at N5.3 billion naria, the 18 man Joint Committee comprising the State government and Labour is saddled with a differential of about N1.9 billion.

He explained that the committee have, in the application of the N3, 373, 826, 736,67 to the settlement of salary and pension due to the workers and pensioners, decided to pay salary earners in the State 70% of their salary across board.

He made it clear that organized labour was not in any way spearheading a downward review of workers salary in Imo State but only doing what is necessary with available resources.

Chilakpu stated that Labour is hopeful of paying up the balances when the revenue of the State improves, adding that Labour in the State will assist the State government to prevent cases of ghost workers collecting salaries.

According to him, Labour will soon play a key role in aiding in improving the internal revenue of the State by constituting a committee of financial experts to aid salary payment.

Speaking to journalists, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical Matters, Barr.Ikenna Emeh who heads the State government team in the Joint Negotiating Committee said what is being paid to workers now is what is available, stating that the committee has no right to borrow money since it is an ad hoc committee.

He said its mandate is clear-m which is to apply 70% of its share to the payment of salaries. He revealed that the salary cut cuts across board- civil servants, lawmakers, politicians etc.

Emeh claimed that the State Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) has increased from N215 million to N400 million in the last month.