The Chairman of the National Public Service Joint Negotiation Council, Abia State, Comrade Chris Okoro has reaffirmed that Abia State pays the highest salary in South East.
This was made known in a discussion with the host Mr C in Open Parliament in Love FM on Tuesday.
He confirmed the salary structure and also stated that the government has started paying its workers with the minimum wage as mandated by the Federal Government.
He said, “There are clarification and adjustment in the minimum wage, some workers felt that what it meant was to add #30,000 on top of the salary which they already earn.”
“It is never like that. On adjustment, it is the percentage giving by the Federal Government that was looked at and used. For people feeling disappointed by what they expected it to be, we are on the right track and did what we are supposed to do. I never grant interviews to people, this is the first time. Abia State pays more than every other state in the South East. I’ve called my colleagues in Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi cannot be mentioned because they have nothing. Imo State has not concluded theirs up till now and doesn’t know where they are going on theirs. This is not a claim, it is an issue that you can be proven or tabled out so Abia pays the highest in the whole of South East.”
When asked when and how he got the index, Okoro said, ” it was from those that have already concluded their minimum wage.”
Recall that it has been a growing point of discussion on States why salaries are delayed by the government and the growing sensation over the implementation of the new minimum wage.
Corps members have confirmed receiving their new allowance and other States has joined in paying workers with it.