Minimum Wage: Breaking The Graveyard Silence In C'River
It's no longer news that after a series of anxieties arising from prolonged negotiations, and rhetorical warfare between the federal government and organised labour, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu-led administration finally adopted a new minimum wage of N70,000 for the economically emasculated workforce in the country
Following the consensus on the issue between the two parties, an executive bill, forwarded by the Presidency to the National Assembly was accorded an accelerated hearing, culminating in quick passage and subsequent assent by Mr President.
Since the new minimum wage became a law, many state governments have commenced moves by way of floating committees to fashion out modalities for payment, while others have invited organised labour seeking robust synergy to streamline payment procedures for subsequent implementation.
Interestingly, a few states like Edo, Lagos, Benue, etc preemptively, had commenced payment of N70,000 and above as the new minimum wage to their workers before the conclusion of the perennial tussles between the federal government and labour resulted in the new benchmarks for wages in Nigeria.
However, despite ongoing actions from most state governors to this issue uppermost on the minds of workers across the country, given the excruciating economic crunch, there's no clear beacon pinpointing to the direction of the Governor Bassey Otu's administration on the matter.
Palpable graveyard silence has enveloped the government circle in the state as aides of the Governor saddled with the task of outlining government peculiar policies, programmes, and policy direction on cardinal issues of utmost importance have all opted to remain mute, apparently unsure of the Principal's stance on the burning issue.
On the other hand, the scanty workforce still on the state payroll unfettered by the mass exodus triggered by retirements are now discussing in hoarse tunes, wondering about the fate looming over them given the antecedents of past elected governors in implementing new minimum wage since the return of democracy in 1999.
From the N7500 under Obasanjo's Presidency, to N18.000 enacted by Goodluck Jonathan, and then the N30.000 endorsed by President Buhari, Cross River workers have consistently emerged as the least paid civil/public servants in Nigeria from the various minimum wage imbroglio.
Apart, the hasty announcement and implementation of N40.000 as a minimum wage for Cross River workers in May, even in the face of ongoing negotiation on the subject at the national level, calls for serious concerns bordering on the intention or otherwise of such a clandestine move.
In light of the above scenarios, it is incumbent on Governor Bassey Otu to carve a niche for himself leveraging his legendary humane posture driven by passion by changing the narratives set by his predecessors.
Moreover, given the empirical truth that the word of the King is his bond, Otu should remember his earlier assurances to the state workers that whatever amount the government team, of which he was a prominent member, agreed upon with organised labour, his government would ensure seamless implementation for improved service delivery and cordial labor relationship.
Based on his known penchant for the welfare of his constituents of which the state civil service, comprising at least a member of virtually every household in Cross River is a prominent one, we expect Sweet Prince to live up to his People's First Agenda with regards to the new minimum wage.
We call on Sweet Prince to break the ice, clear mounting doubts, and mute doubting Thomases that indeed, Cross River state workers are in for a Season of Sweetness.
