Abia State government has officially approved a revised minimum wage structure. The decision was made public after a formal agreement was signed between the state government and representatives from labor unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
This agreement, finalized late Tuesday evening, outlines a significant wage increase for civil servants across various grades, with workers on Grade Level (GL) 1, Step 15 now set to earn N80,463 monthly.
At the signing ceremony held at the Government House, Governor Alex Otti, represented by Chief of Staff Pastor Caleb Ajagba, emphasized his administration’s commitment to supporting the workforce.
Under the new wage structure, the base pay for GL 1, Step 1 employees will be N70,000. This minimum wage is set to take full effect by October 2024.
The newly outlined wage scale details the specific earnings across several grade levels and steps, providing clear guidelines for each rank:
GL 1, Step 1: N70,000
GL 1, Step 2: N70,700
GL 1, Step 15: N80,463
GL 10, Step 1: N99,707
GL 10, Step 15: N101,722
GL 17, Step 1: N254,667
GL 17, Step 9: N259,805
In addition to the base wage adjustments, the agreement also includes “consequential adjustments” based on grade levels, with incremental increases distributed as follows: 5% for GL 1-3, 4% for GL 4-6, 3% for GL 7-10, 2% for GL 12-14, and 1% for GL 15-17. These adjustments aim to support equitable wage progression for all civil servants and recognize varying responsibilities across different positions.
Governor Otti assured workers that salary payments would be consistently made on the 28th of each month. He stressed that regular and timely pay would not only boost morale but also enhance productivity among civil servants, ultimately benefiting the state’s economy.
The governor acknowledged the financial challenges inherited from past administrations but assured labor leaders that his administration was dedicated to sustainable, long-term improvements for Abia’s workforce.
