Labour Suspends Planned Strike …As RSG Agrees To Pay Salary Arrears, Nov

The Rivers State Government, has said that arrears of the 70 per cent salary relativity owed workers will be paid this month.

This was part of the agreement government entered with labour unions in the state following the recent threat by the unions to embark on an indefinite strike as a result of recent deductions from workers’ salaries.

Labour unions in the state had given government a seven-day ultimatum over the deductions and other issues or they would resort to strike action, scheduled to have begun today.

Following the agreement last Friday, the labour unions have suspended the planned strike action.

The Rivers State Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Comrade Emecheta Chuku, made this known to newsmen shortly after signing the agreement in the office of the Head of Service in Port Harcourt.

The agreement, which was preceded by an extensive meeting between government and labour leaders, was signed by the Head of Service, Barr. Samuel LongJohn, the Accountant-General, Sir Ngozi Abu and the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare, Mr Lambert Ekwueme, on the part of government while the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Chris Oruge, the state chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Chika Onuegbu and the State chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Comrade Emecheta Chuku signed for the labour unions.

The agreement stated that all deductions in respect of the Social Welfare levy, the Contributory Pension Scheme and the new Personal Income Tax regime be stopped until all issues on the mode of implementation were resolved while a technical committee comprising government and labour unions be constituted to critically study the issues involved and make appropriate recommendations.

On the issue of deductions, by the Federal Mortgage Bank in respect of the National Housing Fund (NHF), it was agreed that representatives of the Bank be invited to meet with the labour leaders and representatives of government to explain the modus operandi of the scheme while the monies deducted be kept in suspense by the Accountant-General pending the resolution of the issues raised by the labour unions.

At the meeting preceding the signing of the agreement, the Head of Service, Barrister Samuel LongJohn stressed the need for dialogue in resolving issues so as to create a harmonious relationship between government and workers.

He called for adequate sensitisation on issues relating to deductions and the welfare of workers, pointing out that if all parties were well informed of the implications of the various laws on the social development levy, the contributory pension scheme and the new regime, the situation would not have degenerated, and advised all parties to adopt a new approach in handling affairs concerning workers’ welfare.

On his part, the state Accountant-General, Sir Ngozi Abu explained the various deductions made from workers salaries, began in August with the social welfare levy, saying, it was deducted since the effective date was September, 2010.

He said the deductions were for eight months each in August and September while the remaining three months were to be made in October but was stopped due to the directive by the state Governor, pointing out that the deductions made in October salaries were those of the contributory pension scheme and the new tax regime.

The Accountant-General explained that in the new tax regime, all allowances are taxed, which is in contrast to the old tax regime only the basic salary, noting that the law did not emanate from the state but from the Federal Government.

He agreed with labour that errors had been made in the implementation of the laws as deductions were made from workers who are excluded from such deductions, promising that government would make refunds to affected persons when all issues are resolved.

Others who spoke include the chairman of NLC, Comrade Chris Oruge, chairman of TUC, Comrade Chika Onuegbu and the chairman of JPSNC, Comrade Emecheta Chuku, all of whom expressed reservations with the method of implementation of the various laws, and called for stoppage and refund of all monies erroneously deducted.

Also in attendance were the chairman of the State Pensions Board, Mrs Edna Alikor, the secretary, Mr Loveday Imeah the Permanent Secretary, Establishment Bureau, representative of the Board of Internal Revenue and chairmen and secretaries of unions making up the NLC and TUC.

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (right), in a handshake with Rev Fr Stephen Dedua, at the 2012 Annual Thanksgiving Service of St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, Elechi Beach, Port Harcourt, yesterday. With them are the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree (2nd left) and Hon Golden Chioma.