Labour Unions in Rivers State have suspended their planned strike .The suspension came on the heels of a meeting between the government and the unions.The meeting was held at the conference hall of the office of head of service last Friday.
A statement released at the weekend shows that the meeting touched on all the lingering issues. Particularly, “On payment of arrears of minimum wage, it was further resolved that the Labour Unions should produce agreement reached between it and Government on the matter for implementation”
The meeting also resolved “that all deduction namely social services contributory levy, contributory pension and the new personal income tax regime be stopped until agreement is reached between Government and Labour Unions on the issues;
“That a technical committee comprising of representatives of Government and the Labour Unions, be constituted to critically study the issues involved and make recommendations as appropriate;
“on the refusal to pay arrears of 7O% salary relativity, it was agreed that payment of arrears be paid in three installment with effect from November,2012”
Read the details below:
MEETING BETWEEN THE HEAD OF SERVICE, RIVERS STATE AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LABOUR UNIONS HELD ON FRIDAY 9TH NOVEMBER, 2012 IN THE CONFERENCE HALL OF THE OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF SERVICE
RESOLUTIONS
Following the seven (7) days ultimatum issued by the Labour Unions in the State in-respect of the following issues:
1. Illegal Deductions from salaries of public servants for the months of September and October, 2012.
2. 70o/o salary relatively and minimum wage
3. Refusal to stop the Federal Mortgage Bank deductions
4. Request for the removal of the Hon. Commissioner of Finance, Dr. Chamberlin Peterside.
1.The meeting resolved as follows:
(a)That all deduction namely social services contributory levy, contributory pension and the new personal income tax regime be stopped until agreement is reached between Government and Labour Unions on the issues;
(b)That a technical committee comprising of representatives of Government and the Labour Unions, be constituted to critically study the issues involved and make recommendations as appropriate;
(c)on the refusal to pay arrears of 7O% salary relativity, it was agreed that payment of arrears be paid in three installment with effect from November,2012;
(d)On payment of arrears of minimum wage, it was further resolved that the Labour Unions should produce agreement reached between it and Government on the matter for implementation;
(e)On the Federal Mortgage Bank deduction the meeting agreed as follows:
(i)that the representatives of the Bank be invited to a meeting with the Union Leaders and representatives of the Government on the matter;
(ii)that the monies deducted therefrom should be kept in suspense account by the Accountant-General, Rivers State pending the resolution of all issues in connection with the matter.
2. On the removal of the Hon. Commissioner of Finance –Dr.Chamberlin Peterside:
It was resolved that the matter be handled between Labour Union Leaders and His Excellency the Governor.
Signed for and on behalf of:
A.-Government
i. S. T. LongJohn, Esq (HOS)
ii. Sir Ngozi Abu,(AG)
iii. L. O. Ekwueme – PS(SW)
B. Labour Unions
i. Com. Chf. Chris Oruge, pHD (Chairman, NLC, R/S)
ii. Com. Chika Onuegbu, Jp, FCA (Chairman, TUC,
iii. Com. Chuku Emecheta, Jp (Chairman, JNC, R/S)
