The state and the workers have been at loggerheads over the implementation of the minimum wage.

The government had recently approved the minimum wage to be paid to workers after the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) began a three-day warning strike.

State NLC chairman Uyime Usoro said workers are calling for the review of the salary structure.

Usoro said the salary structure approved by the government was below what workers in other states are collecting.

His words: “Akwa Ibom workers have rejected the salary structure table.

“The salary structure is low compared to what other states are collecting.

“We are calling for immediate review of the table in the interest of the workers.”

The chairman said the union would ensure the salary structure for workers is reviewed by the government.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has accused the government of insensitivity to workers’ plight.

ACN Chairman Amadu Attai said government should not subject workers to untold hardship before paying them.

Attai advised workers to insist on the standard salary structure, saying with the state resources, Akwa Ibom should even pay more.

His words: “Our party will not watch this day light robbery executed by the Peoples Democartic Party (PDP)-led government.

“It is either Akpabio pays the standard salary structure or he resigns.”

But the Special Adviser to the governor on Labour and Productivity, Ime Umoh, said the government would not join issues with ACN.

Umoh said the government had an agreement with the unions and not the party.

Also, the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, said Labour has signed an agreement with the government on the modalities for the payment of the minimum wage.

Umanah said: “I don’t think there is any problem between Labour and the government.

“There is no question of rejection of the salary structure because both Labour and the government agreed on it.

“I am not sure the rejection of the salary structure is coming from Labour.”