John Nwaigwe
ABIA RUBBER COMPANY WORKERS CRY OUT OVER 15 YEARS OF UNDERPAYMENT, DEMAND IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW MINIMUM WAGE
Workers of the Abia Rubber Company have decried years of neglect, underpayment, and non-payment of entitlements, saying they can no longer keep quiet over the hardship they have endured.
In a letter dated 22nd July, 2026, addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Umuahia, through the Director of Agriculture, the Nigeria Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees, Abia Rubber Company Branch, outlined several grievances and resolutions reached during a meeting on Thursday, 2nd July, 2026 at Amaeke Abam.
According to the union, workers of Abia Rubber Company, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Agriculture, have suffered a serious downgrade over the past 15 years. No worker has been promoted, and salaries are still being calculated based on the 2011 Approved Minimum Wage.
The union stated that while other workers in Abia State are paid the current approved minimum wage, Abia Rubber workers are earning just 25% of it. It cited the example of a Level 4, Step 15 officer who receives N26,000 monthly as take-home pay, compared to counterparts in the state civil service who earn about N98,000.
The union also revealed that the company owes workers, including some deceased and very sick staff, over N104 million in arrears of salaries, leave allowances, and retirement benefits dating back to 2008.
It added that workers are not pensionable and do not benefit from any social security programme from the state.
Part of the resolutions reached include:
1. Immediate implementation of the 2025 Abia State New Minimum Wage as approval by His Excellency, Governor Dr. Alex Otti.
2. Payment of the over N104 million arrears owed to workers.
3. Issuance of a 21-day ultimatum to management, effective 30th July 2026. The union warned that failure to act may lead workers to shut down the estates, noting that they have waited long and can no longer endure further delay.
The workers further called on the Abia State Government to urgently intervene to alleviate their suffering, stressing that the current situation is inhuman and unacceptable.
