- To cushion harsh economic impacts
- Demonstrates commitment to worker welfare
The Edo government has paid N70,000 as new minimum wage to workers in the state.
On April 29, Godwin Obaseki, governor of the state, while inaugurating the Labour House announced a new minimum wage of N70,000 for civil servants in Edo.
Subsequently, the governor named the Labour House after Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north and former governor of the state.
In a statement on Sunday, Chris Nehikhare, the commissioner for information and orientation in Edo, said the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage to the workers further demonstrates the commitment of the Obaseki-led administration to the welfare of Edo workers.
“The Edo State Government has paid the May salaries of workers in the state, reflecting the implementation of the N70,000 new minimum wage,” the statement reads.
“This is in fulfillment of the promise made by Governor Godwin Obaseki to increase the minimum wage from N40,000 to N70,000 beginning this May, as part of efforts to cushion the impacts of the harsh economy occasioned by fuel subsidy removal and other economic decisions by the Federal Government.
“It is also in furtherance of the commitment of the state government to meet its statutory obligation even before the end of the month.”
The commissioner urged workers to be dedicated to their duties, contribute effectively to the governor’s administration, and reciprocate the state government’s welfare gesture.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have been agitating for a new minimum wage for workers across states, on the back of economic reforms by the President Bola Tinubu administration.
The removal of subsidy on petrol and unification of the forex windows in 2023 immediately led to food inflation and a spike in the prices of other goods and services.
The national minimum wage has been pegged at N30,000 since April 18, 2019. However, this sum has been described as “grossly inadequate” and “poverty wage” in the face of prevailing economic hardship.