Obaseki announces N70,000 minimum wage for workers

• Commissions new NLC/TUC secretariat

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has increased the minimum wage for Edo workers from N40,000 to N70,000 effective from May 1, 2024.

Obaseki disclosed this while delivering his speech at the commissioning of Edo State Labour House Complex, a new building to serve as the Secretariat of the labour unions in the state.

The building, located at Temboga, Ikpoba Hill, in Benin City, is named after a former governor of the state and former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Adams Oshiomhole.

The governor said: “As a result of the cordial relationship between the state government and labour unions, we have enjoyed peace and industrial harmony in the state. Despite our efforts to make life better for workers, there are forces beyond our control, as we don’t control the national economy. As a result, our workers are still languishing in pain and penury.

“I give you insurance, improved conditions of service, pay you and promote you on time, but the truth is that because of the economic situation in Nigeria today, our workers continue to be challenged; devaluation, high food prices and inflation have made nonsense of the N40, 000 we are paying you.

“We would have expected that by now there should have been a direction as to what minimum wage will be for workers in Nigeria.

“We don’t know when that will happen. But as a state, we would need to do what we need to do. For us in Edo State, we have decided to move the minimum wage from N40, 000 to N70,000 effective from May 1, 2024. I think like a capitalist and not a comrade. In my May Day speech, I will give more details on our new minimum wage. If the Federal Government imposes something higher, we would make the necessary adjustments.”

In his speech, the Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, commended the governor’s commitment to the welfare of Edo workers, noting some of his achievements to include fully digitalising the state civil service, prompt payment of salaries, highest minimum wage in Nigeria, payment of 13th-month salary, life insurance for Edo workers, health insurance for workers, automatic employment for first-class citizens of Edo State, regular promotion for Edo workers, among others.

Also, the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo said that the building is the best labour edifice, saying: “The achievements of the governor are not contestable.”

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Edo NLC, Odion Olaye, thanked the governor for his magnanimity, friendliness and concern towards Edo workers.