Ekiti, labour agree on N70,000 minimum wage

Ekiti State Government and labour leaders yesterday signed the N70,000 new minimum wages to signal the commencement of implementation with Consequential benefits for Workers in the State Civil Service and Local Government.

The 13-member committee on Negotiation of the Minimum Wage was set up by Governor Oyebanji in early September after the signing of the National Minimum Wage into law by President Bola Tinubu.

The State Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi signed on behalf of the government, while the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Kolapo Olatunde, his counterpart from the Trade Union Congress, Mr Sola Adigun, the Joint Negotiating Council, JNC- Femi Ajoloko, signed on behalf of the workers.

Dr Olomojobi explained that the 13-member Committee had met for some months, negotiated, and ruminated before arriving at the new salary structure; the outcomes according to her had received the consent of the Governor.

She noted the minimum wage approved by the Ekiti State Government was significant compared with other states because it accommodates consequential adjustments across all categories of workers at state and local government service while Pensioners were not left out of the increment.

Olomojobi commended workers for their endurance and dexterity as well as trust in the present administration thus far and charged them to be optimal in their workplaces as a way of reciprocating the good gestures from the government.

Responding, the labour leaders, said the Minimum Wage table approved by Ekiti state Government was one of the best in the southwestern states, saying all categories of workers across various Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Parastatals, and those in the local government service would benefit on the wage increase

They thanked Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his approach to Workers’ demands and called on the workers to reciprocate the gesture by redoubling their efforts for the actualization of the government’s programmes for the state.

The NLC Chairman said: “The Local Government workers were 100 percent carried along. My joy knew no bounds when I saw that the pensioners would be given consequential adjustments in their pay. The government should make sure that the implementation of the new minimum wage starts this November. That is our prayer.”

The TUC Chairman, Adigun said: “This is one of the best minimum wage negotiations. You can see all of us labour leaders smiling. I just want to plead with my colleagues that the best way to reciprocate is not to compare ourselves with Lagos State. So the best way to reciprocate is to give our best.”