The governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has commenced payment of the new minimum wage of ₦70,000 to workers in the state.
News About Nigeria reports that the development comes after Governor Obaseki announced the increase in the minimum wage from ₦40,000 to ₦70,000 during the recent inauguration of the Labour House in Benin City, the state capital.
According to a statement released on Sunday by the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, the state government has paid the May salaries to workers, reflecting the implementation of the new minimum wage.
Nehikhare said the payment of the ₦70,000 minimum wage demonstrates the Obaseki-led administration’s commitment to the welfare of Edo workers.
The commissioner urged workers to reciprocate the gesture by the state government by being committed to their duties and contributing effectively to ensure the governor’s administration ends on a good note.
He stated, “The Edo State Government has paid the May salaries of workers in the state, reflecting the implementation of the ₦70,000 new minimum wage. This is in fulfilment of the promise made by Governor Godwin Obaseki to increase the minimum wage from ₦40,000 to ₦70,000 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.”
Nehikhare added that the payment of the new minimum wage is also in furtherance of the state government’s commitment to meeting its statutory obligations even before the end of the month.
It should be recalled that the organised labour recently rejected the N57,000 minimum wage offer presented by the federal government.
The tripartite committee on the new minimum wage is set to meet on Tuesday, May 28, after recent deliberations ended in a stalemate.
