Civil servants in Edo State may soon begin to enjoy a new minimum wage of N70,000 per month.
The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, announced on Monday (today) that his administration has increased the minimum wage for workers in the state from N40,000 to N70,000.
Obaseki made the announcement at the inauguration of the newly built ultra-modern Labour House secretariat complex for labour unions in the state, along Temboga Road, Ikpoba-Hill, Benin City.
The announcement is coming days before this year’s Workers’ Day on May 1.
Obaseki also promised to further increase the minimum wage to over N70,000, depending on what the Federal Government would approve as the new minimum wage for workers in Nigeria.
He said, “Edo is currently paying the highest minimum wage of N40,000 in Nigeria. But we know that even the N40,000 can no longer take workers home because of the poor economic situation being experienced in the country.
“So, as a government, we will continue to support the agitation for increment in workers’ salaries.
“In solidarity with workers, effective from May, 1, we have increased Edo workers’ minimum wage from N40,000 to N70,000 and we will move it up further depending on what the Federal government would approve,” he said.
The keynote speaker, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), commended Gov. Obaseki for the increment in minimum wage in the state.
Ajaero said, “NLC and the federal government have not agreed on what should be the new minimum wage for workers, but Edo has taken the lead. It shows that the governor is labour friendly and has empathy for workers.”
