Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has made a landmark decision by approving a new minimum wage of N70,000 for civil servants in the state.
The announcement, made during the commissioning of the new Labour House in Edo State, signals a significant step towards improving the welfare of workers.
Effective from May 1st, 2024, the new minimum wage demonstrates Governor Obaseki’s commitment to prioritizing the well-being of civil servants and ensuring their financial stability in the face of economic challenges.
The timing of this announcement coincides with ongoing debates and negotiations between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Federal Government regarding a nationwide increase in the minimum wage.
As national inflation rates continue to soar, reaching 33.2 per cent in March 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the urgency to address workers’ financial concerns becomes increasingly apparent.
The NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have advocated for a minimum wage of N615,000 to align with the rising cost of living and inflationary pressures.
These discussions were initiated following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to establish a 37-member panel, comprising representatives from federal and state governments, the private sector, and organized labor, tasked with recommending a new national minimum wage.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who presided over the inaugural meeting of the panel, emphasized the need for swift action, considering that the current N30,000 minimum wage expired at the end of March 2024.
Governor Obaseki’s proactive approach to addressing the welfare of civil servants in Edo State serves as a model for other states and reinforces the importance of prioritizing workers’ rights and financial security in the face of economic uncertainty.
As Edo State sets a new standard with its revised minimum wage, the spotlight remains on the collective efforts to achieve fair and equitable compensation for workers across Nigeria.