Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has assured
workers in the state that a joint-committee would be set up to accelerate the
implementation of the newly approved N30,000 minimum wage in the state.
The governor disclosed this at the University of
Benin Sports Complex in Benin-city during a rally to mark the 2019 May Day
celebration with the Theme: ‘Another 100 years of struggle for jobs, dignity
and social justice in Nigeria’.
He said: "You were in the Government House in
October, and I promised that Edo will be one of the first states to implement
the new minimum wage if signed into law. Now that the president has assented to
the bill passed by the National Assembly, Edo State Government is happy to
commence the implementation of the new minimum wage."
Obaseki noted that the state government would set
up a joint committee for the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage, as the
state awaits further guidelines for the payment from the National Salary and
Wages Commission.
He said his administration was ready to pay above
the N30,000 minimum wage as soon as the state revenue increases, noting that
"if we can improve on our revenue, I will increase our minimum wage. We
should make sure we commit ourselves to higher productivity."
The governor assured the workers on plans to
harmonise pension based on the new minimum wage, as payment of backlog of
pension and gratuity arrears is underway.
Speaking at the event also, Chairman of the state chapter
of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Sunday Osayande, congratulated workers on
the celebration, noting that "we commend our governor for creating the
atmosphere for investors to contribute to our development as jobs have been
created in the state by the Obaseki-led administration.
"We also commend Obaseki for the
infrastructural development in the state especially on the construction of
roads. Thank you also for the prompt payment of workers' salaries and payment
of pension arrears, as pensioners are now smiling today."
While commending the governor for the construction
of a befitting Labour House, Osayande said: "Obaseki has turned the
narrative around by constructing a befitting Labour House for Edo State workers
which is at 80 per cent completion level ready for inauguration."
In his remark, Chairman of the state chapter of the
Trade Union Congress (TUC), Marshall Ohue, expressed appreciation to the governor
for making the state suitable for businesses to thrive through positive
economic policies.
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