Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has increased the minimum wage for workers in the state from N40,000 to N70,000.

Obaseki announced this at the inauguration of the newly built ultra-modern Labour House secretariat complex for labour unions in Benin, the Edo State capital, on Monday, April 29, 2024.

Obaseki named the new Labour House edifice after his predecessor and former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Senator Adams Oshiomhole.

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.

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“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.

“The commissioning of this labour House and the increment in wage are just a token to say thank you to Edo workers for the harmonious industrial relationship my administration has enjoyed in the last seven and half years.

“The achievements we have recorded in the last seven and half years would not have been possible if not for the cordial relationship with the various labour unions in the state.

“The reforms and projects we have carried out in our various institutions were targeted at improving the productivity of our workers in the state.”

The governor, however, urged the state labour unions to use the revenue that would be generated from the building for its maintenance.

Also speaking at the event, the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, commended Obaseki for increasing the minimum wage for workers in Edo State.

“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,” Ajaero said.

The Star