The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Sunday, announced the upward review of the state workers’ minimum wage from N30,000 to N40,000 in commemoration of the 2022 Workers’ Day.
Obaseki made the announcement in Benin while delivering his 2022 Workers’ Day speech at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
Obaseki, who stated that his government was the first to take this initiative after the COVID-19 pandemic, said, “As we all know, the minimum of N30,000 can barely sustain a family. It will be immoral and mindless of us to continue to pretend that we do not know that our workers are suffering.”
“The government of Edo has now decided to review the minimum (wage) for Edo workers from N30,000 to N40,000 a month. Undoubtedly, Edo is the first state since the current outbreak of coronavirus to take this initiative.
Obaseki, who said his government would have loved to pay more, noted that “we hope that this little adjustment would enable us to cushion the impact of the inflation that we are faced with. There is no doubt that the financial implications will be heavy and put another burden on the government.
“But as a government, we are prepared to make the sacrifices so that the workers can live a better life. Your welfare is our number one priority.”
The governor reiterated the minimum wage review in a series of tweets on his Twitter page, @GovernorObaseki.
He tweeted, “I announced that we have reviewed the minimum wage for Edo workers from N30,000 to N40,000 a month. Although we would have loved to pay more, we hope that this little adjustment will enable us to cushion the impact of the inflation that we are faced with.
“To our workers; your welfare is our number one priority. As a government, we are prepared to make the sacrifices, so that our workers can live a better life. Happy Workers’ Day.”
Meanwhile, some pensioners in the state who retired in 2012 stormed the venue of the event protesting the non-payment of their gratuities.
The pensioners, who wore black attires and carried placards, appealed to Obaseki to rescue them by paying their gratuities.
