Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki made a significant announcement during the commissioning of the new Labour House in Edo State on Monday. He revealed the approval of a new minimum wage of N70,000 for civil servants in the state, effective May 1st, 2024.
This decision comes at a crucial time as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is engaged in a battle with the Federal Government regarding the necessity to increase the minimum wage to align with the escalating national inflation and food inflation rates. The latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicates a rise in inflation to 33.2% in March 2024, up from 31.70% in February. Food inflation also surged to 31.7% in March, compared to 30% in February.
The NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had been advocating for a new minimum wage of N615,000 for workers across the country. This demand emerged after President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, established a 37-member panel on January 30 to address the wage issue. The panel, comprising representatives from federal and state governments, the private sector, and organized labor, was tasked with proposing a new national minimum wage.
During the panel’s inaugural meeting, Shettima emphasized the urgency of reaching a speedy resolution and submitting reports promptly, especially since the current N30,000 minimum wage expired at the end of March 2024. Governor Obaseki’s approval of the N70,000 minimum wage for Edo State civil servants underscores a proactive approach to address the challenges posed by inflation and economic conditions.
