BREAKING: Celebration erupts as top gov approves N74k new minimum wage

• Benue governor Hyacinth Alia has approved a new minimum wage of N75,000 for workers in the state
• Alia's spokesperson, Tersoo Kula, said the agreement was sealed at a meeting between the state government and the labour leader in Makurdi on Monday, November 18
• According to Kula, the announcement dismissed the rumour that the governor was planning to pay N40,000 new minimum wage, which was earlier debunked by the labour union and government

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue state has made a significant move to improve the lives of workers in the state by approving a minimum wage of N75,000, exceeding the president's approved sum of N70,000. This decision was made after a meeting with members of the organized Labour at the State Secretariat in Makurdi on Monday, November 18.

According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, the governor has also promised to pay the remaining three months of the five-month backlog of arrears inherited by his administration. This payment will be made alongside the new minimum wage, effective November 2024, as budgeted in the 2024 budget.

Benue Governor Alia approves N75,000 minimum wage Photo Credit: @HyacinthAlia
Source: Twitter

The governor's aide says this move is expected to alleviate the hardships on state workers, who have been struggling to make ends meet. The governor's motivation is to ensure that workers are properly taken care of, demonstrating his commitment to serving the common man.

Why Gov Alia approves N75,000 new minimum wage

Kula further notes that the new minimum wage of N75,000 takes into account the concerns raised by organized labour during negotiations, including wage awards, transportation allowances, tax relief, and work-off days. By exceeding the president's approved sum, the governor has shown that he is willing to listen to workers' needs and take concrete steps to address them.

This decision is a significant departure from earlier rumours that the state planned to pay a minimum wage of N40,000, which were debunked by the Benue State Government and the Nigerian Labour Congress.

According to Kula, the governor's commitment to paying the arrears and implementing the new minimum wage is a breath of fresh air for workers in Benue state. It demonstrates his administration's focus on improving workers' welfare and addressing the state's economic challenges. As the governor emphasized, his government is committed to serving the common man, and this decision is a step in the right direction.

Source: Legit.ng