Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has said he increased minimum wage from N30,000 to N40,000 due to the harsh economic reality in the country.
He said the increased minimum wage as well as payment of the harmonized pension to retirees was to provide succour to workers and pensioners.
Obaseki said this in Benin, the state capital, while speaking on his policies.
He said the state government remains committed to the welfare of workers and would sustain policies and programmes that can deliver quality service to Edo people.
“I want to assure workers in the state that, as a government, we feel their pains. We know that things are tough and wish we had more resources as a state government for our people.
“The N40, 000 minimum wage we introduced was because of the pain our people are facing. This was not when dollar was N700; it was when the dollar was still N400. So, you can imagine how the hardship of workers has progressed or is progressing.
He said as a government they will join the people to do everything possible to ensure that we get those who are in charge and responsible for managing this country at the national level to stop this pain.
Obaseki however commended workers for the harmonious relationship existing between his government and the state workers.
Recall that governor Obaseki had on 2022 Workers Day announced the payment of harmonized pension to retirees in the state after 21 years, as well as the increment of the minimum wage in the state from N30,000 to N40,000.
