Edo approves implementation of 15 per cent pay rise for workers

Uchechukwu Olisah, Benin City - 02.05.2008

The Edo State gover-nor, Professor Oserheimen Osun-bor, on Thursday said the government had decided to implement the 15 per cent increase in the salaries of workers in the state with effect from July 1.

Governor Osunbor disclosed this in his address on the occasion of the 2008 May Day celebration, which took place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the state capital.

He said his administration decided to implement the wage increase after a series of consultations with the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

According to the governor, the state government appreciated the role of the trade unions, especially the JNC, in ensuring industrial harmony in the state.

“The industrial harmony that exists in the state has been an impetus to the state government in fulfilling its election promises to the workers and, indeed, to the good people of Edo State,” he said.

Osunbor expressed the belief that a well motivated workforce held the key to turning the public service around for the achievement of the laudable people-oriented programmes of his administration.

“The record speaks for itself. As part of our determination to enhance workers welfare, this administration, in its first month in office, implemented the new minimum wage which brought the total take home pay of the least paid worker in the state to N9,040 per month,” he said.