The Ogun state government south west Nigeria has approved the sum of N77,000 as the minimum wage for the lowest worker in the state, and the payment takes immediate effect.
This decision was revealed after a meeting of the State Government led by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, and the leadership of the Organised Labour in the State, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), to discuss the implementation of the new minimum wage.
Talabi said the meeting was at the instance of Governor Dapo Abiodun, who he stated has directed that no worker in the state should earn less than N77,000 starting from the month of October.
According to the Secretary to the State Government , the new wage is to further ameliorate the suffering of the people, explaining that the governor has also advised the organised private sector to take a cue from the policy, as their workers are not exempt from the economic realities in the country.
Monitoring team
Talabi also noted that the governor has therefore advised that the private sector should dialogue with their relevant stakeholders to arrive at a commensurate minimum wage for the sector while he will set up a monitoring team to see how it is implemented by the private sector to ensure no one is short-changed.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Hameed Benco, said the organized labour in the state is very pleased with the Governor having approved the N77,000 in consultation with labour leaders, which today is the highest in the country.
Benco noted that some states that have implemented the new minimum wage are paying N70,000, while some pay N70,250 or less, adding that the other sectorial salaries will be effected accordingly.
Graciously approved
He also mentioned that the government has graciously approved the submission of labour that the new basic salary should not be taxed.
Similarly the TUC and the JNC chairmen, commended the government for being worker-friendly, while they noted that consequential adjustments for pensioners and other matters will be announced after due consultation with the relevant stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, said the approval of the generous minimum wage for workers underscores the responsiveness and sensitivity of the Governor and the government to the plight of the workers and the general populace of the state.
Onasanya expressed optimism that the gestures by the government would further boost the morale of the workers in committing themselves to the implementation of the government’s policies.
Lateefah Ibrahim
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