20 states begin payment of minimum wage to workers

Not less than 20 states have either started paying the new minimum wage or will commence payment from this week, The Nation has gathered.

After negotiations by the government, the Organised Private Sector and the Labour Centres, the minimum wage was raised from N30,000 to N70,000.

The negotiations, spanning many weeks, produced an agreement on July 18.

The Bill giving effect to the agreement passed by the National Assembly was signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on July 29.

A committee on consequential adjustment constituted by the Federal Government submitted its report last month, providing guidelines for employers of labour.

The committee was chaired by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) Mrs Esther Walson-Jack.

The Federal Government has commenced payment.

Following negotiations at the sub-national level with labour leaders, states started announcing the new minimum wage.

Many states are paying higher than the Federal Government.

The highest so far – N85,000 – is being paid by Lagos and Rivers states.

Bayelsa, Niger, Enugu and Akwa Ibom states are following closely with N80,000.

The surge in the Federation Account allocation to states after the withdrawal of petrol subsidy put them in better financial shape.

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Since June last year, federal, state and local governments have received an average of N1.1tr monthly from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

What the states have agreed to pay or already paying are as follows: Abia N70,000, Adamawa N70,000, Anambra N70,000, Jigawa N70,000, Borno N70,000, Ebonyi N75,000, Edo N70,000, Delta N77,000, Gombe N71,000, Ogun N77,000, Kebbi N75,000, Ondo N73,000, Kogi N72,000 and Kwara N70,000.

Deputy Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Mr. Tommy Okon said any governor that was yet to agree on the new minimum wage by now is “insensitive to the plight of workers”.

Okon said with increased revenue, governors have no excuse not to pay the new minimum wage.

Bayelsa
Spokesperson of Bayelsa State Governor Daniel Alabrah said Governor Duoye Diri, aside from approving N80,000 new minimum wage, has consented to better pay for pensioners with effect from November 1.

He added in a statement that Diri okayed the release of N7 billion to reduce outstanding gratuity liabilities.

Ebonyi
During a Holy Mass in the Government House Chapel, Abakaliki yesterday, Governor Francis Nwifuru told the worshippers that his administration would pay N75,000.

Nwifuru, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor, said the decision followed a careful review of the current economic situation, especially as it affects the workforce.

According to the governor, those in grade levels 3 and above will get an increment of N40,000 monthly.

Abia
Abia State Information Commissioner Okey Kanu said after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting that the implementation of N70,000 minimum wage would begin this month.

Kanu explained that the implementation underscores the Alex Oti-led government’s commitment to improving the welfare of workers

“The state government is committed to the minimum wage, and within the next few days, payment of the new minimum wage will commence.

“If the governor wants to deviate from the national standard and pay higher, so be it,” the commissioner said.

Enugu
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah announced the N80,000 minimum wage when he received the report of the committee set up to look into the issue.

The governor added that the move is hinged on his administration’s belief that labour is a creator of wealth and if well taken care of, will grow wealth.

Anambra
Anambra state is sticking to paying the workers N70,000 naira as minimum wage.

But Governor Chukwuma Soludo said if he allows deductions like Union dues, tax and other things, the workers might be receiving between 78,000 to 84,000 every month

However, he said he decided not to announce the figure because it would still come down to the same 70,000

He assured that the least paid worker in Anambra State is to go home with nothing less than N70,000.

Soludo met with the labour leaders in the state at the governor’s lodge at Amawbia at the weekend.

He said: “We approved the proposal by organised labour to ensure that the minimum take-home for a worker (after all deductions, including tax and Union dues) is at least N70,000 per month (the gross salary could range from N78,000 to N84,000).”

Osun
In Osun State, the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee chaired by the Chief of Staff to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Kazeem Akinleye, slated another meeting for tomorrow with labour leaders to deliberate on consequential adjustments ahead of the approval.

Benue
Benue State is yet to finalise discussions with Labour on the minimum wage.

It was learnt that the committee will submit its report this week on a suitable figure.