Why I Increased Minimum Wage From N30,000 To N40,000 – Obaseki

The Evangelist edition, August 11, 2022.

Edo State governor Godwin Obaseki said he increased the state’s minimum wage from N30,000 to N40,000 due to the harsh economic reality in the country.

Obaseki said the increase as well as payment of the harmonised pension to retirees was to provide succour to workers and pensioners.

He spoke in Benin, the state capital, while addressing the state on his policies.

The governor 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.

Obaseki said as a government, his administration 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”.

He commended workers for the harmonious relationship existing between his government and the state workforce.

The governor had on the celebration of 2022 Workers Day announced the payment of harmonised 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.