Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue has approved a minimum wage of ₦75,000 for workers in the state.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, the governor announced the new wage following a meeting with organised labour representatives on Monday in Makurdi.
Governor Alia confirmed that the new minimum wage would take effect in November 2024.
He also stated that the remaining three months of the five-month backlog of salary arrears promised to workers would be paid as per the provisions in the 2024 budget.
He emphasised that the arrears would be paid alongside the new minimum wage.
“We have decided to set the wage at ₦75,000, fully aware of the other concerns raised by organised labour during the negotiations. These concerns included a minimum wage of ₦30,000, wage awards, transportation allowances, tax relief, and work-off days, among others,” he said.
“Recall that the President had approved ₦70,000, which we have chosen to exceed, considering the concerns raised by organised labour regarding our capacity to pay,” he added.
Governor Alia reiterated his administration’s commitment to serving the common man and stressed that he would do everything legally possible to ensure that Benue workers were properly taken care of.
He concluded by stating that his motivation for ensuring the arrears were paid was to alleviate the effects of hardship on workers. (NAN)