The Bayelsa state government has announced that workers at the local government level will be paid N80,000 minimum wage under the unified local government scheme. The resolution was reached at a meeting between the state government, labour leader, and council chairmen. This came after the state government approved the N80,000 minimum wage for workers in the state.
Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the acting governor, stated that the government would also add the differentials that arose from the discussion on the template used for the new wage in November to the December salaries. He then asked the labour to present their computation after the consequential adjustment principle and harmonise it with that of the state.
How Bayelsa agreed to pay N80k minimum wage
Daily Trust reported that all critical stakeholders, including the local government chairmen, unanimously agreed upon the decision to pay the new minimum wage to council workers. On the issue of the federal government circular for the increment of pensioners’ remuneration, the acting governor promised that the government would look into it, adding that it had already approved an N10,000 increase for pensioners across the board.
However, the state government cannot adopt the federal government’s payment template in implementing the new wage to workers, as both do not have the same financial capacity. The acting governor explained that the federal government has ways and means, but state and local governments do not have such powers.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Simon Barnabas, thanked the government for approving the new minimum wage but called on the government to adopt the Federal Government template for the consequential adjustment and approve an N32,000 increment for pensioners as contained in the recent federal circular.
Governor Bago announces new minimum wage
Legit earlier reported that Niger Governor Umaru Bago announced N80,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the state, starting in November.
After a closed-door meeting with labour; the governor announced the development, adding that the new minimum wage was sustainable.
This made Governor Bago become the first governor from the northern region to announce a minimum wage as high as N80,000 for workers in the state.