Obaseki increases minimum wage to N40,000
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki yesterday increased the minimum wage to N40,000.
Hundreds of suffering pensioners in the state, in black attire, with placards bearing various inscriptions, yesterday protested at the Workers’ Day rally at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, disclosing that since their retirement in 2012, they were yet to be paid their gratuities.
One of the protesting pensioners, Irene Aiguobarueghian, said life had become unbearable for the retirees, urging Obaseki to specially consider their plight.
“Government is aware of the difficulties faced by the pensioners, due to the non-payment of pensions and gratuities to them by the previous government. This responsibility is huge, and it will require substantial part of our resources to settle them.
“We are not a government that is known for running away from challenges. We will look for a way to tackle this challenge.”
Obasaeki said: “As we all know, the minimum wage of N30,000 can barely sustain a family. It will be immoral and mindless of us to continue to pretend that we do not know that our workers are suffering.
“Even though, we would have loved to pay more, we hope that this little adjustment would enable the workers to cushion the effects of inflation being faced.
“There is no doubt that the financial implication of the increase in minimum wage will be heavy and put another burden on Edo government, but as a government, we are prepared to make the sacrifices, so that the workers can live a better life. Your welfare is our number one priority.”
THE NATIONS
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