The Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), Comrade Bernard Joman Egwekhide, has commended the state Governor, Monday Okpebholo for his bold step to motivate workers with the approval of 13th Month Salary. He revealed that the immediate past governor of the state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki never implemented the N70,000 minimum wage.
“You see, what the former governor did was a parting gift to workers. He never implemented it(N70,000 minimum wage),” Comrade Joman revealed.
Comrade Joma said Governor Okpebholo’s approach to issues since his inauguration as Governor of the state in less than one month in office has demonstrated that Edo State is truly rising again.
Governor Okpebholo has graciously approved the payment of the “13th month” salary for workers few days ago. The Governor also approved the policy of automatic employment for First Class graduates of Edo extraction from any university in Nigeria and abroad into the State civil service to boost the quality of manpower in the system.
He said the Graduate Development Programme (GDP) is to ensure that quality manpower is brought into the system for effective and efficient service delivery that will enhance growth and development. The NLC Chairman said the Governor is doing this to serve as motivation for workers as they are ready to put in their best for maximum delivery.
Comrade Bernard Joman Egwekhide on behalf of Edo State workers appealed to the Governor to fully implement the N70,000 minimum wage just like his colleagues in other states.
According to Joman, Obaseki never implemented the N70,000 minimum wage. Rather, he told the leaders of organized labour in the state that “he knows that even if he approves, he will not be there in office again to implement it. So, we, the organized labour, we are appealing to our Governor, Monday Okpebholo to fully implement the N70,000 minimum wage for us.”
