BY PATRICK MGBODO/DINMA BIGWA
Delta State public servants are poised to be among the first in Nigeria to benefit from the new minimum wage starting as early as October 2024, The Pointer has gathered.
This development positions Delta at the forefront of labour reforms, signalling a potential shift in the nationwide discourse on wage improvement and worker welfare.
Speaking to The Pointer, yesterday, the state Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Martin Bolum gave an update on the implementation of the new minimum wage in Delta, following the release of the new salary chart.
‘’The truth is that the chart for the implementation of the new minimum wage got to Delta State the day before yesterday (Wednesday night) and I was the one who circulated it on several platforms.
‘’There is a committee and they are working with the appropriate quarters to work out the financial implication and once they are through, it will be implemented. The Governor is ready to pay the new minimum wage by this October.
‘’It behoves us, the committee, to finish our work early and submit it to him. If it comes out before October salary is prepared, he will pay. The committee is working out the financial implications so that they can send it to the governor who will approve and pay.
‘’The good news is that the governor is ready to pay by October but it depends on those of us who are working it (adjustments) out. The only thing that will make October not feasible is if we are not able to work things out early’’ he said.
Bolum expressed optimism that the committee and other relevant bodies involved in the computations would be able to meet up so that civil servants in the state can begin to benefit from the new Minimum Wage as promised by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had earlier signed the new minimum wage of N70,000 into law, following months of negotiations between the Federal Government, organized labour, private sector and sub-national governments.
Since then, Nigerians, particularly civil servants have been anticipating the implementation of the new wage, even as the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and other essential commodities continue to rise.
