The Ebonyi State Government has officially announced an increase in the minimum wage for workers to ₦90,000, a move to cushion the impact of the rising cost of living across the country.
Governor Francis Nwifuru approved the wage hike as part of his administration’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare.
According to the state government, the new minimum wage applies to all state civil servants and is expected to take effect immediately, pending final harmonization with relevant labour unions.
The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebe made the disclosure on Thursday, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state Executive Council, EXCO, meeting.
Omebe explained that the increment was to enhance workers’ welfare, saying that the implementation is with immediate effect and covers all categories of the workforce.
“We want to state categorically that this is not a political statement as this government does not toy with workers’ welfare.
“The government has offset the pensions and gratuities of state retirees from its creation in 1996 till date.
“The verification process for retirees in the Local Government Areas has commenced and when completed, the payment will be made,” he said.
READ ALSO: Gov Uzodimma Increases Minimum Wage To ₦104,000 For Imo Workers
He noted that if the government did not play politics with such huge financial obligations, it will not do so with additional N20,000 to workers.
“The governor is a leader, builder of capacity, human beings and infrastructure.
“The government is anchored on the biblical people’s charter of needs mantra which is leading the people according to their needs,” he said.
Omebe disclosed that the EXCO also considered implementation of the eighth-year tenure policy for directors and immediate retirement of those who have served for the period on the same cadre.
“The EXCO exhaustively deliberated on the issue and approved its implementation for the affected permanent secretaries and directors,” he said.