The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has approved a new minimum wage of N80,000 for workers in the state and Local Government Areas, starting from October 2024.
This decision was announced after a meeting between the Enugu State Minimum Wage Implementation Committee, chaired by the Head of Service, Kenneth Ugwu, and labour leaders.
Governor Mbah said, “A few weeks ago, I inaugurated a committee to oversee the implementation of the new national minimum wage in Enugu State. Today, I’m happy to announce a new minimum wage for workers, showing our commitment to their welfare.”
He added that the N80,000 minimum wage highlights the state’s focus on improving the living conditions of workers.
He stated, “Our commitment to improved workers’ welfare runs deep and is rooted in the understanding of the link between an inspired workforce and the economic goals we aim to achieve.”
The Chairman of the Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo, praised Governor Mbah for prioritizing workers’ welfare, calling the new wage “a great one for Enugu workers.”
He mentioned that it is rare for such a high wage to be approved, saying, “When other governors were paying N12,000 wage awards, you were paying N25,000. You kept paying it until the new minimum wage was announced today. This is the first of its kind in my 32 years of service.”
The Chairman of the Trade Union Congress in Enugu, Comrade Ben Asogwa, expressed happiness that the new wage also applies to local government workers.
“The governor made sure there is no salary disparity between state and local government workers. We all go to the same market,” he said.
The Chairman of the Association of Local Government Workers in Enugu, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, promised that local governments will fully implement the new wage.
“When you motivate workers, they become more productive. We are committed to ensuring the new wage reaches all local government workers immediately,” he added.
The approval of N80,000 as the new minimum wage marks a significant step towards improving the welfare of Enugu State workers, making them among the best-paid in the country.
