Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has officially approved the payment of eighty-five thousand naira (N85,000.00) as the new minimum wage for the state’s civil servants. This significant increase reflects the government's commitment to improving the welfare of its workforce and ensuring that employees receive a fair compensation in light of the current economic climate.
The new wage is intended to provide a more sustainable income for employees, helping them to cope with rising living costs and inflationary pressures. This adjustment aims to enhance the standard of living for workers and their families, thereby contributing to overall economic stability within the state.
The decision to implement the new minimum wage was reached following a significant meeting between Governor Fubara and representatives of the Organised Labor in the state. This meeting took place at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday and was marked by an atmosphere of collaboration and mutual respect.
During the discussions, both parties engaged in constructive dialogue regarding the economic conditions affecting workers and the need for a wage adjustment to better support the workforce. The governor emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges faced by civil servants and acknowledged the essential services they provide to the state and its citizens.
The new minimum wage will take effect on November 2024, allowing civil servants to begin planning for their financial future under the new pay structure. As you may know, the Federal Government and the Organized Labour had agreed on N70,000 as the new minimum wage, but Rivers State has taken a step further to provide additional support for its workers.
Gistreel reports that the Lagos state government also announced N85,000 as the new minimum wage for Lagos civil servants. The state’s governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, gave the cheering news while appearing on an interview programme on Channels Television on Wednesday evening, indicating a trend among various state governments to enhance the financial conditions of their workers amidst ongoing economic challenges.