Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Edo State, Hon Henry Duke Tenebe has showered encomiums on the state governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki for setting a standard for the federal government on minimum wage.
Recall that the Edo State government recently raised the minimum wage of her civil servants from N40,000 to N70,000, a significant increase in the face of the spiralling inflation which has impacted negatively on the take-home pay of the average worker in recent times.
Hon Tenebe commended the governor for raising the bar on the minimum wage at a time other states have found it extremely difficult to pay the N35,000 wage award announced by the federal government late last year in the heat of the pressure from organized labour
Tenebe recalled how Edo State, under Gov Obaseki, sets the pace four years ago, going beyond the token N30,000 minimum wage approved by the federal government and decided to pay its workers N40,000, an action he said is making the state to live up to its billing as the heartbeat of the country
The PDP chieftain urged the state workers to redouble their efforts and productivity as a way of showing gratitude
He is optimistic that the state government will be able to pay the new minimum wage of N70,000 as at when due in the same way he succeeded with the payment of N40,000.00 minimum wage
Regarding the recent wage rise, Chief Tenebe said Gov Obaseki would not drop the ball, stressing Edo workers have enjoyed a lot under the Obaseki’s administration and hoped the incoming PDP administration of Bar. Asue Ighodalo would build on these legacies by prioritizing workers’ welfare .
He similarly urged the people of the state to rally round with all the necessary support for him to finish well in addition to handing over to the PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo who majority of the people in the state are convinced that has the capacity and the ability to preside over the affairs of the state.
The labour and business leaders in the state has hailed the action of the state governor and described him as one of the most “worker-friendly” governors in the country who is not afraid to fight for the betterment of the state workers .