Nigerians React As Bayelsa Approves ₦80,000 Minimum Wage For Local Government Workers

The Bayelsa State Government has formally approved a ₦80,000 minimum wage for local government workers, following persistent advocacy by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The government assured workers that any outstanding pay differentials from November would be included in their December salaries.

This announcement was made by the state’s Acting Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, during a meeting at the Government House in Yenagoa on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by local government chairpersons and representatives from the NLC, TUC, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, among others.

Ewhrudjakpo urged labour unions to submit their calculations for consequential adjustments to harmonize them with the government’s figures, ensuring timely payment alongside December salaries.

He emphasized that the decision to implement the new minimum wage for local government workers resulted from a collaborative agreement between local government chairpersons and other stakeholders.

Regarding pensioners, the acting governor announced a flat ₦10,000 increase in pensions, with the federal government’s recent circular on pension adjustments still under review for possible adoption.

However, Ewhrudjakpo clarified that Bayelsa could not fully implement the federal government’s template for the new minimum wage adjustment due to financial constraints. Unlike the federal government, state and local governments lack access to “ways and means” financing.

He appealed for patience and understanding, stressing that the state’s resources must cater to the entire population, not just civil servants and politicians.

“Firstly, we have agreed that the minimum wage for local governments should be ₦80,000. The challenge lies in the consequential adjustment. The federal government’s rates are higher, and we must adjust to what we can sustain.

“Secondly, the federal government has access to ways and means financing, which states and local governments do not. As we negotiate, we must prioritize the survival of Bayelsa State and its councils.

“Let’s not forget that state and local government resources also fund essential services like healthcare, education, security, and infrastructure. Only about 15% of our income goes to salaries,” he said.

Ewhrudjakpo highlighted the need to balance wage increases with providing vital social services for the broader population.

Comrade Simon Barnabas, the NLC chairman in Bayelsa, lauded the government’s approval of the ₦80,000 minimum wage but urged them to align with the federal government’s consequential adjustment template.

He also called for implementing the ₦32,000 pension increase as outlined in the federal government’s recent circular, emphasizing the importance of uniformity in pension adjustments.