Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has restated his administration’s commitment to implementing the N70,000 new minimum wage for workers in the state.
The governor, who spoke while reacting to the nationwide call by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the non-implementation of the new wage in some states, said the payment would commence this month.
He said the new wage has been included in the budget, and the government has also entered into an agreement with organized labour on its implementation.
Addressing newsmen in Ikere Ekiti, governor Oyebanji said, “I cannot distinguish what they meant because in Ekiti state, we have signed an agreement with the labour. Implementation and payment of the new wage will commence on December 1 this year.
“We couldn’t commence because it was not budgeted for. I have just signed the appropriation budget for the new minimum wage, so we will start paying by December.
“I don’t understand what NLC meant by the statement that the states that have not commenced payment, because payment is not automatic, you have to budget for it.
“So, we were talking but didn’t reach an agreement. We arrived at a deal two weeks ago and had paid our November salary by then. I know that NLC is a reasonable organisation, and Ekiti states that NLC leadership is reasonable, too. They know what to do.
“We have signed the minimum wage with them and will commence payment by December”.
Speaking exclusively with the LEADERSHIP in Ado Ekiti on the issue, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters, Comrade Olukayode Fatomiluyi, said labour would not take strike action in the state.