Hope Uzodinma, the Imo State Governor has approved a new monthly minimum wage of ₦104,000 for workers in the state.
This significant increase aims to improve the living standards of civil servants and boost the state’s economy.
The announcement was made during a meeting with labor union leaders and top government officials at the Government House.
It was reported that the minimum wage was increased from N76,000 to N104,000. The wage for doctors was also increased from N215,000 to N503,000, while that of teachers in Tertiary institutions was increased from N119,000 to N222,000.
The governor emphasized that the decision was a testament to his administration’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of its workforce.
He said Imo citizens had faced numerous challenges since his government took office, including insecurity, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic hardship from reform policies, and disputes over minimum wage and subsidy removal.
“We tried as a government to always put it behind our mind that there is no way any government will do well if it doesn’t have a friendly and cordial relationship with the organized labor,” Uzodinma said,
“When workers are paid well, productivity rises, families are happier, and the local economy grows.”
The new wage is expected to take effect immediately, though specific details regarding its implementation and payment schedule are still being worked out.
The governor further said that the state government will, on Aug. 27, begin payment of the last batch of gratuity of N16 billion owed to pensioners in the state.
He said his administration had carried out major reforms in the health sector, including initiating a health insurance scheme and equipping health facilities to ensure world-class treatment for Imo citizens.
He also said his government had keyed into the Federal Government project of establishing 1,000 businesses in every active INEC ward.
He charged labour unions to unite to foster good working relations between labour and government.
This move comes after months of negotiations between the government and various labor organizations. Union leaders have lauded the governor’s decision, calling it a landmark achievement that will help workers cope with the current economic challenges, including the high cost of living.
