Governor Hyacinth Alia has approved a minimum wage of ₦75,000 for Benue workers.

Mr Alia, in a statement by his chief press secretary, Tersoo Kula, announced the new wage after he met with organised labour representatives on Monday in Makurdi.

The governor said the new minimum wage would take effect in November 2024.

He stated that the remaining three months of the five-month backlog of salary arrears promised workers would be paid as budgeted in the 2024 budget.

He emphasised that the arrears and the new minimum wage would be paid.

“We decided to set the wage at ₦75,000, fully aware of the other concerns raised by organised labour during the negotiations. These concerns included a minimum wage of N30,000, wage awards, transportation allowances, tax relief, and work-off days, among others.

“Recall that the President had approved the sum of N70,000, which we have decided to exceed, considering the concerns raised by organised labour regarding our ability to pay,” he said.

Mr Alia restated his administration’s commitment to serving the common man and stressed that he would do everything legitimately possible to ensure that Benue workers were properly cared for.

The governor added that his motivation to ensure the arrears were paid was to alleviate the effects of hardship on workers.

(NAN)