The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has commended the Imo and Ebonyi governments for increasing the minimum wage.

The director-general of NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, commended the governments in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.

Mr Oyerinde said that the increase showed recognition of the value of workers.

He said that increased allocation to states from the federation account might have facilitated the state governments’ decision.

“We commend the action of the governments in addressing the dwindling purchasing power of workers.

“We hope that other states will follow the same path in the days ahead. This action demonstrates the responsiveness of the government to the welfare of the workers,” Mr Oyerinde said.

Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo approved a new minimum wage of N104,000 for the state civil servants.

Mr Uzodimma made this known during a meeting with labour union leaders in the state on Tuesday night at the Government House, Owerri.

He increased the minimum wage from N76,000 to N104,000.

Also, the Ebonyi government announced an increase in the minimum wage of its civil servants from N70,000 to N90,000.

The state commissioner for information and orientation, Ikeuwa Omebe, made the disclosure on Thursday, while briefing journalists on the outcome of the state’s Executive Council Meeting.

(NAN)