Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, has approved a new minimum wage of N104,000 for civil servants in the state, a significant increase from the previous N76,000.
The announcement, made during a meeting with labor union leaders, comes as part of the governor's efforts to improve workers' welfare and boost the local economy.
In addition to the general minimum wage increase, the governor also announced substantial pay hikes for specific sectors. The minimum wage for doctors was raised from N215,000 to N503,000, while that of tertiary institution teachers was increased from N119,000 to N222,000.
Governor Uzodimma attributed the wage increases to a rise in the state's Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which he said has grown from N400 million to over N3 billion monthly. He also noted that federal allocations have increased from N5-7 billion to N14 billion, providing the financial leverage for these new commitments.
The governor stressed the importance of a cordial relationship with organized labor, stating, "When workers are paid well, productivity rises, families are happier, and the local economy grows." He also announced that the state will begin paying the final N16 billion gratuity owed to pensioners, a move welcomed by the labor unions.
Speaking on behalf of the workers, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Uchechigemezu Nwigwe, hailed the increase as a "victory for the entire work force in the state." He thanked Governor Uzodimma for rescuing workers from economic challenges and making Imo one of the states with the highest minimum wage.
