The Delta State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Chief Goodluck Ofobruku, has announced that workers in the state should expect the new minimum wage to be implemented starting from their October 2024 salaries.
Chief Ofobruku made this statement during an interview with journalists in Asaba. He explained that after negotiations and several meetings, the Labour Union and the State Government agreed that the state has the staff strength and financial capacity to pay the new minimum wage.
“We have resolved that implementation should start with the October 2024 salaries, so workers should expect to get the new minimum wage in their October 2024 pay,” said Chief Ofobruku. He emphasized that the state’s finances are adequate and comfortable for implementing the new wage structure.
Addressing concerns about alleged salary reductions, the labour leader clarified that any deductions from workers’ salaries are statutory, such as contributions to pensions, health insurance, taxes, and the National Housing Fund. He assured that these are standard deductions and not cuts in salary.
Chief Ofobruku also stressed that the NLC’s main role is to ensure that workers receive their entitlements, and the state government has committed to this, beginning with the October 2024 salaries.
He added that the new minimum wage policy applies to all employers in the country. With Delta State’s adoption, all employers in the state, both public and private, are now required to implement the new wage structure. To enforce this, the labour union has set up a task force that will take action once the public sector workers receive their new wages.
“If the private sector fails to implement the new minimum wage, those organizations will be declared a trade dispute, and the NLC will take necessary action,” Chief Ofobruku warned. However, he noted that their immediate focus is on ensuring the public sector leads the way in this implementation.
Chief Ofobruku’s remarks indicate a step forward in the welfare of Delta State workers, with the new minimum wage expected to be reflected in October’s salary payments.
