Governor Siminalayi Fubara has approved a new minimum wage for civil servants in Rivers State, setting it at ₦85,000. The announcement followed a closed-door meeting on Friday with representatives from organized labor under the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
Implementation and Payment of Arrears
The Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, confirmed that the new minimum wage will be implemented starting November 2024. Nwaeke further assured that the state government would also address potential arrears of the new wage, with plans to establish a technical committee to develop a feasible payment schedule.
In his remarks, Nwaeke expressed satisfaction with the wage increase, stating, “Rivers State Civil Servants have never had it this good since the inception of this State.”
Organized Labor’s Praise for the New Wage
Emecheta Chuku, the Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, commended the state government for the wage approval. He noted that this was the first meeting held on the new minimum wage, highlighting the government’s goodwill towards workers despite ongoing economic challenges. Chuku assured civil servants that the state would honor its commitment to pay the new wage on time, dismissing concerns about the promise being an empty gesture.
Rivers State Surpasses Lagos in Minimum Wage
Comrade Alex Agwanwor, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers State Chapter, highlighted the significance of the new wage, emphasizing that Rivers State now matches Lagos with the highest minimum wage for civil servants in Nigeria.
He pointed out the difference in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) between the two states, underscoring the importance of Rivers State’s decision to match Lagos’s wage rate. “For the Governor to agree to pay the same rate as Lagos, that means we are at the top of it,” Agwanwor said.
A Champion of Labor Rights
Agwanwor also praised Governor Fubara for his continued commitment to the welfare of workers in Rivers State. He reaffirmed labor’s support for the governor, saying, “We assure him that, as far as this State is concerned, labor is going to stand with him. We will be with him even until the next eight years.”
He added that the governor had once again proven himself as the “Champion of Labor,” a title he earned on May Day for being the most labor-friendly governor in Nigeria.
Conclusion
Rivers State’s new ₦85,000 minimum wage has been lauded by labor leaders, who see it as a bold and progressive move in support of civil servants. With implementation set for November, expectations are high that the new wage will significantly improve the livelihoods of workers in the state.
