Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo has announced an increased in the minimum wage for workers in the state from N40,000 to N70,000.

The governor made the announcement at the inauguration of the newly built Labour House secretariat complex for labour unions in the state.

The building is located along Temboga Road, Ikpoba-Hill, Benin City, the state capital.

Obaseki named the Labour House after Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north and immediate-past governor of the state.

Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), had demanded N615,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the country.

The labour unions’ agreement was after President Bola Tinubu, through Vice President Kashim Shettima, on January 30, set up a 37-member panel at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja.

With its membership cutting across federal and state governments, the private sector, and organised labour, the panel was tasked with recommending a new national minimum wage.

At the inaugural meeting of the panel, Shettima urged members to ‘speedily’ arrive at a resolution, and submit their reports early as the current N30,000 minimum wage expired at the end of March 2024.