Nobody is talking about N30,000 minimum wage in Enugu again - Ben Asogwa

According to the report, in a recent development, the Enugu State Labour has addressed an apparent discrepancy regarding the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage in the state. The Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Chris Onyeka, had previously mentioned Enugu State as one of the states that had not yet implemented the minimum wage, as mandated by the Minimum Wage Act of 2019.

Enugu was listed alongside other states such as Abia, Bayelsa, Delta, Nasarawa, Gombe, Adamawa, Niger, Sokoto, Imo, Anambra, Taraba, Benue, and Zamfara. However, the State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Comrade Ben Asogwa, has come forward to clarify this statement regarding Enugu State.

According to Asogwa, the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage and its consequential adjustments began in February 2020 for state workers, with a 25% consequential adjustment for local government workers and primary school teachers. Upon assuming office, Governor Peter Mbah approved full implementation for local government workers and primary school teachers. Additionally, the administration has been providing monthly wage awards of N10,000 to local government workers and primary school teachers, and N25,000 to all categories of state workers since December 2023 to alleviate economic challenges until a new minimum wage negotiation is concluded.

Furthermore, Governor Mbah recently sanctioned the 100% Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for Nurses, Midwives, and members of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals in the state. Asogwa emphasized that discussions around the N30,000 minimum wage in Enugu are no longer relevant, as they await the outcome of negotiations for a new minimum wage, which the governor has pledged to adopt once finalized at the federal level.

"Asogwa reiterated the governor's commitment to the welfare of workers, stating, "Governor Mbah is fully dedicated to the well-being of our workforce."