The Bayelsa State Government has approved a new N80,000 minimum wage for local government staff following pressure from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC). This decision, announced by acting Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, aims to address concerns from labor unions and ensure fair compensation for workers.
During a meeting at the Government House in Yenagoa, Ewhrudjakpo also confirmed that the government would pay the differentials from November’s wage discussions alongside the December salaries. Representatives from NLC, TUC, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, and other unions participated in the meeting.
Ewhrudjakpo explained that while the state cannot fully adopt the federal government’s template for the new minimum wage due to financial constraints, the state remains committed to the welfare of civil servants. He emphasized that Bayelsa is already offering a more competitive wage compared to other states in the South-South region.
The acting governor urged labor unions to present their computations based on the consequential adjustment principle to facilitate the payment of the differentials. He also assured that the state would address the federal government’s pension increase circular, announcing a N10,000 increase for pensioners across the state.
Comrade Simon Barnabas, NLC chairman in Bayelsa, expressed gratitude for the approval but called for the adoption of the federal government’s adjustment template and the N32,000 pensioner increment.
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