After series of energy sapping negotiation and burst ups between the Cross River State Government and the organized labour in the state over the new minimum wage, the two parties have finally settled for a minimum wage of N70,000.
The approval of the new minimum wage was conveyed in a circular from the office of the state Head of Service, Oboi Eteng dated December 2, 2024, but made public on Thursday December 5, 2024.
The circular titled: “Head of service circular No.6/2024: Approval of the new minimum wage read: “Following the successful conclusion of negotiations between the government of Cross River State and labour (NLC, TUC &SPSNC), I hereby convey the approval of His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State for the implementation of the payment of a new minimum wage of N70,000 only to workers on grade levels 01 and consequential adjustment on salary grade levels 02- 17.
” The effective date for the implementation of the new minimum wage and consequential adjustment shall be 1 December, 2024″
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The circular was jointly signed by the head of service, accountant general of the state, solicitor general of the state, permanent secretary ministry of finance, state chairman of the NLC, TUC and other members of the wage negotiating committee.
With the approval of N70,000, Cross River and Edo States have become the only two states in the South South that are not paying above the N70,000 bench mark approved by the federal government.
Rivers is paying highest with N85,000, followed by Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States with N80,000 each and Delta State with N77,500.
