The Benue State Government on Wednesday approved the N30,000.00 minimum wage for its junior workers.

The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Tony Ijohor SAN disclosed this to journalists after the meeting with the labour leaders in the state.

The SSG said that the implementation of the minimum wage will be for workers between grade level 01 and 06.

Ijohor said for the other categories of workers from grade level  07 to 17, government would look at issue of over bloated allowances and other entitlements which they were enjoying unduly.

The SSG said, “For grade level 01 to level 06, we will implement the minimum wage in line with the Federal Government’s directive.

“But for level 07 and above, that  has to be stepped down until we meet again; until we clean the table.”

The SSG said the implementation for junior workers might start in December

He added, “The labor unions are part of the clean up committee where we will talk about excessive allowances that certain categories of workers are not entitled to. They would have to defend it before the committee. It is going to be a comprehensive exercise. Because many people are retiring and the wage bill cannot remain the same.”

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The state Chairman, Joint Public Service Council Negotiation, Ojotu Ojema,  said the committee  adopted the Federal Government chart, adding that from grade level 07 and above, the government offered them N500 additional for all categories of workers.

“One good thing about labour is that when you give us a statement and you are not living up to expectation, we have an option to call you and remind you and when not satisfied, then we will use our last resort;  that is strike.” Ojema said.