The Delta State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has confirmed that civil servants and retirees in the state will not be receiving arrears of the new minimum wage, as the state government has implemented the new wage structure effectively and on time. According to the NLC’s local chairman, Comrade Goodluck Ofobrukwu, the agreed-upon date for the new minimum wage implementation in Delta State was set for October 1, 2024, eliminating the need for any back payments.
In a recent telephone interview with The Nation, Ofobrukwu elaborated that the state government’s commitment to implementing the new wage structure on October 1 aligns with the timeline they agreed upon. As a result, there are no arrears for either active civil servants or retirees. The minimum wage increase also extends to pensioners, who began receiving their revised payments from October 1. “The Federal Government circular is with effect from 29th July, 2024. In Delta State, we agreed that the effective date should be 1st October, 2024, so there is no question of arrears. And we have been paid,” Ofobrukwu stated.
He also clarified that while some states are opting for different implementation dates, Delta’s approach aligns with both the federal guidelines and state agreements, ensuring timely and orderly payment of the new minimum wage without retroactive adjustments. The newly adjusted N32,000 for pensioners, stipulated by the Federal Government, has been included in the October payroll, marking a clear commitment by Delta State to support its retirees under the new wage policy.