The organised labour in Kogi State has demanded the immediate implementation of N35,000 wage award for workers in the state.

Addressing the May Day rally on Wednesday in Lokoja, the Kogi State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress,  Gabriel Amari, said the current N30,000 national minimum wage fell short of meeting workers’ basic needs in view of the current economic realities.

He cited the March report of the  National Bureau for Statistics indicating that inflation in the country had climbed up to 33.4 per cent.

“We advocate the immediate implementation of the N35,000 Wage award as directed by the Federal government. This adjustment is not only fair but also urgent, given the rising costs of goods and services, which continuously erode the purchasing power of Workers.

“Until the long-awaited negotiations for a new minimum wage are concluded and put into effect, the wage award would serve as a temporary relief for workers grappling with the current economic hardships,” Amari said.

He urged the Kogi State government to align itself with other states that had complied with President Bola Tinubu’s directive for the payment of wage awards to workers across the country.

“By doing so, Kogi would demonstrate its commitment to the welfare and well-being of its workforce,” the NLC chairman said.

[Punch]