Organised labour in Edo State on Friday demanded an upward review of the N75,000 minimum wage, citing rising inflation and the increasing cost of living as workers marked the 2026 Workers’ Day in Benin City.
State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Bernard Eguakhide and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Joseph James Wasah, made the call in their separate speeches on Friday, May 1, 2026 in Benin City.
Eguakhide said over 70 percent of workers spend most of their income on basic survival.
According to him, “Inflation remains around 28 per cent to 30 per cent, food prices have increased by over 50 per cent, transportation costs have surged by over 50 per cent.
“The result is clear. Workers are getting poorer despite working harder, wages are no longer sufficient to guarantee a decent standard of living .
“Upward review of the minimum wage from N70,000 to N75,000, as the N75, 000 minimum wage can no longer take workers to their work place and back home due to the price increase in petroleum products all over the world today.”
The NLC state chairman also decried the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo’s unfulfilled promise to recruit 3,000 primary school teachers.
He appealed to the governor to pay teachers’ monthly salaries alongside that of core civil servants on or before 25th.
Eguakhide, who described the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Insecurity and Poverty: The Bane of Decent Work’, as apt, noted that it speaks directly to the harsh realities confronting workers in the nation and the world at-large as a result of the war that has affected crude oil prices.
On his part, the state TUC chairman, Joseph Jame Wasah, decried the consequential adjustment of the N75,000 minimum wage implementation by the Edo State Accountant-General.
Wasah while calling for the review of the N75,000 minimum wage, opined that inflation and rising fuel and food costs have already eroded its gains.
He noted that a real living wage is not just survival pay but a foundation of dignity.
“There is an urgent for wage review in 2026. Current earnings no longer meet basic needs due to escalating inflation and widespread suffering . Workers need wages that guarantee life, not mere survival.
“Edo State workers deserve wages that match inflation, immediate cost-of-living support, and long-term policies that restore dignity. We also call for the immediate release of buses to ease transportation difficulties for civil and public servants,” he added.
He also called for immediate relief for Edo State workers from rising costs.
The TUC State chairman called for a “Cost of Living Allowance (COLA)” to be introduced for all workers to cushion the impact of fuel price hikes linked to the Iran crisis.
He posited that without the intervention, workers will continue to sink deeper into hardship.
In his address, Governor Monday Okpebholo said due to the concerns raised by the organized labour on contributory pension scheme, a high-powered committee has been constituted to review and advise him on the complaints.
Okpebholo, represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, reeled out several achievements of the administration over the past one year.
