The Cross River State Government has approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 for civil servants, effective December 1, 2024. This decision includes consequential adjustments across all workforce cadres, marking a significant win for labour unions in the state.

Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Monday Ogbodum, confirmed the development, stating that an agreement was signed after extensive meetings between the state government and labour representatives.

“This agreement was reached considering the peculiarity of the state. It is a positive step forward,” Ogbodum noted.

The approval follows a warning strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and TUC in Cross River on November 25 and 26, demanding implementation of the federal government’s directive.

The move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s signing of the new minimum wage bill into law on July 29, which raised the benchmark from N30,000 to N70,000. The NLC had earlier set a November 30 deadline for all states to comply, threatening indefinite strikes in non-compliant states.

Labour unions in Cross River will hold a congress to determine further actions following this milestone.