During the 2023 May Day celebration themed "Workers' rights and socio-economic justice," which was held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Governor Godwin Obaseki revealed that the Federal Government may not be able to continue paying workers' salaries beyond June 2023, unless it engages in the massive printing of money or the elimination of fuel subsidies.

The governor assured the workers of his administration's commitment to upholding reforms and initiatives aimed at enhancing the welfare of workers and improving the standard of living for the people of Edo State. He urged workers across the country to move away from the traditional practice of responding to policies only after they have been implemented, and instead to hold governments accountable for their policies and programs.

According to Obaseki, it is highly unlikely that the Federal and state governments will be able to pay salaries beyond June 2023 without resorting to printing more money or eliminating fuel subsidies, both of which will further exacerbate the difficulties and suffering experienced by Nigerians, particularly workers. To ensure that the burden of these measures is not borne solely by the workers, Obaseki urged them to lead the discussions on the removal of subsidies and refrain from merely reacting to policies after they have been implemented. He called for greater transparency and disclosure to ensure that any reform undertaken benefits all Nigerians, rather than just those who are disadvantaged.

Obaseki restated his administration's dedication to the well-being of workers in Edo State, emphasizing that they are currently the highest paid in the country. Last year, during the same event where he announced a minimum wage increase to N40,000, he anticipated that other state governments and the Federal Government would promptly follow suit, but it has taken them a year, which he finds surprising.

In addition, Obaseki mentioned that his government is committed to investing in infrastructure that would provide workers in Edo State with a contemporary, well-equipped, and dignified workplace to enhance their productivity and service delivery to the people. The government is also laying fiber optic cables throughout all local governments to ensure that government offices have access to the internet. He highlighted that the John Odigie Oyegun Service Academy is the best in Africa and is being effectively utilized every day to train workers, making them the best in the continent.