Zamfara: Labour Unions Issue 14-Day Ultimatum Over Minimum Wage Implementation

The Zamfara State chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have given the state government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve irregularities in the implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage.

The ultimatum was issued on Wednesday in Gusau during a press conference held after an emergency meeting of the unions’ leadership.

The State NLC Chairman, Alhaji Sani Halliru, described the discrepancies noticed in the implementation of the N70,000 in March salaries as unfortunate.

“It is necessary to call this news conference because we are disappointed with the state government’s attitude towards the implementation of N70,000 minimum wage.

“The state government had earlier formed a committee for the implementation of the minimum wage and promised to implement it in March this year,” Halliru said.

He noted that the March salary was paid yesterday and unfortunately the state government failed to implement the minimum wage as promised.

“Some workers received an increase of only N3000, some N4000, some N5000 or N7000 to their salaries.

“We also noticed that some workers were unconstitutionally removed from the payroll.

“We are not happy with this situation, the labour unions in the state consider this action as breach of trust from the state government to the labour leaders,” he said.

“Therefore, the organised labour is giving the state government two weeks to address the irregularities,” Halliru said.

Also speaking, the State TUC Chairman, Sa’idu Mudi, said that Zamfara was the only state in Nigeria that was yet to implement the N70,000 minimum wage.

“The entire organised labour leaders and entire workers in the state are disappointed with the state government.

“We are also disappointed with the state government technical committee for the implementation of N70, 000 minimum wage,” Mudi added.

The Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has accused certain individuals within the government of deliberately obstructing the implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage in Zamfara State.

He urged Governor Dauda Lawal to establish a committee to investigate the alleged sabotage and take decisive action to address the issue.

NAN