A group, Labour Veterans and Trade Unionists Assembly has expressed concern over the ongoing negotiation of the upward reviewing of the national minimum wage by the federal government, condemning poor salaries of civil servants.
They also called on state governors to be committed to reviewing the minimum wage and to stop arbitrary deductions from workers’ salaries.
The group’s concern was contained in a statement signed by the national interim chairman, Comrade Isa Tijjani, who said there is a need for the government to ensure that all entitled workers are paid the prevailing agreed amount even before the new minimum wage comes into effect.
While thanking the Tinubu administration for this labour-friendly gesture, the group has urged labour leaders and the working class to pay adequate and special attention to the holistic and complete implementation of any agreements reached with the government at the end of the negotiation.
Tijjani said, “This has become necessary, given the current difficulty being experienced by workers nationwide as a result of the blatant refusal of many governors to implement and pay workers the agreed rate.
“In particular, we would like to highlight the case of Borno State, where we generally regarded his excellency, Professor Zulum, and the executive governor as a performer, only to realise that workers are being unfairly treated in the state.
“It pains us to admit that, we now have it on clear record, that, in Borno state, workers in most of the local governments throughout the state, are presently being paid N6000 to N8000 only, as minimum wage. This is not only despicable but an open case of inhuman slavery in the 21st century.”
He called on the governor of Borno State to ensure that all entitled workers are paid the prevailing agreed amount even before the new minimum wage comes into effect and to stop all forms of arbitrary deductions.