The Kaduna State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has lashed out at the state government for failing to fulfill its promise of implementing the N72,000 minimum wage announced by Governor Uba Sani. The union in a recent statement expressed its disappointment in a signed by its Secretary-General, Gado Hussaini.
According to the NLC, the government’s actions are both “arbitrary and insulting.” The labor union accused the administration of failing to adopt the negotiated consequential adjustments in the payment of November salaries, a move it described as a blatant disregard for workers’ welfare.
“The failure to implement the agreed adjustments undermines workers' welfare and constitutes a serious breach of public trust,” the NLC stated.
The union expressed outrage over what it described as a "paltry increment" in salaries, arguing that it is a grave affront to the dignity of labor. The NLC criticized the government for making grand public promises only to renege on them through inadequate and half-hearted measures that fall short of addressing the basic needs of workers in the state.
The labor union demanded the immediate implementation of the negotiated consequential adjustments, emphasizing that this was a necessary step to restore trust and meet the expectations of Kaduna’s workforce. It also called for the signing of a formal memorandum of understanding to legally enforce the agreement. The NLC warned that anything less would be viewed as a betrayal of the hardworking employees in the state.
In a meeting held on Tuesday, the State Executive Council (SEC) of the NLC reaffirmed its commitment to a directive from the National Executive Council (NEC) mandating a statewide strike. This strike is to be enforced against any government that fails to fully implement the new minimum wage by November 30, 2024.
The Kaduna chapter declared Sunday, December 1, 2024, as the deadline for decisive action. It pledged to take firm steps if the government fails to meet its demands, asserting that workers in the state are prepared to resist any further attempts at exploitation.
“The charade has gone too far. Workers in Kaduna State will no longer tolerate such deceitful tactics,” the union declared, reiterating its readiness to act decisively in defense of workers’ rights and welfare.
This latest development adds tension to the ongoing standoff between the state government and its workforce.
