Organized Labour in Niger State has firmly declared that workers will accept nothing less than the new minimum wage in October. However, the Union expressed a willingness to postpone the payment of October salaries if it ensures the implementation of the new wage in subsequent months.
In a press briefing in Minna, the state capital, Comrade Idrees Abdulkareem Lafene, Chairman of the Niger State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), emphasized that workers have been patient and are now awaiting action on the new minimum wage.
“We have already communicated with the State Government regarding our readiness to delay the October salary payment in exchange for the new minimum wage being implemented thereafter,” he stated. “We will not settle for anything less than the new minimum wage in October.”
Lafene mentioned that discussions with the state government are ongoing and expressed hope for a prompt implementation of the new wage. “We have even agreed that if the state government cannot exceed the amount set by the Federal Government, it should at least adopt the approved figure to maintain peace.”
Despite these developments, Lafene voiced concerns about the implementation of the new minimum wage across all 25 local government areas, citing variations in staff strength and existing salary disparities.
“We have met with State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, who assured us that there would be no issues at the state level regarding implementation. However, he expressed concerns about local governments, where salaries are nearly four times higher than those at the state level.”
The NLC Chairman urged local government chairpersons to explore alternative solutions for implementing the new minimum wage, asserting that any agreement made with the Niger State Government will be binding on all chairpersons.
While the state government has agreed in principle to pay the new minimum wage of N70,000 to workers, a specific date for its implementation has yet to be announced.
