From Agaju Madugba, Katsina
The Katsina State government has declared today a work-free day to enable residents welcome the President who is on a working visit to the state.
This clarification was made yesterday by Governor Umaru Dikko Radda, while speaking on the occasion of May Day celebration.
Also speaking at the rally to mark the Workers’ Day, the Katsina State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) urged the state government to implement the N70,000 minimum wage regime for workers in all categories of civil servants.
The state NLC Chairman, Hussaini Hamisu, said: “Despite agreements, some tertiary institutions in our state are yet to fully implement the new minimum wage.
“The Joint Consultative Forum (JCF) of these institutions has expressed dissatisfactíon, and we stand in solidarity with them, demanding timely and full implementation.
“We demand swift and complete implementation of the new minimum wage across all sectors, to reflect our shared commitment to workers’ welfare. We also urge the state government to address the challenges faced by retirees by ensuring timely payment of their benefits, especially those at the local government areas level.
“We call on the Federal Government to intensify efforts in securing our agricultural communities, ensuring that farmers can work without fear of violence or extortion. “This could be achieved if the Federal Government can continue to strengthen the security architecture in the state.”