From John Bassey, Gusau
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Zamfara State have rejected the new minimum wage payment payment template and have threatened industrial action within two weeks if the issues raised are not resolved amicably.
The leaders of unions gave the ultimatum at a news conference in Gusau yesterday, after an emergency meeting.
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,” Whaler 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.
“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 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’s technical committee for the implementation of N70, 000 minimum wage.”
Mudi alleged that some people in government circles are sabotaging the efforts of the state government as regards the implementation of the minimum wage.
He called on Governor Dauda Lawal to set up a committee to investigate the matter and take action.