……seeks investment in human development to curb insecurity, social vices
The Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Yusuf Aish, has urged Gombe State Government for balance and full implementation of N30,000 minimum wage as workers anticipate living wage.
Aish made this disclosure in an interview with journalists shortly after the May Day celebration with the theme; People first, held on Tuesday at Pantami Township Stadium.
Our correspondent reports that N30,000 minimum wage has not fully trickled across the state and local government workforce, making Aish to seek for the balance and full implementation.
He said, “Balance and implementation of the remaining N30,000 minimum wage. Balances from agreed N30,000 for state civil service but it’s not 100 per cent at the Health sector is 65 per cent and 35 per cent is yet to be implemented whereas in the other civil service of the state their allowances were not enhanced going by the basic.
“We also agreed that tax should be waved for a period until government is able to implement across. As of now, we are paying the old tax because the government has not implemented 100 per cent as agreed. In the local government services they haven’t done anything in terms of minimum wage at the time of discussing minimum wage there was serious vacuum, we realised during negotiation that one LGA which was Nafada could pay minimum wage to workers, followed by Funakaye for about 90 per cent workers. Some LGAs can’t pay 10 per cent as at that time Gombe LGA was at negative balance.
“We agreed that when the situation improves LG workers will get minimum wage. However, before I became NLC Chairman two years down, no engagement with government but after I became the chairman we have had two series of meetings on how technical committee needs to workout remaining balances and see to the implementation. Implementing is good as we are now discussing on living wage.”
Speaking further Aish disclosed that the country has gone past minimum wage to living, adding that the current economic realities has become very difficult for workers.
“It’s is no longer the issue of minimum wage but living wage because of the issues we have found ourselves in the country. Living has become very difficult that is why the theme of this year’s commemoration is people first,” he added.
Aish called on government to focus more development of residents as it would reduce the rate of crime, adding “Human development should be first because by this insecurity and social vices will not be there that is why we are calling on government to emphasis on human development.”
Reacting on the recent approval announced by Edo State Government, Aish said “Minimum wage now is now a national discussion it’s already ongoing you can’t build request without your national body. The one from Edo State Government was a pronouncement done by the governor not Nigeria Labour Congress or Trade Union Congress, its just a gesture by His Excellency the Governor of Edo State as workers we are happy to hear that and we pray that the incoming administration will key in but what we are saying is even the N70,000 is not a living wage.”
Also speaking, Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, who was represented by Deputy Governor Dr Manassah Jatau, said the current administration is workers friendly, adding that the cordial relationship has entrenched peace and development.
He said, “Subsequently, the state has been doing the best it can, of course, based on the limited resources to it, has been working towards the attainment of the three basic elements contained in the aspiration of Labour leaders since the journey started. This of course was what informed the Trade Union Congress to give the State Governor the most friendly Labour Award in 2023.”
