The Gombe Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee headed by Deputy Governor; Dr Manassah Jatau, has fixed October for workers in the state to get agreed wage.
Briefing journalists on Thursday evening, Jatau said it just received the Federal Government’s consequential adjustment table, adding that the technical sub committee led by Finance Commissioner Gambo Magaji, has 72 hours to arrive at the amount payable to workers in the state.
Jatau said, “Having received that document we have decided to meet and see precisely what we can do. From the membership that you see from government side and labour you will see that it’s a sign of total concern. We have looked at what is available and what is not available and I can assure you that government, governor is determined to pay the N70,000 minimum wage from this month.
“We have discussed that but at any point in time you know we have those that are called technical people, they have been given 72 hours to meet and come back with final nitty-gritties to look at where we may not have seen since most of us are politicians. I can assure you that within 72 hours they will come with their report and possibly by Monday I will confirm what I have said.”
He disclosed that the current administration is committed to improving the welfare of workers within its financial strength, adding that the state may not consider arrears.
“I don’t have money for salary arrears, let’s start where we are at the time the Federal Government made it announcement the circular to work with was not there. If we are to pay arrears on what ? The effective date (for payment) is October 2024
Also speaking, Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress Yusuf Aish-Bello, said the union would not accept anything less from the agreed minimum wage.
“The assurance i give to you is that is going to be N70,000 nothing less. I want to inform the general civil servants and residents that we have looked at tables from national and I have the believe that when we reconvene in the technical meeting we will arrive at what is going to be paid to civil servants of Gombe State,” he added.
