 has rejected the partial implementation of N30, 000 minimum wage in the state.){kind=link}
The Nasarawa State Chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the partial implementation of N30, 000 minimum wage in the state.
Comrade Yusuf Iya, Chairman of NLC in the state stated this in an interview with Money Central in Lafia
Comrade Iya said the union has observed that the government only want to implement minimum wage for workers in grade levels 1-6 without the corresponding consequential adjustments for other grade levels.
“Let me make it categorically clear that the implementation made by the Nasarawa state Government negates the principles and procedures of minimum wage implementation.
“Implementation of minimum wage required that there must be a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) duly signed by both parties or employers and employees and a template must be adopted for reference purpose.
“A copy of the agreement must be domiciled at the office of the Hon Minister of Labour and Employment, but non of the requirements has been fulfilled in Nasarawa State,” the NLC boss in the state added.
Iya explained that the Nasarawa State Government acted the way she acted for the fair of the threat by the Minister of Labour to drag any state yet to implement the new national minimum wage to court.
The NLC Chairman also said that even in the so-called implementation, Local Government workers in grade levels 1-6 were sidelined.
He added that it also means that any graduate who entered the service of the state from grade level seven and above cannot benefit from the minimum wage.
He further said that the so-called implementation was just mirage because if the outstanding promotions is over ten years were to be implemented, non of the beneficiary would still be in the level he or she is now.
He said with this implementation, only a total of 3,300 workers are to benefit out of a total of 16,000 workers and the union cannot accept this.
The NLC Chairman said already the union had issued a 21-day notice of strike and subsequently issued a seven day notice after the first one expired in line with labour laws.
He explained that if the government fail to do the needful after the expiration of the seven day notice on Wednesday June 8, the union would embark on an indefinite strike action.
He further explained that the Traditional Council of Chiefs had intervened and appealed that the union should give them up till Thursday June 10 to interface with the governor with a view of addressing it.
He said though the ultimatum given to the government would elapse on Thursday, the union would give grace to enable the traditional rulers speak to the governor.
Meanwhile, our correspondent recalls that Mr Zakka Yakubu, Accountant General of Nasarawa State had on Thursday June 3, 2021 announced implementation of minimum wage for workers in grade levels