The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kebbi has called on the state government to reconsider its decision to reverse payment of?N18,000 minimum wage with all benefits to its workforce. ? ?
A statement by the state NLC secretary, Kabiru Abba, on Sunday advised the government to have a?rethink over the issue as the payment of??N18,000 minimum wage was in the interests of the workers.
He described them as?major contributors to development and implementation of policies.? ? ?
The News Agency Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the state government had on Friday rescinded its decision to pay fully the N18,000 minimum wage, citing inadequate funds. ? ?
The Commissioner for Information, Mr Sani?Kangiwa, said payment of the new minimum wage would affect the monthly bill on pension, salaries, pension, gratuity, scholarship, students feeding, essential payments and provision of other services.????
He said that of the N2.7 billion received from the federation account, N2.078 billion was spent on settlement of the essential payments. ? ?
The state NLC, however, called on workers to remain calm as dialogue on the matter would be resumed.??
NAN reports that discontent over the government decision led to the academic staff of the state-owned Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu; College of Agriculture, Zuru and the college of preliminary studies,Yauri embarking on strike. ? ?
The state academic staff of secondary schools had also threatened to embark on an indefinite strike. (NAN)