Civil servants in Jigawa State, Nigeria, are dissatisfied with the state government’s proposed N10,000 wage award as a palliative following the removal of fuel subsidy.
The Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress jointly rejected the offer, expressing their discontent in a press statement released after a meeting in Dutse, the state capital.
The press statement, signed by the state chairmen and secretaries of NLC and TUC, highlighted the rejection of the N10,000 wage award, considering it premature and asserting that no agreement had been reached on the matter.
The NLC Salary Negotiation Committee engaged in prolonged negotiations with the state government committee, presenting various submissions without receiving a response.
The Organized Labour expressed surprise at the state Commissioner for Information, Youth, and Culture, Hon Sagiru Musa’s announcement of the N10,000 wage award for three months.
The statement clarified, “It is important for the general public to note that the Organized Labour has not signed any Memorandum of Understanding with the Jigawa State Government on the N10,000 wage award; the Negotiation Committee is yet to conclude its assignment.”
However, the state’s Head of Service, Muhammad K. Dagacire, asserted that the NLC Negotiation Committee was aware of the government’s decision regarding palliative measures.
Dagacire explained the agreement included a three-month wage award, distribution of food palliatives, and provision of farm inputs, including lands, for every civil servant.
He stated, “So it is surprising to hear this story from you on the said NLC’s rejection of N10,000. Our interventions to workers to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal are of three stages, and Governor Malam Umar Namadi is committed to fulfilling all.”
Last week, the Jigawa State Government gave its approval for a wage award of N10,000 to civil servants working in both state and local governments.
This decision was announced by the Commissioner of Information, Youth, Sports, and Culture, Hon Sagir Musa Ahmed, after the state executive council meeting last Friday.
In his statement, the commissioner outlined the specifics of the wage award, stating, “The State Executive Council has, after its deliberations, approved the sum of Ten Thousand Naira (N10,000) to each civil servant in the state for three months, effective January 2024, as a salary award.”
He further clarified that the wage award applies to Jigawa State Civil Servants, including both state and local government workers.
The payment will continue until a new national minimum wage is officially signed into law, along with other palliative measures.
