NLC kicks against implementation of N30,000 minimum wage in Kebbi State

The Kebbi state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Wednesday kicked against the approved N30,000 minimum wage by the State Government.

Alhaji Umar Halidu, the state’s Chairman of the union, made this known while briefing journalists in Birnin- Kebbi.

Halidu said the rejection of the minimum wage is based on the outcome the union meeting with its members in the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

“After extensive deliberations on the issue of N30,000 minimum wage that was viral on the social media, the joint NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in session kicked vehemently against the unilateral decision of the state government on the implementation of the wage.

“The state government went ahead unilaterally to approve the minimum wage without any agreement with our members.

“We don’t know the percentage approved to the workers above grade level 07.

“The N30,000 minimum wage for workers from grade level 01 and 06 is already a law but the fate of those above that is unknown to us as we have not discussed any agreement with the government,” he said.

Halidu said the organised labour was not party to the decision, describing it as violation of the principle of collective bargaining.

“We hereby totally disassociate ourselves from the said minimum wage.

“We call on government to set up machinery to deliberate on possible implementation of the minimum wage that could be acceptable to both parties to ensure industrial harmony,” he said.

The chairman also called on workers to remain calm and law abiding.

“The union is doing everything humanly possible to ensure that their rights and privileges are protected,” Halidu said.

Our correspondent had earlier on Sept. 23, reported that the state government said it would pay N30,000 minimum wage to workers with effect from Sept. 2019.