The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, in Jigawa State have collectively rejected the state government’s N10,000 pay award suggested as a palliative in reaction to the elimination of fuel subsidies.
The refusal was relayed in a press statement published following a state-wide Organized Labour conference in Dutse, the state capital.
The joint statement, signed by the state chairmen and secretaries of the NLC and TUC, criticized the state government’s pay award announcement as premature, claiming that no agreement had been reached on the topic.
According to the statement, the NLC Salary Negotiation Committee had been in extended conversations with the state government committee, offering numerous suggestions without receiving a response.
Hon Sagiru Musa, the state Commissioner for Information, Youth, and Culture, announced the N10,000 pay award for three months, which surprised the organized labour.
“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,” the statement clarified.
However, when contacted for comments, the state’s Head of Service, Muhammad K. Dagacire, stated that the NLC Negotiation Committee was fully aware of the decision taken by the state government regarding the palliative measures for the workers.
Dagacire explained that the agreement included a three-month wage award, distribution of food palliatives, and provision of farm inputs, including lands, for every civil servant.
“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,” he stated.