N70,000 is not a living wage – Gombe NLC
The Gombe State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Yusuf Aish, has urged the state government to ensure the full implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage as workers anticipate a living wage.
This came as he said that the recent minimum wage increment of N70,000 announced by the Edo State Government ”is just a gesture by His Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki and is not a living wage.”
Aish made this disclosure in an interview with journalists shortly after the May Day celebration with the theme; ”People first”, held on Tuesday at Pantami Stadium.
PUNCH Online notes that the N30,000 minimum wage has not been fully implemented across the state and local government workforce, making Aish seek balance and full implementation.
He said, “Balance and implementation of the remaining N30,000 minimum wage. Balances from the agreed N30,000 for state civil service but it’s not 100 per cent the Health sector is 65 per cent and 35 per cent is yet to be implemented whereas in the other civil service of the state, their allowances were not enhanced going by the basic.
“We also agreed that tax should be waived for a period until the government can implement across. As of now, we are paying the old tax because the government has not implemented 100 per cent as agreed. The local government services haven’t done anything in terms of minimum wage at the time of discussing minimum wage there was a serious vacuum, we realised during negotiation that one LGA which was Nafada could pay minimum wage to workers, followed by Funakaye for about 90 per cent workers. Some LGAs can’t pay 10 per cent as at that time Gombe LGA was at a negative balance.
“We agreed that when the situation improves LG workers will get minimum wage. However, before I became NLC Chairman two years ago, no engagement with the government but after I became the chairman we had two series of meetings on how the technical committee needs to work on the remaining balances and see to the implementation. Implementing is good as we are now discussing on living wage.”
Speaking further Aish disclosed that the country has gone past minimum wage to living, adding that the current economic realities have things very difficult for workers.
“It is no longer the issue of minimum wage but living wage because of the issues we have found ourselves in the country. Living has become very difficult that is why the theme of this year’s commemoration is people first,” he added.
Aish called on the government to focus more development of residents as it would reduce the rate of crime, adding “Human development should be first because by this insecurity and social vices will not be there that is why we are calling on government to emphasis on human development.”
Reacting to the recent approval announced by the Edo State Government, Aish said “Minimum wage is now a national discussion it’s already ongoing you can’t build request without your national body. The one from the Edo State Government was a pronouncement done by the governor, not the Nigeria Labour Congress or Trade Union Congress, It is just a gesture by His Excellency the Governor of Edo State as workers are happy to hear that and we pray that the incoming administration will key in but what we are saying is even the N70,000 is not a living wage.”
Also speaking, Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, who was represented by Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Jatau, said the current administration is workers friendly, adding that the cordial relationship has entrenched peace and development.
He said, “Subsequently, the state has been doing the best it can, of course, based on the limited resources to it, has been working towards the attainment of the three basic elements contained in the aspiration of Labour leaders since the journey started.
This of course was what informed the Trade Union Congress to give the State Governor the Most Friendly Labour Award in 2023.”
