The Kaduna State Government has begun implementing the new national minimum wage, with the lowest-paid worker in the state now receiving a gross salary of N72,000 as of last month. This move disputes claims made by the Nigerian Labour Congress suggesting that the government had not adhered to the new wage payment. While many states agreed to pay above the N70,000 minimum wage, Kaduna State opted to set the minimum wage at N72,000 for its workers.
Despite offering to pay the approved N72,000 minimum wage, the state chapter of the NLC confirmed its involvement in the planned nationwide strike. The state’s NLC chairman affirmed this participation, stating their readiness for the strike. However, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Malam Ibraheem Musa, refuted claims of non-compliance, emphasizing that the state had followed the National Minimum Wage Law by paying the lowest-paid civil servant N72,000.
Musa clarified that while the government is open to consequential adjustments, it differentiates between salary increments and the minimum wage. He explained the financial constraints faced by the state due to increased wage bills and loan deductions, leaving limited funds for essential public services. The government emphasized the need for balance in expenditure, considering the broader population’s entitlement to the state’s revenue.
Musa urged the NLC to be patient regarding consequential adjustments until the state’s revenue situation improves. He highlighted the Governor’s support for labor by providing free bus services for civil servants as part of initiatives to alleviate economic challenges.