The list, which is in the custody of the Nigeria Labour Congress , highlights the implementation stages of the national wage in all the states of the federation.Deputy General Secretary of NLC, Bello Ismail, told The Guardian in Abuja that while most states are paying workers’ salaries, what is paid is not in tandem with agreed terms with state councils.
Bello disclosed that the outbreak of COVID-19 since March last year slowed the process of minimum wage negotiation, adding: “All the negotiations that were on had to be put on hold because of the pandemic. We have not been able to kick-start the process since then. Negotiations were on in states like Yobe and Kebbi until COVID-19 came.”
But some senior workers told The Guardian that they were yet to receive any money on top of what they usually receive, rather about N3, 000 was being deducted from their salaries.A few junior workers explained that they only received about N10, 000 additionally to their pay package in January, stressing that they did not enjoy such last month, while others who have issues with the automated payroll system accused the government of not paying them since February 2020.
In Abia, the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, and state Chairman of NLC, Uchenna Obigwe, insisted that the state government was not defaulting in payment of the wage to its workers. He also described as nonsensical, arguments that wages should be decentralised in the country because the economic realities prevailing in states are not the same, saying: “As far as I know, such argument, especially from government officials, is nonsensical.
“What about numerous special advisers, senior special advisers and other advisers that advise special advisers? What about overseas trips and nebulous training? There is so much waste in this country.“If various arms of government reduce wastages, there will be so much money that paying workers will never be a problem. To my mind, it is not lack of money that is our problem; it is the love for wastages and wickedness in the high places.
Imo state governors are always problem to state workers. Dat then stupid governor Ohakim deliberately sacked government workers in Imo. Rocha's & family stole a lot from d state, then about to hand over to their son in-law. D next right man was not allowed to stay, & can u see?
Useless thing. How many states are paying full salary? Ondo state is paying 15%. Consequently, it means even if they pay minimum wage, they now receive lesser. This NLC is rubber stamp
We should just stop using Jorginho.... Calum Hodson Odoi back to his childish days...