The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Kano on Wednesday kept mute over demand for pay raise of workers salary as Federal government announced 35 per cent increase in the minimum wage.
Prior to the announcement of N70, 000 minimum wage which is expected to take effect from 1st January, 2024, NLC directed state branch of the union to engage and negotiate new wage with state governments.
Addressing workers at the Kofar-Mata Sani Abacha stadium, on the occasion of the 2024 workers day, NLC Chairman in the state, Comrade Kabiru Inuwa instead demanded urgent payment of N75 billion backlog of unremitted pension contributions from government.
Comrade Inuwa worried that the unsettled deduction from pensioners entitlement which stood at N75 billion as at May, 2023 poses a serious threat to the financial security of our retirees.
He lamented that failure of government to remit the deductions of pension has led to cut in payments of pension to retirees over the years, calling for immediate intervention of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The labour leader also raised concern over the failure of the state government to fulfill pledge on monthly wage award which was only paid once, reminded that workers rely on the wage to improve their standard of living.
NLC chairman also drawn the attention of government over total silent on local government autonomy, adding that grassroot development is crucial to both financial and administrative independent of the local government.
Responding, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf applauded the commitment and dedication of workers to social and economic development of the state.
Governor Yusuf, represented by deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam, said his administration place premium to workers welfare for uptimum performance and would continue to build on their capacity.
Governor Yusuf used the occasion to remind the workers that era of partial payments of salary and deliberate deduction in monthly pensions are over.
He added that government has also completed screening and clear about 10,000 out of 13,000 civil servants recruited by the immediate past government toward the end of the administration.
Although, the Governor hinted plans to earmark portion of land for the construction of housing scheme for workers in the state, the government was equally silent on whether or not there was plan to implement new wage for workers.