In a strategic effort to prevent an indefinite strike by the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Zamfara State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the labour union regarding the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage.
The agreement, finalized late Monday evening, follows extensive negotiations between representatives of the state government and NLC officials.
The agreement also addressed various labour-related concerns raised by the union, including demands for improved welfare packages for state workers.
Comrade Sani Haliru, the NLC Chairman in the state, confirmed the suspension of the planned industrial action, stating that the MoU represents a victory for workers’ rights.
He commended Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration for its readiness to engage in dialogue and prioritize the welfare of workers.
“If you can see all our circulars, it states that a state where there is no implementation or an agreement, commitment signed, but we all witnessed what happened here this night, even the state Governor is inside his office waiting for the outcome of this meeting.”
“Before I was not happy with what was on the ground because I said we should come to an agreement but they said no they could not do it, I said okay let us go ahead with the strike, now that they have done what is expected of them, we would refer to our National Headquarters.”
The Zamfara Government represented at the meeting by the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Nakwada expressed the administration’s dedication to implementing the agreed wage increase.
He assured workers that the state government remains committed to fostering a harmonious relationship with labour unions.
“For me leading from the state government side, I would say it’s a very fruitful meeting, it has taken us many days but by special grace of God, today we are able to meet at a certain point of N70,000 minimum wage, the state Government has accepted and we have signed the MoU, no Victor no vanquish.”
Nakwada also confirmed that the implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage will commence in March 2025.
“What we have signed, the implementation date is going to be in March 2025, reasons for that is that we have a committee working on the verification of the entire state workforce, this is intended to align the nominal role with regards to payroll so that it will balance, we are almost over 50% of that.”
“For us that is the assurance we have received from the labour unions, so we really don’t expect any strike from them, that’s an assurance they gave us during the meeting.”
The Zamfara NLC was set to begin an indefinite strike today (Tuesday) if the state government did not meet its demands for the minimum wage.
Zamfara is one of the twelve states identified by the NLC National body to participate in industrial action due to the failure of state governments to implement the new national minimum wage recently approved by the federal government.