Minimum wage: Katsina govt, labour reach agreement

From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

After three days of negotiations, the Katsina State government and organized labour in the state have reached an agreement on the payment of the new minimum wage to workers in the state.
Similarly, the duo have agreed with the outcome of the consequential adjustments in the salaries of other categories of the state workforce.
Alhaji Mustapha Mohammed Inuwa, the Chairman Negotiations committee and Secretary to the Government of the state disclosed this to newsmen shortly after signing the new minimum wage documents at the Government house council chambers in Katsina. He said the implementation of the new wage will commence January, 2020.
He said sequel to the exhaustive discussions with the state labour joint service negotiations council, the meeting has resolved to increase the salaries and wages of it’s workforce by between four and 62.8% respectively.
Giving the breakdown, the committee chairman said staffs on grade level one will enjoy an increment of 60.8 percent; level 2, 60.98 percent; level 3, 62.8 percent; level 4, 60.59 percent; level 5, 60.61 percent; level 6, 32.63 percent and level 7, 13.2 percent.
He maintained that, officers on grade levels 8-9, 10 percent; levels 10-14, 8 percent, while those on 15-17 are to enjoy four percent increment.
The committee chairman thanked both the government and the labour teams for their resilience in making the exercise possible, calling on the workers to reciprocate government gesture by contributing towards the improvement of the state internally generated revenue.
Similarly, he expressed their gratitude to the Governor for finding them worthy to serve the state, praying Allah to guide the administration to greater heights.
Comrade Hussaini Hamisu, the labour team leader and state NLC Chairman, commended the state government for their transparency towards the smooth conclusion of the exercise.
The labour leader however, appealed to the state government to revisit the issues of teacher’s allowances, TSS with a view to finding lasting solutions and ensure the development of their capacity.
To the workers, he charged them to rededicate themselves to their duties, both at the state and local government levels to enable them reap the benefits of the new minimum wage.