Sani Haruna
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kebbi State Council, has defended the workers’ welfare record of the administration of Governor Nasir Idris, saying the government has demonstrated sustained commitment to the interests, welfare and conditions of service of workers in the state.
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The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Murtala Usman, stated this while briefing journalists in reaction to the Independence Day address delivered by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Abubakar Malami.
Usman acknowledged the commitments contained in Malami’s address, including proposals on minimum wage, promotions, pensions and gratuities, transportation, healthcare, housing, retirement age and workers’ participation in governance.
He, however, said the union could not accept sweeping allegations suggesting that Kebbi workers were generally suffering because the state government had failed to pay pensions, implement promotions or unlawfully deduct workers’ salaries.
The NLC chairman said the union had maintained continuous engagement with the Kebbi State Government since Governor Idris assumed office in 2023 on issues affecting workers and their conditions of service.
According to him, the engagements have been conducted through collective bargaining, social dialogue, consultations and negotiated settlements of industrial disputes.
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Usman said the union had consistently presented workers’ demands to the government, with several issues already addressed, while others remained subjects of ongoing discussions and negotiations.
He noted that the state government had approved and implemented a minimum wage of ₦75,000, which he said was above the then national minimum wage benchmark of ₦70,000.
Usman also acknowledged Malami’s proposal to pay workers a minimum wage of ₦110,000 if elected governor in 2027, but said such political promises should be assessed based on their cost, funding arrangements, sustainability, implementation mechanisms and timelines.
He maintained that workers deserved policies that could be realistically implemented and sustained, rather than promises based solely on attractive figures and campaign rhetoric.
The NLC chairman listed several interventions by the present administration, including the completion and equipping of the state Secretariat, implementation of the ₦75,000 minimum wage and the regular payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities.
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He also cited the payment of responsibility allowances to primary school teachers, the recruitment of 2,568 health workers and the employment of 2,000 qualified teachers as measures taken by the administration to strengthen the state workforce.
Usman further said the government had extended the retirement age of teachers, medical doctors and veterinary doctors from 60 to 65 years, while increasing the period of service from 35 to 40 years.