The Sokoto State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its planned strike following an agreement with the state government on the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage.
The state NLC chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Aliyu Jungle, announced the suspension during a press briefing over the weekend. He stated that the new minimum wage, set to take effect in January 2024, would benefit genuine council workers and teachers across the state.
Speaking after a meeting with the union’s executives at the NLC Secretariat in Sokoto, Jungle expressed satisfaction with the agreement, emphasizing its alignment with the state’s developmental goals.
“The Sokoto State branch of the NLC supports the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage announced by the state government, effective January 2024,” Jungle said.
He assured that the union would collaborate with the state government to ensure smooth implementation, including conducting screening and verification exercises to ensure only genuinely employed workers benefit.
“We will assist the state government in implementing the minimum wage, even if it means conducting screening and verification to ensure only genuinely employed workers benefit from the new minimum wage of N70,000,” he added.
Jungle also called on workers in the state to remain patient and optimistic, expressing confidence in the government’s commitment to unveiling additional welfare packages for its workforce.
“We are optimistic that more welfare packages are coming for workers in the state,” he noted.
It is worth recalling that Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto had announced the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage during the presentation of the state’s proposed budget for the 2025 fiscal year to the State Assembly, setting January 2024 as the commencement date.
The suspension of the strike highlights the collaborative efforts between the NLC and the state government in addressing workers’ welfare.
