Sokoto Commits To N70,000 Minimum Wage, AS NLC Urges Calm

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Sokoto State Government, on Tuesday, November 19, reassured its commitment to paying the new minimum wage to its workforce.

This is just as the leadership of the organized labour in the State sued for calm and patience on the part of the workers.

The Deputy Governor, Idris Mohammed Gobir, who revealed Government’s position at an interactive session with the Media, however called on the leadership of the Nigeria Labour  Congress, NLC, to avail Government its proposal on the templates for the implementation of the minimum wage .

A statement  from Comrade Garba Mohammed, Media aide to the Deputy Governor, said that labour’s position will assist the Government in coming out with a harmonized system of implementation.

The. Deputy Governor, according to the  statement, made the appeal during a meeting with the leadership of the organized labour.

The NLC chairman in the State, Comrade Abdullahi Aliyu Jungul, assured workers that all necessary efforts are being made to conclude discussions on the new minimum wage payment.

While lauding the State Government for so far displaying sincerity of purpose in the entire negotiation, also, informed that the NLC will be submitting its proposed templates to the Government very soon.

The Source reports that the national leadership of the Organized labour, penultimate week, issued December 1, 2024, as the dateline for all negotiations regarding the implementation of the N70,000 new minimum wage to be concluded.

The NLC ultimatum is believed to be a direct response to the alleged unwillingness of some State Governments to implement the wage agreement reached in August this year between the Federal Government and the organized labour.

With many States already paying the minimum wage to its workforce effective October, the remaining ones appear to be under intense pressure to avoid any confrontation with the organized labour.