The Trade Union Congress (TUC), Kaduna State Council, has commended Governor Uba Sani for approving a new minimum wage of ₦72,000 for local government workers in the state. The announcement, made on Thursday, has brought relief to many workers who had long earned ₦30,000 despite persistent calls for wage review.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kaduna on Friday, TUC Chairman Comrade Abdullahi Danfulani described the governor’s decision as a “long-awaited move” to bridge the pay disparity between state and local government employees.
“This approval is a significant step towards fairness and equity in workers’ remuneration,” he said.
Danfulani noted that while state government employees had been earning ₦72,000, their local government counterparts remained at ₦30,000 despite numerous appeals, letters, and strike actions.
“They have written several letters and even embarked on strikes, yet the issue remained unresolved until His Excellency graciously approved the new wage on Thursday,” he stated.
He commended Governor Sani for his “listening ear” and urged union members to remain patient during the ongoing staff verification exercise in the state. According to him, the process is essential to ensure transparency and fairness in implementing the new wage structure and consequential adjustments for all categories of workers.
“We believe that when the verification is completed, the governor will extend the consequential adjustment to all workers across the state. The governor is the father of all workers, not just those at the state level,” Danfulani said.
He appealed to workers to continue supporting government programmes and to remain united while the labour movement continues to advocate for improved welfare and working conditions.
“We are still in the struggle for better working conditions for every worker in the state — whether at the state, local government, or primary school level. We urge all members to be patient and cooperative,” he said.
Danfulani concluded by reminding workers of the spirit of solidarity that defines the labour movement: “Injury to one is injury to all.”
