Kano workers threaten legal action as goverment revert to N18,000 minimum wage.

By Abdulgafar Oladimeji.

The Joint Negotiation Council JNC Kano state chapter has disclosed that it has commenced  legal process against the state government for reverting to the payment of N18,000 minimum wage to workers.

The Chairman, JNC,Kano state chapter,  Comrade Hashim Saleh said the council has written to the state requesting for the reversal of what the council described as an illegal action.

He alleged that the state government has dumped the N30,000 minimum wage, he said Kano  workers now received wages within the frame of  N18,000 as minimum wage.

According to him, the state government is yet to formally reply the missive from the council,informing it of the planned legal action on the matter,   adding that the response from the state government would determine the next line of action that will be initiated  by the council to enforce  the interest of workers in the state.

Saleh said “When the deduction started in October, 2020, the council was inaugurated to mediate with the government on the development. The government said the development was as a result of poor revenue occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.

“The government also sited drop in it’s monthly allocation from the Federal government. They however promised to return to normal wage when the situation improve. But, the salaries of November and December 2020 were the worst. It is unacceptable.

“We have officially written to the government and we are waiting to hear the reply. The joint Labour unions will not hesitate to take drastic measures if government failed to do the needful.” Comrade Hashim cautioned .

Our correspondent reports  that the outraged workers have continued to express their dismay over the deductions and reversal to the outlawed N18,000 minimum wage.

A worker who spoke under the condition of anonymity said “ the deduction is carried out in a provocative manner.

“our salaries were first deducted in October without clarity, same in November and now December, now we just sense it out that the state government has reverted to the N18,000 minimum wage.”

Kano state  Commissioner for Information Malam Muhammad Garba did not comment on the brewing crisis between he state government and workers, Garba did not pick calls made to his mobile phone, neither did he respond to an sms  requesting for the state government’s clarification on the issue.