Governor Umaru Bago has assured that his administration is ready to implement the N70,000 minimum wage, provided that the necessary funds are available.
Speaking at the 2024 quadrennial state delegate conference of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) in Minna, the governor expressed his administration’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare.
Bago emphasized that once the minimum wage is rolled out at the national level, Niger State will not delay its implementation. “The issue of minimum wage is a done deal. We are waiting for it, and as long as the resources are available, we will ensure its implementation in the state,” he affirmed.
The governor also highlighted his administration’s achievements in healthcare, including the payment of outstanding salaries for health workers and the ongoing renovation of 100 healthcare facilities to create a more conducive work environment.
Furthermore, he pointed out the regular payment of counterpart funds and the establishment of the Niger Ministry for Primary Healthcare Development to ensure the welfare of health workers.
He thanked the union leaders for maintaining a positive working relationship with the state government, while urging them to continue collaborating and considering the government’s efforts to improve worker welfare.
In his address, MHWUN chairman Abdullahi Erena acknowledged the challenges faced by the union, including the COVID-19 pandemic, economic uncertainties, healthcare demands, and the impact of banditry.
Despite these hurdles, the union has remained committed to providing essential healthcare services.
Additionally, Kabir Sani, national president of MHWUN, called for a national outcry against the recent fuel price hike and urged the government to reverse it. He reiterated the union’s support for any lawful action taken by organized labor to alleviate the economic burden on Nigerians.
Niger chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Idris Lafene, echoed these sentiments, calling for unity among unions and condemning the increase in fuel prices and electricity tariffs, which have exacerbated economic challenges for workers across the country.
Post A Comment: