The Labour Veterans and Trade Unionists Assembly has expressed strong outrage over the low wages being paid to workers in Borno State, revealing that many workers receive only between N6,000 and N8,000 as their minimum wage.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Comrade Isa Tijani, the National Interim Chairman of the Labour Veterans, condemned the current wage situation. He described it as not only disgraceful but also a form of inhumane slavery in the modern era.
Tijani stated, “It is deeply troubling to confirm that workers in most local governments throughout Borno State are being paid just N6,000 to N8,000 as a minimum wage. This is unacceptable and constitutes a blatant form of modern-day slavery.”
The Labour Veterans also criticized the arbitrary deductions being made from workers’ salaries. They warned that if these issues are not resolved, workers in other states might also face similar exploitation.
Tijani urged the Governor to take immediate action by ensuring that all entitled workers are paid the current agreed-upon wage, even before the new Minimum Wage law is implemented.
He also called for an end to all forms of arbitrary deductions from salaries, whether for palliatives or for the purchase of cars for local Government Chairmen.
Highlighting the severe situation in Borno State, Tijani expressed concern that workers in other states might be subjected to the same conditions.
Therefore, he stressed the importance of Labour Leaders and their members addressing and resolving the full implementation of wage agreements across the board before the new National Minimum Wage law comes into effect.
