Katsina State Government and labour unions reached an agreement in the early hours of Saturday ater prolonged negotiations regarding the new minimum wage.
The government has committed to beginning the payment of the new N70,000 minimum wage in December 2024.
Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Faskari, addressed the media after the meeting, stating, “This landmark decision followed nine hours of intense deliberations between representatives of the state government and labour unions.”
Faskari highlighted that the discussions focused on balancing workers’ demands with the state’s financial capacity, ensuring that the wage policy would be sustainable while addressing the economic realities faced by the workforce.
“The decision is a testament to Governor Dikko Umar Radda’s administration’s dedication to prioritising the needs of civil servants and fostering harmonious labour relations,” he added.
Recognizing the financial implications, Faskari assured that the government had thoroughly assessed its fiscal position and was confident it could implement the new wage structure without affecting other developmental projects or essential services.
He also revealed that efforts were underway to streamline the payroll system to ensure a smooth transition and timely payment of the adjusted salaries.
Earlier on Friday, talks between the parties had faltered, with labour union representatives staging a walk-out due to what was described as “irreconcilable differences.”
Reports indicated the deadlock stemmed from the government’s position that the new wage payments should begin in January 2025, while labour unions insisted on starting with December 2024 salaries.
The discussions were resumed later and continued well into the night, ultimately concluding around 1:30 am on Saturday.
