Borno, Zamfara Workers Paid as Low as ₦6,000 to ₦8,000

The Labour Veterans and Trade Unionists Assembly has expressed outrage over the wages paid to workers in Borno State, revealing that many are receiving as little as ₦6,000 to ₦8,000 as minimum wage.

Comrade Isa Tijani, National Interim Chairman of the Labour Veterans, condemned the situation in a statement on Tuesday.

The Labour Veterans also condemned arbitrary deductions from workers’ salaries, warning that if the issue is not addressed, workers in other states might face similar exploitation.

“It pains us to admit that, we now have it on clear record, that, in Borno State, workers in most of the local governments throughout the state, are presently being paid ₦6,000 to ₦8,000 only as minimum wage. This is not only despicable, but an open case of inhuman slavery in the 21st century,” said Tijani.

“We call on the Governor to do the following: ensure that all entitled workers are paid the prevailing agreed amount even before the new Minimum Wage comes into effect, and stop all forms of arbitrary deductions in the name of palliatives or purchase of cars for local government chairmen.

“Taking into account the shameful act taking place in Borno State, we are concerned that workers in other states might be experiencing the same fate. It is of vital importance for labour leaders and their members to successfully tackle the issue of full wage agreements implementation across the board before the new National Minimum Wage regime comes into law.”

In Zamfara State, a concerning situation persists regarding the salaries of public workers. Previously reported by The Spectacles, primary school teachers and local government workers in Zamfara are receiving salaries as low as ₦8,000. This inadequate compensation is compounded by the lack of promotions and the absence of annual salary increments, exacerbating the financial strain on these workers.

Borno and Zamfara, both in northern Nigeria, are grappling with severe insecurity issues, surpassing those of any other states in the country. The dire situation in these states is largely attributed to rampant poverty, which some argue has been deliberately exacerbated. This pervasive poverty has fueled the rise of banditry, kidnapping, and various other criminal activities, creating a vicious cycle of insecurity and economic instability.