Zamfara Workers Express Disappointment Over Minimum Wage Delay

In the ongoing dispute regarding the implementation of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage, Zamfara State civil servants have expressed deep disappointment with Governor Dauda Lawal for what they perceive as a continuation of the missteps of previous administrations. The frustration among workers has culminated in an industrial action that commenced today, December 1, 2024, following directives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) National Secretariat.

Zamfara’s civil servants had high expectations when Governor Dauda Lawal assumed office, hoping his administration would correct the injustices of past regimes. Their optimism was initially validated when, in June 2024, the governor ended the era of meager ₦7,000 monthly salaries for some workers. However, this goodwill is now under threat due to delays in implementing the new national minimum wage.

Governor Dauda was among the first 17 state leaders to establish minimum wage panels in September. Despite this early move, three months later, workers are still being told to wait, pending the completion of a staff verification exercise. While the verification aims to provide accurate data on state employees, workers argue it should not delay their long-awaited wage increase.

Zamfara workers have long endured poor wage policies, particularly under former Governor Abdul’aziz Yari, who refused to fully implement the ₦18,000 minimum wage approved during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in 2011. This failure, they argue, set a precedent for worker exploitation and inefficiency within the state’s public sector. Many recall how government offices under Yari’s tenure were often empty, with little distinction between weekdays and weekends due to low morale and financial hardship.

Similarly, the ₦30,000 minimum wage, established in April 2019 under President Muhammadu Buhari, was only implemented in Zamfara in June 2024—five years late and without a clear salary structure. Workers report discrepancies in pay among colleagues on the same grade and step, further eroding trust in the state’s wage policies.

The economic hardship in Zamfara has exacerbated the urgency of wage reform. Investigations reveal that over 80% of state workers struggle to afford two square meals a day due to inadequate salaries. The rising cost of living, driven by skyrocketing food and commodity prices, has made implementing the new minimum wage not just a legal necessity but a moral one.

According to NLC findings, 20 states are already paying wages between ₦71,000 and ₦85,000, while 12 more have committed to the ₦70,000 benchmark. Zamfara’s silence on the issue stands in stark contrast to its campaign promises of a “rescue movement.” Workers argue that with the state’s improved Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and Governor Dauda’s avoidance of borrowing, Zamfara is well-positioned to pay more than the minimum ₦70,000.

The NLC’s intervention underscores the importance of immediate action. The ongoing strike is seen as a necessary step to protect workers’ rights and livelihoods. The union insists that any wage implementation must include a transparent and standardized salary table to prevent past discrepancies.

Workers believe Governor Dauda, a PhD holder, should set a higher standard than his predecessors by implementing a sustainable and equitable wage structure. They call on him to align his policies with social justice and economic growth, ensuring Zamfara’s civil servants are no longer left behind.

As the industrial action continues, all eyes are on the governor to fulfill his promise and deliver the dignified wages that Zamfara workers have long awaited. The outcome will not only impact the state’s workforce but also set a precedent for labor relations across Nigeria.