The Katsina State government has approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 for its workers following extensive negotiations with labor unions.
The decision was reached after nine hours of deliberations between representatives of the state government and labor unions.
The agreement was finalized in the early hours of Saturday morning, according to Abdullahi Faskari, the Secretary to the State Government.
Faskari explained that the discussions focused on balancing workers’ demands with the government’s financial capacity, ensuring the new wage policy remains sustainable while considering the economic challenges faced by the workforce.
“This landmark decision followed nine hours of intense deliberations between representatives of the state government and labour unions,” Faskari told reporters at the end of the meeting.
He also commended Governor Dikko Umar Radda’s administration for prioritizing the welfare of civil servants and promoting harmonious labor relations.
Faskari highlighted that the agreement reflected the government’s commitment to addressing the needs of workers.
The deal follows a series of tense negotiations between the state government and labor unions.
Earlier on Friday, talks had stalled after labor representatives walked out due to disagreements over the timing of the new wage implementation. The government had proposed that the wage increase take effect in January 2025, while labor unions insisted on its commencement in December 2024.
The deadlock was later resolved, and discussions continued, ultimately concluding around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday.
