The Labour Veterans and Trade Unionists Assembly, expressed concerns over the ongoing negotiations for the upward review of the National Minimum Wage by the Federal Government of Nigeria, condemning low payments of civil servants.

They have also called on state governors to be committed to the review of the minimum wage and to stop arbitrary deductions from workers' salaries.

The group’s concern was contained in a statement signed by the National Interim Chairman, Comrade Isa Tijjani, said there is need for the government to Ensure that all entitled workers are paid the prevailing agreed amount even before the new Minimum Wage comes into effect.

While thanking the Tinubu administration for this labor-friendly gesture, the group has urged labor leaders and the working class to pay adequate and special attention to the holistic and complete implementation of any agreements reached with the government at the end of the negotiation.

Tijjani said: “This has become necessary, in view of the current difficulty being experienced by workers nationwide as a result of the blatant refusal of many governors to implement and pay workers the agreed rate.

“In particular, we would like to highlight the case of Borno State, where we generally regarded His Excellency, Professor Zulum, and the Executive Governor as a performer, only to realize that Workers are being unfairly treated in the state.

“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 N6000 to N8000 only, as minimum wage. This is not only despicable, but an open case of inhuman slavery in the 21st century.”

He called on the Governor of Borno State to ensure that all entitled workers are paid the prevailing agreed amount even before the new Minimum Wage comes into effect and to stop all forms of arbitrary deductions.

The Labour Veterans and Trade Unionists Assembly have emphasized the importance for labor 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.