The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Nasarawa State Chapter, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state have differing views on the payment of the new national minimum wage of N70,000 by the state government.
PASAN Chairman, Mr. Suleiman Oshafu, expressed the union’s stance following an emergency meeting in Lafia. The union prefers the new national minimum wage to be paid to all state workers before addressing the promotion arrears owed to certain civil servants. Oshafu emphasized that the minimum wage would benefit all state workers, whereas the promotion arrears would only affect specific individuals.
The meeting’s purpose was to update members on the outcome of the NLC/TUC meeting with Governor Abdullahi Sule on August 12 regarding the national minimum wage payment. Governor Sule had agreed to pay the N70,000 minimum wage to civil servants as approved by President Bola Tinubu. However, the NLC preferred that the backlog of promotion arrears be paid first, a stance the governor accepted.
Oshafu clarified that while PASAN is not opposed to paying the promotion arrears, they believe the new minimum wage should take priority. He thanked members for their input and promised to relay their resolutions to the NLC and state government.
He also urged members to remain united and peaceful for the association’s progress and appreciated the state House of Assembly Speaker, Mr. Danladi Jatau, for his support of workers. Oshafu also thanked the state governor for his commitment to the welfare of assembly staff.