The Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) in Kaduna State has threatened to embark on protest and possible industrial action over the non-implementation of consequential salary adjustments for civil servants on Grade Level 07 and above.
The council, an umbrella body of public service unions, expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as prolonged delay and lack of commitment by the state government in approving and implementing the adjustments.
In a press statement issued after its State Administrative Council meeting held in Kaduna, the JNC said its members had exercised patience for months without any positive response from the government.
The statement was jointly signed by Comrade Danjuma Yusuf, Chairman, and Musa Muhammed, Secretary
The council recalled that a committee set up by the state government in October 2024 to review the minimum wage and consequential adjustments completed its assignment and submitted a report in November 2024, but implementation has yet to commence.
It further noted that a staff verification exercise initiated in January 2025 to address payroll irregularities also delayed the process, as it was not concluded within the expected timeframe.
The JNC said it had written to the state governor on multiple occasions, including October 2025 and January 2026, appealing for approval and implementation of the salary adjustments, but no concrete action has been taken.
According to the council, a subsequent negotiating committee involving labour leaders and government officials also completed its assignment and submitted recommendations, which are yet to be implemented.
The union warned that failure to act before the payment of April 2026 salaries would compel it to take decisive steps.
“The state government as a matter of urgency should approve and implement the recommendations before the payment of April 2026 salaries,” the statement said.
It added that if the demand is not met, workers would boycott the 2026 May Day celebrations and instead stage a protest march, after which a notice of indefinite strike would be issued.
The council lamented that while many states have implemented the consequential adjustments following the approval of the new minimum wage, Kaduna civil servants on higher grade levels are yet to benefit.
It also expressed concern over rising inflation, noting that the N72,000 minimum wage has been eroded by the increasing cost of living, including food, transportation and housing.
The JNC further stated that the current implementation of the minimum wage in Kaduna applies only to workers on Grade Levels 01 to 06, leaving senior civil servants without corresponding salary adjustments.
It warned that the situation has placed many workers under financial strain and called on the government to act swiftly to avert disruption of public service operations.
