From Lawal Gwanda: Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari has called on the labour leaders in the country to pay more attention to fundamental issues that will add value to salaries earned by workers rather than wage increase.
The Governor made the call when he received the Director-General of the Micheal Imoudu National Institute of Labour Studies, Chief Issa Aremu on a courtesy visit in his office at Muhammadu Buhari House, Katsina.
In a statement signed by the Director General New Media to the Governor, Masari observed that salary increase only lead to escalating increase in the prices of goods and services.
He said the current APC led administration had succeeded in coming up with various programs intended to uplift the standard of the common man. These, he said includes social security program that allow for direct cash transfer to most vulnerable families, school feeding, market money among others.
He said in Katsina state alone over 700,000 vulnerable families were selected to enjoy free medical care under the State Health Insurance Scheme.
On his part, the Director-General of the Institute Chief Issa Aremu said Governor Masari was selected among the three labour friendly personalities in the country to be awarded with fellowship award of the institute this year.
The two other awardees, he said, are the Minister of labour Dr Chris Ngige and the Minister of state for Labour Festus Keyemo.
Chief Aremu however said the award presentation to the State Governor would be conducted this Thursday in Katsina.
He appreciated the Governor for being the first to implement N30,000 minimum wage to workers and prompt payment of pensions and gratuity to retirees.
In his remarks the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour and Productivity, Comrade Tanimu Lawal Saulawa said the Director-General of the institute was in Katsina for the award presentation to the Governor in realization of his commitment in prioritizing the welfare of workers and their capacity building.