Workers across five states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Cross River, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Kaduna, and Zamfara, may embark on an indefinite strike today, December 4, due to the non-implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage. Despite ongoing negotiations, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its state chapters to proceed with industrial action if agreements are not reached.
In the FCT, workers in the six area councils have already been ordered by the NLC’s FCT Council to strike indefinitely. The directive followed the council’s criticism of area council chairmen for failing to implement the minimum wage despite prior notifications.
Similarly, in Nasarawa State, the NLC disclosed plans to strike over the lack of a signed agreement for the N70,500 minimum wage. State NLC Chairman Ismaila Okoh emphasized that while a committee had agreed to the payment, no official documentation had been finalized. “If nothing is done before midnight, our members will fully comply with the strike directive,” Okoh stated.
Kaduna State: A Case of Compliance and Contention
The Kaduna State Government announced that it had implemented the new minimum wage, with the lowest-paid workers receiving N72,000 in November. However, the state’s NLC chairman, Ayuba Suleiman, insisted that workers would still strike, citing directives from the union’s national leadership.
The state government countered the strike claims, emphasizing its adherence to the National Minimum Wage Law. Governor Uba Sani’s administration argued that the wage increase had significantly strained state finances, leaving limited funds for other public services. “Spending over 90% of our revenue on just one percent of the population is unreasonable,” said Ibraheem Musa, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary.
Strikes in Other States
In Ebonyi, NLC Chairman Dr. Oguguo Egwu lamented the state’s failure to honor Governor Francis Nwifuru’s earlier announcement of a N70,000 minimum wage. Workers were directed to join the strike after the government bypassed collective bargaining processes.
Zamfara and Cross River states are also poised for industrial action, with union leaders expressing frustration over delayed payments. In Cross River, last-minute agreements were reportedly reached with labor unions, though details remained unclear at press time.
As the strike looms, negotiations between state governments and labor unions continue. The growing unrest underscores the financial and political complexities surrounding the implementation of Nigeria’s new minimum wage policy.
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