Labour Union Protests Disrupt Activities in Four States Over Minimum Wage Implementation

Labour Union Protests Disrupt Activities in Four States Over Minimum Wage Implementation

By Fly Cable News

Economic activities in at least four Nigerian regions, including Nasarawa, Kaduna, Ebonyi states, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), were disrupted on Monday as members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) launched a one-week warning strike. This industrial action is in protest of the failure to implement the N70,000 minimum wage.

The strike follows delays in the adoption of the new minimum wage by several states in October and November 2024. Teachers in the FCT expressed frustration over the non-compliance of area councils with the new wage, while workers in Kaduna brought ministries and agencies to a standstill. The Kaduna State government claimed to have begun implementing the minimum wage in October, excluding the consequential adjustment.

Similarly, in Ebonyi and Nasarawa states, labor unions halted work, with Ebonyi’s Governor, Francis Nwifuru, issuing a 72-hour ultimatum for striking workers to return to work or face dismissal. Governor Nwifuru announced a N75,000 minimum wage for the state, but workers dismissed it as an unimplemented promise, leading to the warning strike.

The NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, reports that the first day of the strike was successful across the states involved. He criticized Governor Nwifuru’s ultimatum as “irresponsible” and emphasized that the governor was isolated in his stance. Upah added that several other states with similar issues had taken steps to prevent further escalation.

In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed the National Minimum Wage Bill into law, with the federal government and a few states already implementing the new wage, while others have been slow to comply.