Minimum Wage Dispute: Labour Shuts Down Activities in Four States

Labour unions halt operations across four states, demanding an increase in the minimum wage and better living conditions for workers nationwide.

On Monday, at least three Nigerian states, along with the Federal Capital Territory, experienced disrupted economic activities as members of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress went on strike. The industrial action was in protest against the failure to implement a minimum wage of N70,000.

It has been reported that Nigerian workers initiated a one-week warning strike, disrupting economic activities in Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Ebonyi states as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

The strike arises as certain states have declined to enact the new minimum wage in October and November 2024.

Teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, are frustrated by the area councils’ failure to comply with the new minimum wage of N70,000.

In Kaduna, employees in Nigeria brought government ministries and agencies to a standstill.

In response, the Kaduna State government stated that it began paying the minimum wage in October, but excluding the consequential adjustment.

Likewise, in Ebonyi and Nasarawa states, organized labor members also brought activities to a standstill.

In Ebonyi, Governor Francis Nwifuru issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the striking workers, warning them to resume work or face dismissal.

Nwifuru announced that the government had approved a minimum wage of N75,000 and has begun its implementation.

However, workers in Ebonyi previously dismissed the governor Nwifuru’s announcement of a N75,000 minimum wage as an empty declaration without any concrete implementation. Consequently, they initiated a warning strike.

In an exclusive interview regarding the strike, Benson Upah, spokesperson for the NLC, characterized the first day of striking as a success across various states.

Upah characterized Governor Nwifuru’s threat as reckless.

He stated that Nwifuru is isolated on what he called a ‘self-righteous journey.’

The level of compliance has been impressive across various states.

Governor Francis Nwifuru’s response is completely irresponsible, and he stands isolated in his self-righteous stance.

“A significant number of defaulting governors have implemented actions to prevent further escalation,” he mentioned.

Remember that in July 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the National Minimum Wage Bill.

The federal government and several states have begun implementing the minimum wage, whereas others are delaying.