Strike: Workers close 4 states over new minimum wage, details emerge

• Unions are demanding full implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage signed by President Tinubu as a week-long strike has begun in four states.
• NLC and TUC workers in affected states including Kaduna and Nasarawa are protesting the delay in the implementation of the new N70,000 wage.
• Interestingly, some governors who approved the N70,000 salary have threatened to sack workers participating in the ongoing industrial action.

Legitime.ng Journalist Esther Odili has more than two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Workers in Kaduna, Nasarawa, Ebonyi and Cross River states have embarked on a week-long warning strike to demand the implementation of the new national minimum wage of N70,000 and consequential adjustments.

Workers in 4 states demand implementation of new minimum wage

The strike, which began on December 2, follows a directive of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) for workers in states where the new minimum wage has not been implemented.

In Nasarawa State, public offices, including the Legislative Assembly, courts and ministries, have been closed.

As reported Daily confidence On Tuesday, December 3, Comrade Ismaila Okoh, Chairman of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) in Nasarawa, said although the government had verbally committed to a minimum wage of N70,500, it had failed to deliver. provide written agreements.

He stressed that workers were ready to continue the strike if the government did not act.

In Kaduna State, the state secretariat, court complexes and other government offices were locked down by union officials.

THE CNL and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) cited the government’s failure to implement wage adjustments despite paying a minimum gross wage of N72,000.

Governors threaten layoffs as workers strike

Trade unions in Cross River State have rejected government’s announcement of a Minimum salary of 70,000 nairastating that other demands, including payment of deferred salaries of newly hired workers, remain unmet.

State offices in Calabar were closed as union leaders planned further meetings to decide whether to continue the strike.

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has threatened to fire and replace the striking workers within 72 hours.

He claimed to have fulfilled his obligations and warned that only workers present in their offices would receive their salaries in the form of payment at the tables.

Union leaders argue that the new minimum wage is non-negotiable and are determined to hold state governments accountable for national guidelines.

Learn more about the new minimum wage here:

NLC sends message to governors on minimum wage

Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that the NLC said nothing had changed regarding its December 1 ultimatum to state governors who had failed to implement the new minimum wage.

The NLC announced the end of November 2024 as the deadline for the implementation of the new minimum wage. It was seen that many state governors are trying to meet the deadline.

NLC Protocol and Public Relations Officer, Benson Upah, said the December 1 ultimatum to state governors still stands: “Yes, the ultimatum still stands. Nothing has changed.

Source: Legit.ng