Minimum Wage Dispute: NLC Declares Strike in Abuja, 5 States

NLC Calls Nationwide Strike Over Unpaid Minimum Wage

The strikes were sparked by the national NLC's directive for workers in 14 states and the Federal Capital...

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared a strike in Abuja and five states, citing the non-implementation of the minimum wage as the reason for the industrial action.

Workers in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and five states - Cross River, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Kaduna, and Zamfara - are set to embark on a strike today, citing the non-implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage. This decision comes despite ongoing negotiations between state governments and labour unions.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed industrial action due to delays in reaching agreements. In the FCT, the NLC has instructed workers in the six Area Councils to begin an indefinite strike from December 1. This move is not unprecedented, as the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had earlier declared an indefinite strike in June 2024 over minimum wage talks.

FCT NLC Chairman, Stephen Knabayi, expressed frustration over the lack of response from council chairmen regarding the wage implementation, despite prior communications. The strike is expected to affect various sectors, including healthcare, education, and transportation, and may lead to disruptions in public services.

The Nasarawa State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has reaffirmed its commitment to joining the nationwide strike, despite reaching a verbal agreement with the state government to pay N70,500. According to NLC Chairman Ismaila Okoh, the lack of a signed implementation document means the strike will proceed as planned.

In Kaduna State, the government claims to have implemented the new minimum wage, with workers reportedly earning at least N72,000 in November. However, the state NLC, led by Ayuba Suleiman, is maintaining its strike stance, citing unresolved demands for consequential salary adjustments. The state government, through Governor Uba Sani's spokesperson, Ibraheem Musa, argues that limited resources and revenue constraints make it challenging to accommodate further increases.

In Ebonyi State, workers are expressing frustration and disappointment with Governor Francis Nwifuru's administration. Despite announcing in September that the state would comply with the new minimum wage, workers claim that the government has failed to implement it. This has led to accusations that the government is not prioritizing the welfare of its workers.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ebonyi State has been vocal in its criticism of the government's actions. Chairman Dr. Oguguo Egwu has condemned the government for bypassing collective bargaining processes, which has further exacerbated the tensions between workers and the state government.

Meanwhile, in Zamfara State, workers are also facing similar challenges. Despite ongoing discussions with the state government, workers have yet to receive the new minimum wage. As a result, the NLC has announced plans to embark on a strike, while continuing to engage in talks with the government. NLC Secretary Ahmed Abubakar has highlighted the growing frustration among workers, citing the delays in implementing the new minimum wage as a major concern.

In Cross River, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had threatened an indefinite strike over minimum wage issues. However, a last-minute agreement was reached on Sunday between the government and labour unions to implement the N70,000 minimum wage.

The strikes were sparked by the national NLC's directive for workers in 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to take industrial action over the non-implementation of the minimum wage. Some states have proposed new wage structures exceeding the federal mandate, but disputes persist over transparency and consequential adjustments.

State governments, citing limited revenue, are urging patience and dialogue to resolve the issues. They argue that they need time to address the wage concerns, but labour unions remain skeptical, pushing for immediate implementation of the minimum wage.

Kaduna's government has expressed concerns that allocating over 90% of its revenue towards civil servant salaries would lead to neglect of broader public needs. Governor Uba Sani emphasized his administration's commitment to labour-friendly initiatives, such as providing free transportation for workers, while appealing for understanding regarding necessary adjustments.

Despite some states making progress towards meeting the N70,000 minimum wage requirement, unresolved issues and inadequate communication have driven labour unions to proceed with strikes. This situation underscores the tensions between labour demands and state governments' fiscal constraints, potentially leading to disruptions across affected states.

The labour unions' decision to strike comes after the national NLC directed workers in 14 states and the FCT to take industrial action over wage implementation failures. While some states have proposed new wage structures exceeding the federal mandate, disputes persist over procedural transparency and consequential adjustments. State governments, citing revenue limitations, urge patience and dialogue to resolve the issues.