KEY POINTS
- Strike in states failing to implement N70,000 wage – NLC warns of indefinite strike.
- Twelve states have put new minimum wage into effect, while 24 still lag behind.
- Economic hardship, while noncompliance is a violation of workers’ rights, according to NLC.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is issuing a strike notice for December 1 for other states that are not implementing it.
The action comes at a time when several states have failed to respond or have responded half-heartedly to the wage law signed by President Bola Tinubu in August.
Non compliance all over States
But as of October, states such as Lagos, Ondo and Kano had promised in October to have implementation before November, while Osun and Cross River have yet to set a date.
The slow rollout has frustrated the NLC, especially after improved revenues following fuel subsidy removals. While some areas like Edo and Delta have made progress, many states remain stuck in a wage adjustment log jam.
Stand on labour against wage violation
The scenario in which states fail to comply fully with the wage increase by the end of November would see workers striking for an indefinite period, NLC President Joe Ajaero explained.
Also, non-implementation is a breach of the National Minimum Wage Act and a former NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, roundly jumped on states seeking to pull a fast one over their members to remind them of the urgency to comply fully.
This looming strike on December 1 reflects the commitment by the NLC to fair wages while the economy tries to balance demands.
The labour union has however vowed to continue action until the minimum wage is adopted in all states of Nigeria across all level of state employees including local government workers.
