Minimum Wage: Labour Ground Activities In Kaduna, Ebonyi, Other States

Economic activities in major Nigerian states, including Kaduna, Ebonyi, and Nasarawa, came to a standstill on Monday as members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) embarked on a one-week warning strike to protest against the non-implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage.

The strike, which was triggered by the failure of state governments to fully implement the new minimum wage law approved by President Bola Tinubu in July, disrupted public and private sector activities, especially in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Workers in the FCT, particularly teachers, are up in arms over the refusal of area councils to comply with the N70,000 wage directive.

In Kaduna State, workers paralyzed operations in ministries and government agencies, while in Ebonyi and Nasarawa states, the industrial action spread quickly, crippling public service operations.

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Speaking to newsmen, the NLC’s spokesperson, Benson Upah, confirmed the success of the strike on its first day, highlighting the impressive compliance from state to state. “Compliance level has been impressive, from state to state,” he said, emphasizing the widespread nature of the protest.

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, however, countered the claims by declaring that his government had approved a N75,000 minimum wage, which he said was already being implemented. He gave striking workers in the state a 72-hour ultimatum to return to work, threatening dismissal if they failed to comply.

But Upah dismissed the governor’s response as “irresponsible,” stating that Nwifuru’s actions were disconnected from the reality of workers’ grievances. “Governor Nwifuru’s reaction is utterly irresponsible. And he is quite alone in this self-righteous journey,” he added. Upah further praised the efforts of other state governors who have taken steps to prevent the escalation of the crisis.

In Kaduna, the state government has claimed it began implementing the minimum wage from October, except for the consequential adjustment.

However, workers in the state have expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of the implementation.

The warning strike follows a growing frustration among workers across the country, who have accused state governments of dragging their feet on implementing the N70,000 minimum wage, despite the President’s assent to the bill in July 2024.

While a few states have started to comply, the delay in full implementation by others has led to protests and the widespread disruption of services.