Workers in several states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Cross River, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Kaduna, and Zamfara, have embarked on a strike today, Monday, December 2, 2024, over the non-implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage.
The strike, which was directed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), is a result of the failure of the state authorities to negotiate the payment of the new minimum wage. Despite meetings between the implementation panels set up by the concerned states and labour leaders, the state chapters of the NLC have expressed their readiness to embark on the strike.
In Kaduna State, the government claimed to have commenced the implementation of the new national minimum wage, paying the least-paid worker N72,000 as gross salary in November.
However, the state chapter of the NLC confirmed its planned strike, with Chairman Ayuba Suleiman stating that workers would embark on the strike as directed by the NLC leadership.
In Ebonyi State, the Chairman of the NLC, Dr Oguguo Egwu, disclosed that state workers had been directed to join the ongoing industrial action, with a one-week warning strike sequel to the failure of Governor Francis Nwifuru to implement the new national minimum wage.
Meanwhile, in Cross River State, the government reached an agreement with the state chapters of the NLC and TUC late Sunday night to pay the N70,000 wage to its workers, although it was unclear whether the state workers would still embark on strike.
The strike is expected to affect various sectors, including healthcare, education, and public services, with the NLC urging state governments to implement the new minimum wage to avoid further industrial action.
