Workers in Kaduna, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, and Cross River states began a one-week warning strike on Monday, demanding the implementation of the new national minimum wage and corresponding adjustments.
In Nasarawa State, public offices, including the State House of Assembly, courts, and ministries, were closed. Comrade Ismaila Okoh, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Nasarawa, stated that while the government verbally committed to a N70,500 minimum wage, it had not provided any written agreements.
He emphasized that workers were prepared to continue the strike if the government failed to take action.
In Kaduna, union officials locked the state secretariat, court complexes, and other government offices. The NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) criticized the government’s failure to implement wage adjustments despite paying a N72,000 minimum gross salary.
Labour unions in Cross River rejected the government’s announcement of a N70,000 minimum wage, pointing out that other demands, such as the payment of delayed salaries for newly hired workers, remained unmet. State offices in Calabar were also closed as labour leaders prepared for further meetings to decide the future of the strike.
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In Ebonyi State, Governor Francis Nwifuru threatened to sack and replace striking workers within 72 hours, asserting that he had fulfilled his obligations. He also warned that only workers present in their offices would receive salaries through table payments.
Labour unions in Ekiti State distanced themselves from the strike, citing an agreement with the state government to implement the N70,000 minimum wage starting in December 2024. Governor Biodun Oyebanji explained that the delay in implementation was due to budgeting constraints but reassured workers that the government would comply.
Labour leaders maintain that the new minimum wage is non-negotiable and are determined to hold state governments accountable for adhering to national directives.
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