Labour disharmony and disruptions are likely in four states over the implementation of the new minimum wage.
Although, the targeted commencement of strike is December 1, workers in Cross River have commenced a two-day waring strike.
There is tension between Labour and governments in Katsina, Zamfara and Imo.
Already, 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have complied with the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.
Last month, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume expressed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s excitement over the way the states quickly started the implementation of the Act after the Federal Government began its implementation.
Labour yesterday insisted that beginning from Monday, workers in states where the new minimum wage is not being paid or there is no agreement on terms of payment, should proceed on strike.
Although N70,000 is the minimum wage, many states rose above the threshold.
States such as Lagos and Rivers are paying N85,000.
Lagos also hinted it could be up to N100,000 in the first quarter of next year.
Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Oyo and Niger are paying N80,000 while Delta and Ogun states approved N77,000.
Ebonyi, Osun, Benue and Kebbi states approved N75,000; Ondo, N73,000; Kogi and Kaduna, N72,000; Kano and Gombe ,N71,000.
Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Jigawa, Borno, Edo, Kwara, Nasarawa, Taraba, Ekiti, Bauchi, Yobe and Plateau state okayed N70,000.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is also paying N70,000.
Cross River
Workers in Cross River State have commenced a two-day warning strike over the failure of the state government to come to agreement with the state NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) on the minimum wage.
They warned that the warning strike would be followed by a total strike should the government fail to do the needful before the December 1 Labour deadline.
But Governor Bassey Otu appealed to them to shelve the industrial action and “support the government in its quest to improve the lot of our people”.
Otu said since his administration was committed to the prioritisation of workers’ welfare, it would implement the N70,000 minimum wage.
The governor made the appeal at the 5th edition of the state Solemn Assembly at U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, the state capital.
He was represented by his deputy, Peter Odey.
The governor said: “I appeal to the leadership of organised Labour and all affiliates of the NLC (Nigeria Labour Congress) and TUC (Trade Union Congress) to suspend their planned strike.
“I enjoin them to support the government in the quest to improve the lots of our people.’’
Katsina
State Chairman of the NLC Hussain Hamisu told The Nation that a strike notice would be served on the government if by the end of yesterday “there is no positive response” from the Dikko Radda administration.
“If by tomorrow (today) there is no positive indication from the state government, we shall declare an indefinite strike in compliance with the directive from the National Executive Council of the NLC at the last meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State,” said Hamisu.
He expressed surprise that nothing had been done by the government after the conclusion of work by the minimum wage implementation committee.
The NLC chairman added that “retirees’ payment must equally be considered because there was a circular on their benefits and entitlements at the time of their retirements.”
Zamfara
In Zamfara State, there was concern at the weekend that civil servants might heed the December 1 strike call by the NLC.
The worry arose following the decision of the government to first physically verify its workers before implementing the new wage structure.
Head of Service Ahmad Liman told reporters that even though records show that the state has over 34,000 workers, a number of ghost workers was not only uncovered, but some were due for retirement.
Liman announced that the government would constitute a wage committee to fashion out modalities and make recommendations to Governor Dauda Lawal.
But the NLC Chairman, Sani Halilu, who was present at the news conference, later issued a statement in which he called on the government to begin implementation of the new wage by the end of this month to avert the December 1 strike.
He said: “All unions in Zamfara State have supported the (December 1) ultimatum. We advise the government to act by the end of November. If the wage is not implemented, the NLC will initiate the strike, which will effectively shut down the state.
“The NLC emphasises that the failure to enforce the minimum wage is a disregard for the law, the welfare of workers, and their dignity.
“The union calls on all workers in Zamfara to prepare for the industrial action, which it views as a necessary step to secure workers’ rights and improve their living conditions.
“Failure to implement the wage will compel the NLC and its affiliates to embark on an indefinite industrial action, effectively shutting down the state from December 1.
“The NLC Council stands firmly in solidarity with Nigerian workers in their fight for justice and dignity.
“The failure to implement the minimum wage is a blatant disregard for the law, morality, and the well-being of workers who continue to endure immense hardship.
“We call on all workers in the state to prepare for this industrial action, as it is a necessary step to secure their rights and improve their livelihoods.
“The NLC Zamfara State Council remains committed to the welfare of workers and ensuring that the government fulfills its obligations.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. Nigerian workers deserve their rightful wages, and we will not relent until the minimum wage is fully implemented in Zamfara State.”
Read Also: Buni approves N70,000 minimum wage for Yobe workers
Zamfara State started the implementation of the 2019 minimum wage this year.
Imo workers anxious
In Imo State where Governor Hope Uzodimma promised to implement the N70,000 wage, workers said at the weekend that they were anxiously waiting for the implementation.
The workers urged the government and the state NLC leadership to expedite the ongoing negotiations on the issue.
One of them, who gave his name simply as Ikenna, said: “We are in suspense but expecting a positive outcome. We hope the governor and Labour leaders will reach a mutually beneficial agreement soon.”
Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Austin Chilakpu, told The Nation that Uzodimma “needs every detail to conclude” on when to begin the implementation.
Chilakpu pleaded for patience with the workers.
Payment begins in Yobe next month
In Yobe State, the government announced in a statement at the weekend that Governor Mai Mala Buni had approved that the payment of N70,000 minimum wage for civil servants should commence in December.
The state’s Director-General, Press and Media Affairs, Mamman Mohammed, said the approval was contained in a memo by the governor.
Mohammed explained that a committee constituted by Buni on the new wage “recommended for a reconciliation of local government finances to ensure a hitch-free transition process of the local government councils from the existing salary structure to the new minimum wage.
A Bill giving effect to the new wage pact passed by the National Assembly was signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on July 29.
A committee on consequential adjustment constituted by the Federal Government submitted its report in September, providing guidelines for employers of Labour.
The committee was chaired by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) Mrs. Esther Walson-Jack.
A Bill giving effect to the new wage pact passed by the National Assembly was signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on July 29.
A committee on consequential adjustment constituted by the Federal Government submitted its report in September, providing guidelines for employers of labour.
The committee was chaired by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) Mrs Esther Walson-Jack.
