• Workers down tools in Kaduna, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, FCT
• No strike in Oyo, Ekiti,  Abia, Imo, others

Workers in three states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) resolved at the weekend to boycott work from today over the disagreement with the authorities on implementation of the new minimum wage.

In some other states, there is confusion following the directive by the national secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for workers in those states to embark on strike over the issue.

Some of the state councils of the NLC are threatening strike not based on the refusal of the state governments to pay, but due to lack of mutual agreement on what is being offered.

The NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) councils in Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have directed their workers to begin strike today.

In all these states, the governments had announced a minimum wage to be paid but there is disagreement on the mode of implementation.

Ebonyi has announced N75,000; Nasarawa, N70,500; Kaduna, N72,000 and FCT, N70,000.

The Minimum Wage Act 2024 stipulates N70,000 for the least paid worker.

The Federal Government commenced payment in September. More than 30 states have sealed agreements with their workers to pay various amounts ranging from N70,000 to N85,000 being paid by Lagos and Rivers states.

In Kaduna, the state government said it had commenced payment, but the workers kicked, saying there was no consequential adjustment.

In Ebonyi, where government has proposed N74,000, workers rejected it, saying it was a unilateral decision taken without consultation.

In FCT, workers in the area councils said there is no agreement to pay although Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike announced N70,000 as minimum wage.

At the weekend, NLC President Joe Ajaero, listed Abia, Oyo and Ekiti states among states councils directed to begin strike over the non-implementation of the Minimum Wage Act. But the state union chapters clarified that they were listed in error.

Workers in Sokoto and Akwa Ibom states, who have engaged their governments in a running battle over the wage matter, are yet to decide on the option of industrial action.

Kaduna: workers begin warning strike

Kaduna workers will today begin a one week warning strike over what they described as the non-implementation of the new wage.

The state NLC chairman, Comrade Ayuba Magaji Suleiman, said: “We are set to embark on warning strike starting from tomorrow (today) as instructed by our national leaders.”

However, government has decried the decision, saying it has not defaulted in implementation.

Governor Uba Sani’s Chief Press Secretary, Malam Ibraheem Musa, chided NLC for lumping Kaduna State with other states that have defaulted, describing it ‘’as grossly unfair because the least paid worker received N72,000 as gross salary in the month of November.’’

Musa added: “Governor Uba Sani has complied with the spirit and letter of the National Minimum Wage Law, by paying the lowest paid civil servant N72,000 last month.

“NLC is harping on the issue of consequential adjustment, but the Labour body should realise that there is a difference between salary increment and minimum wage.

“Kaduna State receives an average of N8 billion from Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) every month. It also generates around N4b monthly. That translates to N12 billion revenue monthly.

“However, the monthly wage bill has jumped from N5.4 billion to N6.3 billion with the implementation of the minimum wage last month. And there is also the deduction of N4 billion for loan payment every month.

“So, the wage bill and the deduction have gulped over N10billion of the total N12 billion revenue. That leaves only N2 billion for rural transformation, overhauling the health sector, revamping education and providing dividends of democracy to the people of Kaduna State.”

Musa insisted that it would be unfair for Kaduna State Government to spend almost all its revenue on consequential adjustments, after paying the mandatory minimum wage.

He said: “There are over 10 million people who are also entitled to the accrued revenue of Kaduna State. There are 84,827 civil servants in the state. So, it is unreasonable for government to spend over 90% of its revenue on just about one percent of the population.”

The spokesman, who described Sani as a Labour-friendly governor, pleaded with the NLC to exercise patience over the consequential adjustments, pending when government’s revenue would improve.

He said the government has already bought buses to convey workers to and from work free of charge, as part of the palliatives to cushion the effects of the economic problems.

However, the NLC chairman insisted that the strike will begin today.

He said: “We held a meeting, but we didn’t reach an agreement. The state government is not ready to implement the consequential adjustment and for us, that is unacceptable. So, we are embarking on the one week warning strike.

Also, the TUC accused the state government of unilateral implementation of the N72,000.00 new minimum wage, saying that the consequential adjustment is key.

TUC Chairman, Comrade, Abdullahi Danfulani said in a statement:“We were saddened after a careful study of the unilateral implementation of the N72,000.00 new minimum wage as announced by the Kaduna State Government during the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting of the congress held on the 30th November.

“The Council vehemently viewed it necessary to protest the unilateral manner by which the implementation of the consequential adjustments were made and this negates the principles of collective bargaining.

“However, we urge the state government to take the next step by approving the consequential adjustments to the salary tables as negotiated by the organised labour.

“We believe that this move will not only boost the morale of workers, but also increase productivity and efficiency in the public service.

“While we appreciate the state government for the consistent payment of workers’ salaries and the incorporation of workers of Kaduna State Water Corporation (KADSWAC) into the state payroll, payment of salary arrears and turn-around frame work for the revitalisation of the plant, we look forward to working with the state government to ensure a smooth implementation of the new minimum wage and consequential adjustments.

“By this communiqué the council is issuing a one week warning strike ultimatum from the day this communiqué was released.

Ebonyi workers join strike

Ebonyi NLC Chairman, Ogugua Egwu, who spoke in Abakaliki, the state capital, said the union rejected the decision of the state government to unilaterally approve a N75,000 wage for Grade Levels 1 and 2 workers and N40,000 upward review for Grade Levels 3-16.

He said the review did not meet the requirements of the new minimum wage.

Egwu said: “This wage award which was christened “minimum wage” is averse to the traditional procedures of implementing minimum wage, no matter the magnitude of the beautiful intent with which the pronouncement was made.”

Egwu noted that when a minimum wage is pronounced, it must go through the rigours of consequential adjustments that will translate into an agreement signed by both the government and Labour.

He added: “The pronouncement made was not a product of any collective bargaining agreement as we were never part of any consultation that led to the said pronouncement.

“To make matters worse for Ebonyi workers, the salary chart forced on workers and currently used did not undergo any consequential adjustment and has consistently malnourished the take home pay of workers as it lacks minimal progression.”

But the Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, disagreed with Labour that it was not consulted before the wage increase by the state government.

He said a committee was set up based on the panel’’s report.

Okpor added: “A committee was set up headed by the Head of Service. It was based on their report that the increased was implemented.”

Our grouse about N70,500, by Nasarawa workers

The grouse of workers on the payroll of the Nasarawa State government was the lack of written agreement on the N70, 500 the state agreed to pay.

Chairman of the committee and Deputy Governor Emmanuel Akabe announced that members met to finalise talks on the wage in his office in Lafia at weekend.

He also assured workers that the state would commence payment of the N70, 500 by December, noting that negotiations on salary adjustments were at advance stage.

But the organised Labour said it was mobilising its members for an indefinite strike after the state government delay in implementing the new minimum wage.

Chairman of the state NLC, Comrade Ismaila Okoh, said despite numerous meetings, including those chaired by Akabe, no formal agreement had been reached.

He said the state government verbally committed to N70, 500 minimum wage, but failed to provide a written agreement specifying payment terms.

The union leader further explained that all affiliate unions have been alerted and instructed to prepare for strike if the government did not implement the new minimum wage by yesterday and up to this moment; no action had been taken by the government.

“The workers are resolute, we are ready to take all necessary steps to ensure the full implementation of the minimum wage signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

No fund to implement  minimum wage in FCT

FCT Area Council employees resolved at the weekend to join the strike, following the directive by the NLC and TUC.

The chairman of Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), FCT chapter, Abdullahi Kabbi, said despite the approval of N70,000 by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, the Area Councils have not started its implementation.

Kabbi said both Local Education Authorities (LEA), and all the six area councils will comply with the strike.

He said while FCTA staff are being paid N70, 000 Minimum Wage but chairmen claimed that they don’t have money.

He said: “We are going to comply because we have been given a directive from our national bodies. When I say national bodies I mean, the NLC and my secretary of local government employees.

“We have been served the letter that we should go on indefinite strike if we have not been paid our minimum Wage arrears and implementation.

“In FCT we have minimum Wage implementation yet to be achieved and other backlog of arrears. That is where we are now. That yes, it is a national circular and an Act that they must pay but they should give them one month or two to implement the Minimum Wage. We don’t want to agree with that because many times, if we give the Area council chairmen privilege like that, they will abuse it.

“We urge every one of our members to stay at home until our leaders hold their meeting on the next line of action. We will fight for our right.”

No strike in Sokoto

The Sokoto chapter of NLC distanced itself from the strike, saying that it is satisfied with the N70,000 minimum wage implementation by the state government from January next year.

NLC chairman Abdullahi Aliyu Jungle said: “The state branch of the NLC supports the implementation of N70,000 announced by the state government effective January 2025.

“We will also assist the state government in implementing the minimum wage, even if it means conducting screening and verification to ensure that only genuinely employed workers benefit from the new minimum wage of N70, 000.

The chairman urged workers to exercise patience while expressing confidence in the state government’s commitment to unveiling more welfare packages for the workforce.

We are not going on strike, says Imo NLC

The Imo State NLC dismissed rumours of an impending strike, emphasising its commitment to maintaining industrial harmony.

Imo NLC Chairman, Comrade Uche Chigemezu, said: “We are not going on strike. We have signed an agreement with the state government.”

Chigemezu explained that the national body’s letter, which listed Imo State as one of the states embarking on strike was issued before the state government and the NLC finalised their agreement.

Enugu pays

Workers in Enugu State have been paid N80,000 offered by the state government, some workers confirmed yesterday.

A worker said: “The thing is that some of us were credited with additional N50,000 while others got N51,000. I think they called it wage adjustment. I’m happy that the money has started coming.”

Oyo NLC lauds Makinde

The Oyo State NLC lauded Governor Seyi Makinde for sustaining the negotiation on the consequential adjustments.

NLC Secretary Comrade Adebayo Aribatise said the decision to put on hold the strike was due to the robust discussion on a favourable consequential adjustment in accordance with the N80,000 wage.

Aribatise said the Union arrived at the decision during the enlarged meeting of the State Executive Council (SEC) and State Advisory Council (SAC) where the minimum wage implementation was extensively discussed.

Aribatise said: “The attention of the Council had been drawn to the news circulating about Oyo State NLC declaring strike commencing from Monday 2nd December.

“The SEC and SAC of the NLC Oyo State Council met on Thursday 28th November, and discussed extensively on the New Minimum Wage Implementation in Oyo State and later concluded that all forms of industrial actions be put on hold since the committee set up by the government is already having a robust discussion on a favourable consequential adjustment in accordance with the pronounced N80,000 and acceptable salary table for the entire workforce in the state.

“In view of this, the Oyo State Council of NLC will not be going on strike so as to give room for the committee on consequential adjustment to get the table completed with needed endorsement for implementation within the next couple of days.

“To this end, we wish to call on the entire workers of Oyo State to remain calm while the arrangement for a robust minimum wage table for Oyo State is concluded by the joint committee of the State Government and the Labour movement.”

The Special Adviser on Labour Matters to the Governor, Adebayo Titilola-Sodo, said the Labour leaders have shown commendable understanding by not embarking on strike as directive by the national leadership.

He said as a member of the negotiation committee deliberating the implementation of the consequential adjustments, both parties (Labour and government) have made a lot of progress on the deliberation by presenting different tables which are still undergoing negotiations.

NLC listed Ekiti in error, says commissioner

The Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, debunked the claims by the NLC that Ekiti was among the 14 states that had not concluded negotiations on the implementation of the minimum wage.

Olatunbosun said the inclusion of Ekiti on the list was made in error, recalling that Governor Biodun Oyebanji had approved N70,000 minimum wage and its consequential adjustment effective from December 1.

He said: “Ekiti have since signed the agreement, following the approval of Mr Governor more than a week ago and you are all living witness to it. If the national body has listed Ekiti as part of the states to embark on strike, that must have been done in error.

“With all due respect to the leaders of Labour union in Ekiti, I’m very sure they have communicated appropriately with the national leadership specifically on the N70,000 new minimum wage that is approved by law at the national level.

“In Ekiti, we didn’t limit at that. We have given other cadre of workers from level 2 to level 6 133% consequential increment while we give workers from level 7 to 10 110% increment.

“We also gave workers from level 12 to 14 90% consequential adjustment to their salary. And civil servants from level 15 to 16 got 77% while level 17 got 70% adjustment. We didn’t stop at that; we also considered the pensioners. We increased their monthly benefits with N20,000 across all cadres.”

The NLC chairman, Kolapo Olatunde, said the Oyebanji-led government has set machinery in motion for the implementation of N70,000 minimum wage and its consequential adjustments.

He said all documents have been forwarded to the national headquarters on the agreement reached with the state government for the implementation of the new minimum wage.

Uncertainty in Yobe

There is anxiety among workers in Yobe, following the delay in the implementation of the new wage.

The Commissioner for Finance, Mohammed Abatcha, however, reassured stakeholders that steps were being taken in that direction.

He said: “Paying workers is a top priority for this administration. We are working closely with the Assembly, and they are ready to approve the virement before the end of this month.”

Despite the assurance, civil servants are unconvinced.

Isa Abubakar, a civil servant, expressed skepticism about government’s ability to fulfil   its promise.

He said: “We hear all these announcements, but when it comes to action, things often don’t happen as planned. I’ll believe it when I see the new wage in my account. For now, I doubt the state will pay by December.”

 Uncertainty over strike in Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom NLC chairman  Sunny James has not issued any directive to workers  on the strike.

He did not respond to phone calls and text messages by our correspondent on the position of labour on the matter.

Governor Umo Eno, who had announced N70,000 as minimum wage for workers in the state, also set up an implementation committee.

The committee headed by the Head of Service, Effiong Essien, is yet to submit its report.

Cross River Govt, union reach agreement

In Cross River, a last-minute pact between the government and representatives of Labour pulled the brake on the planned workers’ strike.

The parties reached an agreement on the payment of N70, 000 as minimum wage. They also agreed on consequential adjustments across all levels, effective from December 1.

As at 9pm last night, government and Labour officials were still locked in a meeting over the issue. Details of the parley were sketchy, but the office of the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Mr. Gill Nsa, confirmed that an agreement had been reached.

One of the government’s representatives in the minimum wage Committee, Clarkson Otu, expressed hope that there would be no strike in the state.

Otu, who is Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour and Productivity, said: “We’re done this evening. We’re in the governor’s office to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

“You would get a fuller brief when we’re done signing the MoU. It is after we’ve signed that the Labour will make their statement on the strike. It is not within my purview to say whether they’ll go on strike or not.

Union leaders could not be reached as at 10pm last night.

 Katsina begins implementation

 The Katsina State Government has approved the implementation of N70,000 minimum wage for its civil servants from December 2024.

The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba-Faskari, made this known to reporters in Katsina,  the state capital at the weekend

He said that the new minimum wage would be given to workers under the payroll of the state government, Local Governments and the Local Education Authorities (LEAs).

The SSG explained that the agreement was sequel to an exhaustive and fruitful negotiations between representatives of the state government and the Labour unions.

Garba-Faskari reiterated the state government’s commitment to improving the welfare of its workers.

He described the decision as a testament to Governor Dikko Radda administration’s dedication to prioritising the needs of civil servants and fostering harmonious Labour relations.

Katsina NLC Chairman Hamisu Hussaini, assured workers that their rights and interests would continue to remain the union’s priority.

He urged the workers to continue to give their best for the progress of the state.

[TheNation]