Workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Cross River, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Kaduna, and Zamfara states have started a strike today.
According to reports, this action follows the failure of the state governments to fully implement the agreed N70,000 minimum wage.
Efforts by the states to avoid the strike have been ongoing, with implementation committees meeting labour leaders. However, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in these states confirmed their readiness to proceed with the industrial action.
The FCT NLC directed workers in the six Area Councils to begin an indefinite strike on December 1. This was stated in a letter signed by FCT NLC Chairman, Stephen Knabayi. He criticized the lack of response from area council leaders, despite earlier demands.
In Nasarawa State, NLC Chairman Ismaila Okoh said workers would strike today if the N70,500 minimum wage agreement is not signed.
“We have notified all our members to embark on strike tomorrow (today) because of the non-implementation of the national minimum wage in the state,” he said.
The Kaduna State Government announced it had already started paying N72,000 as the minimum wage. However, NLC Chairman Ayuba Suleiman stated the strike would still proceed as directed by the union’s national leadership.
Governor Uba Sani’s spokesperson, Ibraheem Musa, argued that the state had fulfilled the minimum wage law and called on the NLC to show understanding regarding consequential adjustments, citing limited state revenue.
In Ebonyi State, NLC Chairman Dr. Oguguo Egwu accused the governor of failing to negotiate adjustments after initially announcing the new wage in September.
In Zamfara, NLC Secretary Ahmed Abubakar said workers had not received the new wage, leaving no option but to strike.
Cross River NLC Chairman Gregory Ulayi also declared an indefinite strike, though reports suggest the state government and labor unions reached a late-night agreement to pay the N70,000 wage.
