There is growing tension among states yet to implement the N70,000 new minimum wage, following the December 1 strike notice given by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to workers in defaulting states to commence the indefinite strike. 

As of the end of October, 24 states had yet to start implementation, despite the Federal Government’s promise to organise labour for it. 

It will be recalled that during the meeting on October 17 in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, the government promised to summon a meeting of the economic council to impress governors on implementing the new minimum wage signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in August.

However, at the end of October, only 12 of the 36 state governments were implementing the new minimum wage.

The states include Edo, Anambra, Adamawa, Ogun, Delta, Ebonyi, Abia, Kebbi, Kogi, Borno, Gombe and Jigawa.

Anambra State, which promised to implement the minimum wage in October, did not pay but the government, it was gathered, added N40,000 to staff’s October salaries, pending when the templates for implementation of the new minimum would be agreed between the government and organised labour.

While states such as Lagos, Ondo, Bayelsa, Kano, Niger and Kaduna, have promised to start implementation this month (November), Osun, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, and Imo states, have not given any date to start implementation.

Similarly, Ekiti, Sokoto, Benue, Bauchi, Plateau, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Taraba, Yobe, and Katsina, have remained silent on the N70,000 new minimum wage.

Reacting to the development, one of the leaders of NLC said Organised Labour had given December 1 strike notice to make governance difficult for states unwilling to pay the new wage of N70,000.

An NLC official said that “organised labour, especially the NLC, is eagerly waiting for December 1 to take on recalcitrant states. 

“We want to use this medium to sound a very serious warning to states that do not want to pay. In fact, they do not have a choice. The earlier they conclude arrangements and start implementing, the better for them.

‘’It is a law and all of them are enjoying improved revenue from removal of fuel subsidy, among others.

‘’From our records, only about 12 states are implementing, while about six other states promised to pay in November. It is not about promises; it is about action by implementation. Mind you, the state must fully implement, not partial implementation.

‘’It is not about paying state public workers and not extending payment to local government employees. Once we get report of no compliance, we shall descend on such a state.

Recall that NLC had directed state councils where the N70,000 new minimum wage is not being implemented in full to begin an indefinite strike from December 1, 2024.

NLC in a communiqué by its President, Joe Ajaero at the end of its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in Port Harcourt Rivers State, said: “The NEC notes with deep frustration the persistent delay and outright refusal by some state governments to implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.

“This betrayal by certain governors and government officials across the country flies in the face of both legality and morality, as workers continue to be denied their rightful wages amid rising economic hardship.

‘’It is a blatant disregard for the law and the lives of millions of Nigerian workers who are being exploited by the very leaders who swore to protect them.

“The NEC, therefore, resolves to set up a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee that will, among others, commence a nationwide assessment, mobilization and sensitization campaign, educating workers and citizens on the need to resist this assault on their dignity and rights.

“Furthermore, the NLC shall initiate a series of industrial actions in all non-compliant states and shall not relent until the minimum wage is fully implemented across Nigeria. To this end, all state councils where the national minimum wage has not been fully implemented by the last day of November, 2024, have been directed to proceed on strike, beginning from the 1st day of December, 2024. Nigerian workers demand justice, and justice they shall have.”