NLC Directs Workers in Yobe, 14 Other States to Commence Strike
By Baba Dan’Iya
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed workers in 14 states, including Yobe, to embark on a nationwide strike starting Sunday, Dec. 1, over the non-implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage.
Other states to be affected by the industrial action are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Oyo, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
In a letter dated Nov. 29, 2024, and addressed to all affiliate unions, the NLC said the decision was taken following a resolution by its Central Working Committee (CWC) in Kano.
The union said the affected states had failed to comply with the new minimum wage law signed by President Bola Tinubu in July.
“Recall that NEC of 8th November, 2024 in Port Harcourt directed that industrial action to compel the implementation of the new national minimum wage should commence in any state that has not complied by the end of November 2024,” the letter read.
“This position was reinforced by the CWC in Kano on 27th of November, 2024. Following the above, it is our information that your state has not commenced the said implementation as workers are still paid on the old structure and there is no subsisting agreement to show the date of commencement of the implementation.
“You are hereby directed as a matter of utmost seriousness commence the implementation of the said, NEC and CWC directive, effective Monday, December 2nd, 2924,” the letter added.
The NLC warned its affiliates that failure to comply with the directive would have serious consequences.
Independent News Reporters report that Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has approved the implementation of a N70,000 minimum wage for state civil servants, effective December 2024.
