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TUC Issues New Warning to State Governments on Minimum Wage Implementation

Published by Tope Fakinlede on November 27th, 2024.

TUC Issues New Warning to State Governments on Minimum Wage Implementation

By Joan Nwagwu

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has issued a fresh warning to state governments that have yet to implement the new minimum wage and its corresponding adjustments, urging them to take action to prevent potential industrial unrest.

Mr. Festus Osifo, President of the TUC, made this statement following the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja. Osifo highlighted that the NEC had expressed concern over the slow progress of minimum wage implementation in several states, as well as ongoing issues affecting workers and vulnerable Nigerians.

While some states have made significant progress, with up to 80% of the necessary adjustments already in place, others are lagging behind. Osifo pointed out that states like Zamfara and Cross River remain notably behind in the implementation process.

“As a result, organized labor in Cross River is planning a two-day warning strike. If the state government does not respond appropriately, this could escalate into an indefinite strike. A similar situation is likely in Zamfara,” Osifo warned. “We urge these state governments to urgently engage in dialogue and resolve the issue of the consequential wage adjustments.”

Osifo emphasized that the minimum wage debate goes beyond merely announcing new figures, such as N30,000, N80,000, or N90,000. The real challenge, he explained, lies in the proper implementation of the necessary wage adjustments to ensure alignment with the new national standards.