2021: NLC To Embark On Industrial Strike Over Unpaid New Minimum Wage

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba on Friday threatened that the union will embark on industrial action in states that are yet to implement the new minimum wage and those owing workers' salaries.

AllNews learned that the President of the Union who made this known in a New Year message noted that up till now, some states have refused to pay the new national minimum wage.

The statement said, “Accordingly, we call on all our state councils still struggling with their state governments on the payment of the national minimum wage and consequential salary increase and those whose state governments have unilaterally cut wages and are owing workers salary arrears to prepare for mass industrial action and protests this New Year.” 

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The NLC also called on the federal government to “make possible the enabling environment that would foster job creation and full employment.”

According to Wabba, unemployment and poverty are perfect recipes for the breakdown of law and order.

This online news platform had earlier reported that the Ekiti State chapter of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and other labour unions in the state said they are set to mobilize a peaceful protest to demand payment of minimum wage and consequential adjustment to public sector workers in January.

The organized Labour unions who resolved to mobilize the protest in the first week of January 2021 comprise of Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Council, and Joint Negotiating Council.

The labour demanded that the Governor of the state, Kayode Fayemi must pay all the promotion and salary arrears to all categories of workers as negotiated, to avert labour unrest in Ekiti.

AllNews learned that the union in a meeting held on Tuesday insist on the payment of the minimum wage, as agreed between the state government and organized labour last Tuesday, and the implementation effective from January.

This online news platform understands that on Thursday, trouble ensued when the labour accused the state government of bringing in a fresh proposal as against the one earlier agreed upon and billed to be signed that day following which the organized labour reverted to congress on Tuesday.