Although the new national minimum wage of N70,000 may not significantly improve the welfare of the least paid Nigerian worker on account of rising inflation and prevailing economic hardship, the delay by some state governments in the implementation of the new wage is uncalled for. Following the inability of some state governments to adopt and implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed to escalate the industrial action in the affected states.
Some state chapters of the NLC had on December 2, commenced strike to demand the implementation of the N70,000 new minimum wage signed into law some months ago by President Bola Tinubu. The strike had reportedly affected workers in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo and Nasarawa. Others included Kaduna, Katsina, Oyo, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
As a result of the strike embarked upon by workers in Ebonyi State to demand for the implementation of the new minimum wage, the state governor, Francis Nwifuru, had threatened to sack the striking workers. The Chairman of the NLC in Ebonyi State, Egwu Oguguo, had accused the governor of unilaterally pronouncing a wage award of N75,000 to workers in Grade Levels 1and 2 and N40,000 to workers in Grade levels 3-16, which contravened the traditional procedures of implementing the minimum wage. The labour leader also explained that it was based on this that the workers embarked on one week warning strike.
On the contrary, Governor Nwifuru claimed that he implemented the new minimum wage in line with the National Minimum Wage Law passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Tinubu. The President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajero has spoken in defence of the strike embarked by workers in the affected states to demand the implementation of the new national minimum wage law. According to him, “the workers’ strike was a lawful response to the states’ failure to comply with minimum wage law, which was signed into law several months ago.”
When Nigerian workers, government and the private sector agreed on the new minimum wage of N70,000, it was highly welcomed by all the stakeholders, including the 36 state governors. And with enhanced allocation from the federal government following the removal of fuel subsidy, it is sad that some governors are still deploying delay tactics in implementation of the new wage, which currently cannot sustain an average Nigerian worker in a month.
Almost all the governors have announced minimum wage of not below N70,000, the major problem is its seamless implementation. It is good that some state governors have announced a new minimum wage of N80,000, N90,000 and above, the reality on ground is that they have not been implemented. Of what use is a new minimum wage that could not be implemented?
The unfolding scenario over the poor implementation of the new minimum wage is not good for Nigerian workers. It is also not good for the state governments. It can lead to a nationwide industrial action if the matter is not quickly addressed. The fact remains that the new minimum wage of N70,000 is not enough for an average Nigerian worker considering the rising inflation and high cost of essential food items. Even if the new wage is increased to N100,000, it will still not buy a 50kg bag of rice.
In view of rising cost of living, we call on the governors to commence the full implementation of the new minimum wage law with consequential adjustments. We particularly urge the governors in states affected by the ongoing warning strike to dialogue with the workers in their states and settle the matter amicably. It is worth reminding the governors that workers need not embark on strike before they will start the implementation of the new minimum wage.
Moreover, the nation’s economy is so fragile to support any nationwide workers’ strike at the moment. Therefore, we enjoin the governors to drastically reduce the cost of governance and embark on prudent management of scarce states’ resources. They can boost their internally generated revenue by investing so many resources in agriculture. The agricultural sector remains the low-hanging fruit that can stimulate the economy, which many governors have ignored. We decry the poor implementation of the new minimum wage and urge the governors and other stakeholders, including the private sector, to ensure a seamless implementation of the new minimum wage policy.