Strike: Lagos Workers Demand N50,000 Minimum Wage

Government workers in Lagos State under the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) are demanding N50,000 as minimum wage, saying that even if other state governors agree to pay the federal government approved N30,000, workers in the state would not accept such ridiculous amount.

This is even as the NLC National President, Ayuba Wabba has warned Nigerians to be ready for a prolonged strike action as government has failed to implement the N30,000 minimum wage agreement.

Speaking at a rally to mark the World Decent Work Day celebration in Lagos yesterday, Lagos State NLC Chairman Agnes Funmi Sessi stressed that if other states pay N30,000 minimum wage, Lagos workers would not take less than N50,000.

The union leader said this is because Lagos workers faced a lot of hazard every day, while the state is also special.

“We, workers in Lagos State, will not take anything less than N50,000 as minimum wage. This is because workers face lots of hazards. There should be allowance for transportation, rail and many other things. The roads are bad. There is no electricity. The living condition is bad.

Also speaking at the event, the NLC National President represented by the union’s Deputy General Secretary, Ismail Bello said that if government failed to address the issue on or before October 31, the labour movement would take action.  The union leader urged the government to agree to consequential adjustment of the salary and begin payment immediately.

The workers, as early as 7 am, gathered at “Under Bridge” in Ikeja, the state capital, from where they marched to the House of Assembly.

Bello said government’s dillydallying on the matter had strained its relations with labour, adding that this could cause a major national strike in a matter of days

“Accordingly, we would use this opportunity to appeal to the government to do the needful by urgently commencing the implementation to what we agreed on. We also would like to use this same opportunity to urge workers to fully mobilise for a prolonged national strike and enforce their right.

“This strike action becomes the inevitable last option for us and we crave the understanding and support of all Nigerians and businesses.

“We would want to assure workers that their labour, patience and diligence will not be in vain and that this leadership remains committed to giving all that it takes to ensure that they get just and fair wages due to them in a decent work environment appropriate to their well-being,” he said.