The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has urged state governments yet to implement the new minimum wage and its consequential adjustments to act swiftly to avoid industrial action. Festus Osifo, TUC President, made this call during a press briefing held after the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.
Osifo expressed concerns over the slow pace of implementation in some states, noting that while some states had made significant progress with up to 80% of adjustments in place, others, like Zamfara and Cross River, remained far behind.
“But there are still some states like Zamfara and Cross River that are still backward, and that is why today the organised labour in Cross River is organising a two-day warning strike. If the government is not responsive, that two days will now escalate to an indefinite strike. In Zamfara, similar thing may likely happen. We are calling on them to quickly get to the table, have a conversation and reach a conclusion on what the consequential adjustment should be,” Osifo said.
He clarified that the minimum wage issue was not just about announcing figures such as ₦30,000 or ₦80,000 but about ensuring the proper implementation of wage adjustments to align with the new national standard.
Osifo also highlighted the critical need for state governments to engage with labour unions to resolve outstanding issues and prioritize the welfare of workers. “There are some states where there is no conversation whatsoever about the implementation of the new minimum wage. We call on these states to implement the new national minimum wage, along with the consequential adjustments so that workers can start benefiting,” he stated.
The TUC president further warned about the economic impact of rising taxes, urging authorities to reconsider proposed tax increases. He noted that additional tax burdens could lead to widespread evasion at a time when workers were already grappling with delayed wage adjustments.
Speaking on the recent GDP report, Osifo pointed out that while growth was being driven largely by the services sector, especially banking, the government needed to incentivize investment in agriculture, manufacturing, and real estate to create more jobs. He urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to introduce policies that encourage banks to lend more to the real sector of the economy, which could reduce unemployment and boost productivity.
Osifo’s warning comes amidst the backdrop of labour strikes, which have a significant impact on the economy. Prolonged industrial actions disrupt productivity, reduce investor confidence, and lead to financial losses across various sectors. States delaying wage adjustments risk further economic strain and social unrest, making it imperative to address these issues promptly. “This is about the livelihoods of Nigerians. We need to ensure workers are engaged, and the economy grows inclusively,” Osifo concluded.