The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is on the brink of a shutdown as labour unions in the region have vowed to halt operations by the end of November if the N70,000 minimum wage law is not implemented. This comes as part of a directive from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for a nationwide strike set to commence on December 1, 2024.
The wage increment, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2024, was expected to take effect in October. However, the FCT and seven other states—Zamfara, Sokoto, Osun, Cross River, Imo, Plateau, and Taraba—have yet to approve and implement the new minimum wage. The delay has fueled discontent among workers, who are grappling with the rising cost of living.
Stephen Knabayi, the Chairman of the FCT Council of the NLC, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the FCT administration’s handling of the issue. According to Knabayi, numerous attempts by labour unions to engage with the FCT administration have been met with silence, leaving workers feeling ignored and undervalued.
“FCT has not implemented the minimum wage. We have tried to meet with the FCT administration, but that has not been possible. And we are going to follow the directive of the NLC and shut down everywhere by November 30. Even the N70,000 minimum wage is not enough, and it is unfair,” Knabayi lamented.
He emphasized that the non-implementation is especially unfair considering the escalating cost of living, which has made it increasingly difficult for workers to meet their basic needs.
Further compounding the problem is the perceived inaccessibility of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, since his inauguration in August 2023. Labour leaders, including the chairman of the FCT chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Audu Akogwu, expressed frustration over their inability to secure a meeting with the Minister.
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“Immediately they resumed office, we sent a letter from the TUC, requesting a courtesy visit. Till today, there has been no reply. That’s the only issue we have with the present Minister of the FCT,” Akogwu said.
Despite the challenges, Akogwu noted that the FCT administration has generally aligned with federal government policies regarding wage awards and arrears.
“Any moment the federal government pays anything, FCT pays the same thing. They paid the N35,000 wage award, and all the salary arrears, they have cleared. I do not think there is any formal negotiation with the administration or the FCT. Whatever the FG is paying is what they are paying,” he explained.
The failure to implement the minimum wage highlights broader issues of governance, communication, and prioritization of workers’ welfare across the country. While the federal government has shown some commitment by clearing wage awards and arrears, the delays at the state and FCT levels underscore persistent gaps in administration and policy execution.
Labour unions argue that the N70,000 minimum wage itself is insufficient given the current economic realities, where inflation and other economic pressures have eroded the purchasing power of Nigerian workers.
With the strike deadline looming, all eyes are on the FCT administration and other non-compliant states to address workers’ demands. Failure to act could result in significant disruptions to essential services and further deepen the disconnect between government policies and the people they are meant to serve.
As the December 1 strike date approaches, the unresolved issues surrounding the minimum wage implementation serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for transparent dialogue and accountability in governance.