The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly condemned the refusal of 15 states to pay the N35,000 wage award to their workers, describing it as “the height of insensitivity” and a clear demonstration of governors’ disdain for workers’ welfare.
The Federal Government had introduced the wage award to alleviate the economic hardship faced by workers, but many states have failed to implement it, leaving workers in difficult circumstances.
Some states have paid partial wages, ranging from N10,000 to N40,000, while others have stopped payment altogether. The NLC has accused governors of diverting funds meant for workers’ salaries to other projects, calling it “unfortunate” and “insensitive”.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier appealed to state governors to pay the wage award, but many have yet to comply. The NLC has urged governors to prioritize workers’ welfare and pay the wage award, emphasizing that workers’ salaries are not a charity but an investment in the state’s productivity.
The union has vowed to continue fighting for workers’ rights and demands that governors prioritize their welfare. The refusal of states to pay the wage award has left many workers struggling to cope with economic hardship, and the NLC has warned that this may lead to industrial action if not addressed promptly.
The NLC’s condemnation of states’ refusal to pay the wage award highlights the ongoing struggle for workers’ rights in Nigeria and the need for governors to prioritize workers’ welfare.
