The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress issued a stern warning on Monday, threatening to halt activities in states that resist implementing the new minimum wage once enacted by the federal government.
Akeem Lasisi, Chairman of the Ogun State Council of TUC, conveyed this message to journalists in Abeokuta.
With the nationwide strike initiated by the NLC and TUC over the federal government’s stance on the minimum wage, full compliance was observed in Ogun State, with courts, banks, government offices, public schools, and IBEDC all closed.
Lasisi emphasized that any state governor refusing to implement the new wage would face intense resistance, affirming the unions’ unwavering stance until the federal government accedes to their demands.
“Workers should not perish at the expense of the nation to develop, we are the ones that dictate the development of the nation, that is why we believe that workers should not be allowed to go into suffering and something urgent should be done to ensure workers in the country get their own benefits.
“For any state that refuses to pay the ongoing minimum wage, it will be fire-for-fire because it is backed by a law, it is a law and it must be obeyed by every citizen of the country. Note that labour is under exclusive list, whatever happens at the national bounce on everybody”, Lasisi said.
On his part, the state chairman of NLC, Hameed Benco, said the strike would continue until the Federal government agrees to their demands.
He urged the government to address the workers’ plight and also reverse the electricity tariff hike.
