Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC in Delta State have told the state government that the implementation of the new minimum wage of ₦70,000 should begin after receiving the template and consequential adjustment details from the federal government.
NLC Chairman in the state, Goodluck Ofobruku and his counterpart in TUC, Martins Bolum stated this at the 5th edition of the Journalist Hangout, tagged “Parley to Party,” organized by the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Asaba.
Ofobruku and Bolum mentioned that the unions have instructed state officials to halt the payment until the adjustment is out.
They emphasized that the labour unions have yet to receive the enabling circular and the official commencement date.
Ofobruku explained that despite the approval of the new minimum wage, the previous ₦30,000 minimum wage expired on April 19, 2024, with the new wage expected to take effect from May 1, 2024.
He reassured workers that the funds for the new minimum wage have already been budgeted and arrears would be paid once the circular is received, ”but without the necessary federal directive, we told the state government to hold off on implementation to ensure the proper process is followed.
“We asked the government to step down the issue of the new minimum wage until we see the template. As we speak, we’ve been informed that the salary adjustments for levels 1 to 5 are ready while levels 6 and above will be finalized in about two weeks.
“However, some of us objected to this phased approach because there has never been a time where implementation starts with the junior cadre first. If we start with the junior staff, it could lead to discrepancies where a Level 1 Step 1 worker earns ₦70,000, while a Level 5 worker earns ₦100,000, and a Level 8 officer earns less than ₦80,000. This could cause demotivation among workers,” Comrade Ofobruku explained.
While saying the delay was in the best interest of workers, he further assured workers that the NLC is working tirelessly to ensure arrears are paid, urging them to remain patient.
“Workers should not be afraid or troubled because we are working round the clock to get arrears for workers. They should just believe in us as they believe in God,” he added.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Delta State NUJ, Churchill Oyowe, expressed gratitude to the labour leaders for attending the event, noting that their presence highlights the critical role of the media in bridging the gap between the government and the workforce.
He emphasized that at this pivotal moment when the implementation of the new minimum wage is a significant concern, the insights and experiences shared by labour leaders are invaluable in helping journalists gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing efforts to ensure fair and just remuneration for workers in Delta state.
Oyowe also stated that the Journalist’s hangout serves as a platform to promote unity, dialogue and collaboration within the profession.
He added that it is not only an opportunity to socialize but also a space for meaningful discussions that address the role of journalists in shaping the broader society.
