Borno LG workers protest unpaid minimum wage

Workers in Borno State, Nigeria, took to the streets on Friday to voice their frustration over the state government's failure to implement the N70,000 minimum wage. Organized by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the protest underscored the severe economic challenges confronting Nigerian workers, who are described as among the poorest in the nation.

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You may like to know why we are celebrating our Workers’ Day on the street today. We all know the situation we find ourselves in this country. Nigerian workers are the poorest citizens in this country. Therefore, we chose to celebrate our Workers’ Day on the street.

Yusuf Inuwa, the state NLC Chairman, addressed journalists during the demonstration, emphasizing that while the national leadership had negotiated the N70,000 minimum wage into law two years prior, its implementation remains a significant issue for local government staff in Borno. He acknowledged the state government's efforts in paying primary school teachers and healthcare workers but expressed disappointment that many local government employees were still excluded.

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Last two years, the national leadership of organised labour negotiated the N70,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers. That makes it a law for all states to pay their workers.

The core of the problem, as highlighted by the NLC, lies in the "local government status" and the perceived "over-bloated number of employees." The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Modu Alhaji Mustapha, revealed that Borno's 27 local government areas collectively employ around 90,000 staff. This figure is notably high when compared to larger states like Kano, which has a significantly larger population but a leaner workforce.

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Here in Borno, we negotiated our own. However, local government status is the main issue we face here in Borno State. The teachers’ and primary healthcare workers’ minimum wage has been covered, but it remains the main local government staff. They are yet to be captured.

The union leaders argue that the current salary levels are insufficient to sustain workers for even a week, leading to the rallying cry of "enough is enough." They stress the principle of solidarity, stating, "an injury to one is an injury to all," as they share the same market and face the same hardships due to inflation. The protest serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for fair wages and the economic realities faced by many Nigerian workers.

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For us, an injury to one is an injury to all. We go to the same market with them; hardship and inflation are affecting us all. Their salary cannot even sustain them for one week. We say enough is enough.