Local government workers across Borno State on Friday protested the non-implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage by the state government.
The protest, held in Maiduguri, was organised by the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, as part of activities marking this year’s International Workers’ Day.
Addressing journalists during the protest, the state NLC Chairman, Yusuf Inuwa, said local government workers were among the most affected by the prevailing economic hardship in the country.
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He said workers chose to mark Workers’ Day on the streets to draw attention to their plight.
“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,” he said.
Inuwa acknowledged that the state government had implemented the new wage for primary school teachers and healthcare workers, but said local government staff were yet to benefit.
“Here in Borno, teachers and primary healthcare workers have been covered, but local government staff are yet to be captured. An injury to one is an injury to all,” he said.
He described the situation as unacceptable, saying the affected workers could no longer cope with rising inflation and living costs.
