The Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and workers on Monday shut down normal operations of Lagos Television, Eko FM/Radio Lagos, and Lagos Traffic Radio to protest the non-implementation of the N85,000 minimum wage by the management of the stations.
In collaboration with workers of the three broadcast stations under the aegis of the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), the NLC picketed the stations and demanded to be placed on the Oracle System.
A few weeks ago, the workers notified the management of their readiness to down tools if the stations failed to implement the minimum wage mandated by the Lagos State Government.
Early in the morning, the workers blocked the entrance and exit to the Agidingbi complex of the broadcast stations, displaying placards with various inscriptions, such as:
“Give us Oracle and take the revenue generated, Oracle is the answer, it’s all we need, Pay us Minimum Wage,” among others.
The workers were led in their solidarity songs by the state Chairman of NLC, Comrade Funmi Sessi. Speaking with newsmen, Sessi said: >”We started peacefully, and we are going to end it peacefully. Nobody is going to push us through the wall. I assure everybody that we shall be peaceful because we are Lagosians.”
Sessi continued: “We are here this morning you can see the workers of government in communication departments that is LTV, Eko FM, and Traffic Radio, all here to show their displeasure against the injustice that has been meted out to them.
“This is the situation they do their work to the best of their abilities and now at the receiving end by being shortchanged. And not receiving the new Minimum wage as being approved and agreed upon by the law set by the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
She further emphasized: “This is an injustice to the set of workers. The management has been given the mandate to pay the minimum wage as announced by the Lagos State Government.
“They are Lagos State workers. Since the government has commenced implementation of the N85,000 minimum wage since November they have never collected the minimum wage.
” The arrears of the three months and the 13th month they have not been enjoying the benefits. So, why is this disparity for this set of workers even in the face of this hardship?”
The leadership of their union had engaged the management previously, gare iving a 21-day notice to dialogue.
After several engagements with management, they gave 14 days and 7 days, following due process, yet there was no resolution.
Now, when they saw that the workers were resolute to fight for their rights, they were told to sheath their swords.
Sessi concluded: “Though, the governor has been doing a lot and showing empathy to workers.
“We are hereby appealing to him to prevail on the management to do the needful and avoid unnecessary disruption to operations in the interest of the majority.
“We will sustain this struggle until the government listens and takes appropriate action on these demands.”
