The ongoing strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has entered its 11th day, with negotiations deadlocked over the proposed timeline for implementing the N70,000 minimum wage.
Abdullahi Kabir, Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the FCT, disclosed on Tuesday that Area Council Chairmen have proposed a January 2025 implementation date, a suggestion the unions have firmly rejected. The workers are demanding the new wage be implemented by December 2024.
“There is a discussion ongoing with the Area Council Chairmen. They are appealing that implementation be deferred to January, but the union insists it must start in December,” Kabir explained.
He further highlighted the financial implications of the delay, noting that pushing implementation to January would increase wage arrears to five months, whereas a December start would reduce arrears to four months.
“The basic issue is the chairmen want to implement in January. We are saying it should be December. If implemented in January, arrears will accumulate to five months, but a December implementation will bring it down to four months,” he added.
Kabir also pointed out other unresolved issues affecting local government workers in the FCT. These include the lack of peculiar allowances, disparities in pay compared to Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) staff, and delays in implementing the 25% CONHESS and CONMESS allowances, as well as wage awards.
“It is not only about the minimum wage. There are peculiar allowances that FCTA staff receive but local government workers don’t, despite facing the same economic realities. Issues like 25% CONHESS and CONMESS and wage awards remain unresolved,” he said.
Kabir emphasized the unique administrative structure of the FCT, where the Minister acts on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who serves as the FCT’s de facto Governor.
“The FCT is different from other states. The Minister represents the President as the Governor of the FCT. We are supposed to benefit from all the allowances and adjustments other federal workers receive,” he stated.
Kabir reiterated that the strike would persist until the NLC issues a counter-directive.
“The strike remains in effect until the NLC provides a clear directive or agreement,” he said.
Efforts to reach the FCT NLC Chairman, Stephen Knabayi, for comments were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages at the time of filing this report.
