Minimum Wage Payment Delay Sparks Growing Frustration Among workers

President Bola Tinubu signed the N70,000 National Minimum Wage Act on July 29, 2024, after a long negotiation with organised labour and most states are yet to implement the law.

Adamawa State has taken concrete steps, paying its workers the new wage this month, while Edo State had already raised its minimum wage to N70,000 before the president’s assent.

Some States, like Zamfara, Kano, and Ondo, have set up committees to work out modalities for payment, while others, like Sokoto and Cross River, have not taken any official steps.

Other States have set up committees to discuss implementation, but progress is slow.

This is a result of the Federal government’s (FG) failure to release a consequential adjustment template.

Many states are waiting for the FG circular on consequential adjustments before commencing implementation.

Labour leaders cannot negotiate with State Governments without this template as it guides their negotiations.

Federal civil servants are also waiting for the implementation of the minimum wage, which was approved in July but has yet to be reflected in their salaries.

Labour leaders are calling for immediate implementation to alleviate the suffering of workers amidst the country’s economic challenges.

They have given the federal government a September deadline to start paying the new wage.

They warn that delaying the implementation may lead to further anxiety and frustration among workers.