Organised labour in Nasarawa State has issued a three-week ultimatum to Governor Abdullahi Sule, demanding the immediate implementation of the N70,000 new minimum wage for workers in the state.
The labour union also called for the payment of a backlog of workers’ entitlements, which have accumulated to approximately N250 million.
Ismaila Okoh, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Nasarawa State, delivered the ultimatum during a press briefing in Lafia, the state capital on Thursday.
The announcement followed an emergency meeting between labour leaders and workers in the state.
“We are giving the Nasarawa State government until the end of August to start paying the new national minimum wage and other entitlements of workers in the state in order to avert an indefinite strike,” Okoh declared.
He stated that civil servants in Nasarawa State have made significant sacrifices for the development of the state and urged the government to act swiftly to enhance workers’ welfare.
Okah warned that failure to meet those demands would lead to a statewide strike, potentially crippling essential services.
When reached for comment, the state’s Head of Civil Service, Abigail Waya, acknowledged that the government has yet to finalize plans for the implementation of the new minimum wage.
However, she reassured workers of the state government’s commitment to improving their welfare.
Labour gives Nasarawa govt three-week ultimatum on N70,000 minimum wage