Local government workers across Borno State on Friday staged a protest in Maiduguri over the non-implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage by the state government.
The demonstration, organised by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), formed part of activities marking this year’s International Workers’ Day.
Speaking during the protest, the Borno State NLC Chairman, Yusuf Inuwa, said local government employees were the worst hit by the current economic hardship in the country. He explained that workers took to the streets to celebrate Workers’ Day in protest of poor welfare conditions.
Inuwa noted that while the national leadership of organised labour had negotiated the N70,000 minimum wage, which is now law across the country, many local government workers in Borno have yet to benefit from its implementation.
He acknowledged the state government’s efforts in paying the new wage to primary school teachers and healthcare workers but expressed concern that core local government staff remain excluded.
According to him, the delay in implementation has worsened the living conditions of affected workers, stressing that their current salaries are insufficient to meet basic needs amid rising inflation.
He called on the government to address the issue urgently, emphasizing that all workers deserve equal treatment under the law.
