Labour Protests FG’s Retroactive Minimum Wage Implementation from July

Labour unions express dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s decision to retroactively implement the new minimum wage from July 2024, despite earlier promises of a May start date

Labour unions have voiced their dissatisfaction over the retroactive minimum wage implementation announced by the Federal Government. The decision to backdate the wage increase to July 2024 has sparked criticism, with unions emphasizing that the government initially promised to begin the adjustment from May. This has added to the frustration felt by workers already struggling with rising living costs.

The retroactive minimum wage implementation was formalized in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) following a meeting of the Committee on Consequential Adjustments in Salaries for civil servants. The government had agreed to set July 29, 2024, as the effective date for the new wage structure. However, this decision has drawn backlash from labour leaders, who argue that the wage adjustment should have commenced earlier, as previously announced by the Minister of State for Labour.

A prominent figure in the Nigerian Labour Congress, Benson Upah, condemned the retroactive minimum wage implementation, labeling it as unfair to the workforce. Similarly, the Trade Union Congress, through its Vice President Timmy Etim, expressed discontent, reiterating that the government had initially committed to a May start date during the May Day celebration.

As economic challenges deepen, workers are growing increasingly disillusioned with the delayed implementation of the retroactive minimum wage. Civil servants from across the country have shared stories of financial hardship, highlighting how the delayed wage adjustment has exacerbated their struggles. Some feel that the government is indifferent to their plight, particularly as inflation and the cost of fuel continue to rise, making daily survival even more difficult.

In Ogun State, public school teacher Ms. Oladele, a single mother of three, echoed the sentiments of many workers. She described the government’s delay as a “height of insensitivity,” pointing to the economic hardship brought on by the removal of fuel subsidies and the depreciation of the naira. Her experience is not isolated, as workers nationwide have reported similar struggles while waiting for the retroactive minimum wage implementation to take effect.

Despite the wage adjustment being formally set for July, civil servants have expressed frustration that the Federal Government continues to delay concrete action, raising concerns about the sustainability of their earnings in an increasingly inflationary economy.