Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Lagos State chapter, on Monday, shut down normal operations of Lagos Television, Eko FM/Radio Lagos and Lagos Traffic Radio to protest the non-implementation of the N85,000 minimum wage.
‘We aren’t just a band of blind musicians; we have journalists, teachers and computer…0:00 / 0:00
NLC, in collaboration with workers of the three broadcast stations under the aegis of Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria, RATTAWU, picketed the station, also demanded to be placed on Oracle System.
The workers, few weeks ago, notified the management of the three stations of their readiness to down tools once the stations failed to implement the minimum wage being implemented by the Lagos State Government.
This morning they blocked the entrance and exit to the Agidingbi complex of the broadcast stations, displaying placards with different inscriptions, such as: “Give us Oracle and take revenue generated”, “Oracle is the answer, it’s all we need”, “Pay us Minimum Wage,” among others.
The workers were led in their solidary songs by state Chairman of NLC, Comrade Funmi Sessi.
Speaking with newsmen, Sessi said: “We started in a peaceful manner, and we are going to end it in a peaceful manner. No body is going to push us the wall.
“I assure everybody that we shall be peaceful because we are Lagosians.
“We are here this morning you can see the workers of government in communication departments that is LTV, Eko FM, Traffic Radio, all here to show their displeasure against the injustice that is been meted out to them.
“They work to the best of their abilities and now at the receiving end by being shortchanged. And not receiving the new minimum wage as being approved and agreed by the law set by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“This is an injustice to the set of workers. The managements have been given the mandate to pay the minimum wage has been announced by the Lagos State Government. They are Lagos State workers.
“Since the government has commenced implementation of the N85,000 minimum wage since November they have never collected the minimum wage.
“The arrears of the three months and the 13th months; they have not been enjoying the benefits. So, why this disparity for these set of workers even in the face of this hardship.
“The leadership of their union had engaged the management previously. They gave a-21-day notice to dialogue.
“After several engagements with managements, they gave 14 days, then seven days. They followed due process, yet there was no resolution. Now when they saw that the workers are resolute to fight for their right, they are saying sheathe your sword.
“Though, the governor has been doing a lot and showing empathy to workers, we are hereby appealing to him to prevail on the management to do the needful and avoid unnecessary disruption to operations in the interest of the majority.
“We will sustain this struggle until the government listens and takes appropriate action on these demands.”
