NLC shuts LTV, radio stations over oracle, minimum wage discrimination

By Halimah Balogun

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Lagos State chapter has shut down operations of Lagos Television (LTV), Eko FM/Radio Lagos and Lagos Traffic Radio to protest the non-implementation of the N85,000 minimum wage and non-inclusion in the Oracle database system used by the government.

NLC, in collaboration with workers of the  broadcast stations, united under the banner of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), decried the government’s failure to implement the minimum wage, which has been paid to other state employees since December 2024.

The workers blocked the entrance and exit of the broadcast complex to begin the three-day strike. They carried placards with various inscriptions like ‘Give us Oracle and take revenue generated’;, ‘Oracle is the answer, it’s all we need’; ‘Pay us Minimum Wage’, among others.

Chairman of NLC, Funmi Sessi, lamented the ‘unfair treatment’ of staff at the stations, compared to other government employees. She expressed disappointment that they are missing out on benefits that their counterparts take for granted.

Sessi said: “We are here this morning to support workers of government in communication departments – LTV, Eko FM, Traffic Radio – showing their displeasure against the injustice being meted 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 approved and agreed by law. This is an injustice to the workers. The managements have been given the mandate to pay the minimum wage as announced by the Lagos State government. They are Lagos State workers.

“Since the government began implementation of the N85,000 minimum wage last November, they have never collected the minimum wage. They have not also enjoyed the three-month arrears and 13th month salary.  Why the disparity for these set of workers even in the face of this hardship?

“Their union had engaged the management previously and gave a-21-day notice to dialogue but no result. And 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. ”

Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Adeyeye Ajayi noted that the union is fully aware of the demonstration and has been working closely with RATTAWU. According to him, the unions had issued a series of ultimatums to the government, including a 10-day, 21-day, and final seven-day ultimatum, calling for the integration of workers into the Oracle Database, payment of the minimum wage, and improved welfare.

Ajayi emphasized that the welfare of union members is paramount, noting that they have thousands of dependents to cater for. He urged the government to become more media-friendly and attend to the needs of the media.

Chairman of RATTAWU Ishola Adejumo said the strike is to press the government to pay the approved minimum wage which has been denied to the workers despite generating revenue for the state through their work.

Adejumo emphasised that the current system, where salaries are paid based on Internally- Generated Revenue (IGR), is no longer sustainable. “For the past 12 years, we’ve been demanding for migration of the workers here to Oracle which will ensure and guarantee them a regular payment of their salary along with other counterparts in the ministry”, he said.

The union leader argued that media workers provide essential services, promote government policies and programs, and therefore should not be shortchanged. “Why should we be shortchanged? We are calling on the governor and all the agencies concerned to migrate workers here to Oracle. Once they migrate them, we disperse. Every problem will be solved”, he added.

Adejumo warned that if the government fails to respond positively, the union would embark on an indefinite strike. “This is just a three-day warning strike. If we stretch out and they didn’t do the needful, we will restrategise and go on indefinite strike. No retreat, no surrender,” he warned

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