Workers at Lagos Television, Eko FM/Radio Lagos, and Lagos Traffic Radio began a three-day strike yesterday, demanding the implementation of the N85,000 minimum wage and inclusion in the state’s Oracle payment database.
The strike, spearheaded by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), saw employees block entrances and exits to the broadcasting complex. Protesters carried placards with messages such as “Give us Oracle and take revenue generated,” “Oracle is the answer, it’s all we need,” and “Pay us Minimum Wage.”
Chairman of RATTAWU Lagos, Ishola Adejumo, explained that the strike aims to pressure the state government to pay the approved minimum wage and end the reliance on internally generated revenue (IGR) for salary payments.
“For over 12 years, we have been demanding the migration of workers to the Oracle system, which will guarantee regular payment of salaries and place them on par with counterparts in other ministries,” Adejumo stated.
The union leader emphasized that the current IGR-based salary payment system is unsustainable, despite workers contributing significantly to the state’s revenue generation.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, criticized the union’s actions, accusing them of disrupting public peace.
“A strike should not be turned into an attack on the agencies and their workers,” Ayantayo said, urging the unions to adopt a more constructive approach.
The strike highlights a growing discontent among Lagos State workers over wage disparities and outdated salary payment systems. The workers are expected to maintain their protest until their demands for Oracle inclusion and the implementation of the N85,000 minimum wage are addressed.
Stakeholders and observers are calling on the Lagos State Government to engage the workers and unions in meaningful dialogue to resolve the crisis and ensure uninterrupted public broadcasting services.
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