The Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the staff of Lagos State Television, Radio Lagos/Eko FM, and Traffic Radio have protested against the state government’s failure to pay the new minimum wage to media practitioners.

The protest came after the leaders of the station’s media workers announced a three-day strike, accusing the government of refusing to pay them the new minimum wage, although other sectors in the state are already receiving their remuneration. They also advocated for incorporating their data into the Oracle database, a technological tool used to put all workers on a central payment system, expedite worker payments, and compensate employees based on the services they provide.

During the protest, the Radio, Television, Theatre, and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) and some members of the Nigeria Labour Congress observed the agitated station workers at Agidingbi, Lagos, holding placards with inscriptions such as “Non-implementation of minimum wage is anti-labour,” “Minimum wage is a must for us,” and “Remove Career Barrier Our Eagles Ought to Be Flying.”

Speaking with the journalist, the Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, criticized the Lagos State government for ignoring three separate ultimatums given and failing to pay the media practitioners in the state their deserved remuneration.

He stated that although the state government has started paying the new minimum wage to other workers in the state, there have been decisions to exclude media workers. He urged the government to be media-friendly and pay media practitioners their deserved payment.

“We gave the state government these ultimatums to accommodate our members’ requests.” Our members are very dedicated, very committed, and very patriotic, and I think they should be well remunerated. The Oracle database should integrate them with due respect. The Oracle database facilitates the seamless payment of workers’ salaries and other benefits.

“And I think the government should look into the issue of minimum wage; our workers here are not benefiting from the minimum wage like other workers of Lagos civil servants. Workers of the state broadcasting services must benefit from minimum wage; in the last three to five months, they have not.

I believe the state government must become more accommodating to the media and address the needs of media practitioners. This will enable the media to continue their work effectively, preventing our members from falling into poverty.

Also expressing his dissatisfaction with the treatment of the media practitioners, Ishola Adejumo, the Lagos state chairman of the Radio, Television, Theatre, and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), insisted that the state government is under the obligation to treat the media well by paying them the N85,000 minimum wage, which the state has started paying to other workers.

According to him, the only bargaining chip available for them to recall the strike is the payment of the minimum wage and integration into Oracle technology. He asserted that if their demands remain unfulfilled, the state stands prepared to embark on an indefinite strike.

“The essence of this strike is to demand one thing: The Federal Government has approved a minimum wage for our radio and television members in Lagos State, but they are not receiving it. It is premised on the fact that the running of this station is based on IGR; the internally generated revenue will determine what they will do with the salaries of our members, and this is not sustainable”, he said.

“We have been advocating for a migration to Oracle for the past twelve years.” The migration to Oracle will ensure the regular payment of their salaries, just like other civil servants. If the government fails to comply with this demand, we will restructure our strategy and embark on an indefinite strike.

In her intervention, Mrs Funmi Sessi, the NLC chairperson, argued that the failure of Lagos State to pay the media workers the minimum wage is unjustifiable and devoid of equity among the state workers. She called on the state government to act on the demands of the media workers and begin the deserved payment.

“Today is a challenging day for us, the workers, as a single injury can affect everyone.” How can someone be working like an elephant and eating like a baboon? Is it possible for individuals to labour and still receive inadequate compensation? This is an instance where certain individuals enjoy greater privileges than others.

Despite your letter of employment stating that you work for the Lagos state government, you receive a lower salary. The law of the federal government of Nigeria entitles you as a worker to the new minimum wage. She concluded that you should never lose your benefits.