ABUJA, Nigeria – Chris Ngige, the Nigerian Minister of Labour and Employment, has come under fire for his recent handling of strikes and unpaid salaries. Ngige lamented his status as an “odd man” in the country, a label he attributes to his efforts to enforce national labor laws.
Ngige made the remarks on Monday, May 1, 2023, during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show program. The interview fell on “May Day,” a day celebrated by Nigerian workers, a timing that further highlighted the ongoing tension between the government and the workforce.
Ngige has been the target of widespread criticism for withholding salaries from members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) during their eight-month strike. Those wages remain unpaid.
Similarly, health workers under the Nigeria Medical Association experienced the same treatment during their four-month strike; they were not paid for the duration of the strike.
In defense of his actions, Ngige argued that he was merely upholding the law. “People in Nigeria don’t like to obey laws. The statutes are there. The laws of the country are there,” he stated.
He cited his enforcement of Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act, which stipulates that workers are not entitled to pay if they withdraw their services.
“I am an odd today because I enforced Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act, which says that if a worker withdraws his services, he will not be entitled to any pay; that’s the right to go on strike,” Ngige said. “It’s allowed, you can go on strike.”
The minister further explained, “But your employer has the right to keep that money that is due to you, and if you’re on essential services employ people to keep the services running. It’s in the ILO statute books and principles on strike.”
Ngige’s comments have inflamed an already volatile situation, with many workers and union leaders expressing frustration over the unpaid salaries.
As May Day celebrations continue, the government’s stance on labour rights will remain contentious.
