Chaos unfolded on Monday as the Lagos chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) took decisive action, shutting down operations at Lagos Television, Radio Lagos/Eko FM, and Traffic Radio.
The shutdown came in protest of the Lagos State Government’s refusal to integrate the stations’ staff into the Oracle payment system and pay the long-overdue minimum wage.
Workers’ Strike Escalates
The dramatic move followed a three-day warning strike by employees of the affected stations, marked by intense protests earlier in the day.
The tension peaked after Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos Chapel Chairman, Leye Ajayi, addressed the protesting workers. Moments later, NLC officials, led by Chairperson Mrs. Funmi Sessi, stormed the premises in Agidingbi, Ikeja, halting all broadcasts and ejecting staff still on duty.
NLC Demands Immediate Action
“We are not fighting the Lagos State Government,” Sessi clarified, “but we demand an immediate end to the injustice against the staff of these stations.”
Sessi called for the integration of the stations’ workers into the Oracle system, stressing the disparity between them and other civil servants in the state. She criticized the exclusion of these workers from benefits routinely enjoyed by their counterparts in the state service.
“This situation is unacceptable,” she said. “The government must address these issues promptly to ensure fairness and justice for all its employees.”
Growing Tension
The NLC’s forceful intervention sends a strong message to the Lagos State Government that the workers’ grievances must no longer be ignored. The shutdown of key media outlets highlights the escalating tension between the state government and its workforce, putting pressure on authorities to resolve the dispute swiftly.
PMNews
