Seven states and the Federal Capital Territory have not started paying the new N70,000 minimum wage, which was supposed to begin in October.
So far, only 25 states have either started paying or announced what they will pay.
The states yet to act include Zamfara, Sokoto, Osun, Cross River, Imo, Plateau, and Taraba.
In Zamfara, workers are still receiving the old N30,000 wage.
Sokoto and Osun promised to pay the new amount but have not started yet.
Cross River and Imo are still discussing with labour unions, while Plateau and Taraba have made no clear moves.
Workers have lamented the delay is making life harder, especially with rising costs of food, fuel, and electricity.
Many believe that even N70,000 is not enough to cover basic needs.
They called on their state governments to act quickly to ease their financial struggles.
A staff member of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abuja, told Punch : “We were not expecting our leaders to accept the N70,000 as minimum wage because the price of foodstuffs, fuel, electricity tariffs, and fuels continue to go up.
“The amount is not enough for us at all. The living standard in Abuja is high and it is a reality that we cannot survive on N70,000 every month.”
Also, a civil servant at Ayedire Local Government, Osun State, said: “What is the quality and quantity of the foodstuffs to buy with N70,000? How long will it take to exhaust the minimum wage in the face of fuel hikes and inflation? Life is not easy for us.”
