Several passengers were left stranded at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Wednesday following a protest by staff members of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency over the non-implementation of the new national minimum wage.
The protest caused significant flight disruptions, with numerous scheduled flights delayed or canceled.
According to The PUNCH, an anonymous airport staff member explained, “Since NiMet provides critical weather information to pilots, the protest has disrupted many flights, although some are still operating.”
Timothy Meshelia, the Northwest Zonal Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical, and Recreational Employees, confirmed that the protest had affected flight operations at the airport. “The protesting workers are accusing NiMet management of failing to implement the N30,000 and N70,000 minimum wage, as well as not paying staff allowances and neglecting key training programs,” he said.
The workers have given NiMet management a one-month ultimatum to implement the new wage or face further industrial action. They are also demanding measures to address the economic challenges faced by staff, including the payment of subsistence allowances.
