NLC calls for strike in states yet to implement minimum wage by December 1
The congress issued the directive at the end of its national executive council (NEC) meeting held in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, on Friday.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says its members in states that are yet to commence the implementation of the new minimum wage should commence an indefinite strike on December 1.
The congress issued the directive at the end of its national executive council (NEC) meeting held in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, on Friday.
On July 29, President Bola Tinubu signed the minimum wage bill into law.
The president signed the bill in the council chamber of the State House, in the middle of the federal executive council (FEC) meeting.
The president’s assent to the bill followed the passage of the law on July 23 by the national assembly.
The legislation raised the country’s minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000.
Since then, many state governors have announced the implementation of the new minimum wage for workers.
Joe Ajaero, the NLC president, in a communique issued on Sunday, expressed frustration over certain states’ “delays or outright refusals” to implement the 2024 Minimum Wage Act, describing it as a violation of workers’ rights and a breach of the law.
Ajaero said the strike directive applies to all state councils where the minimum wage has yet to be fully implemented by November 30.
He noted that the directive was also part of broader resolutions that addressed the challenges facing Nigerian workers, including increasing economic hardship, rising costs of living, and issues within critical industries.
The NLC president said the NEC lamented that inflation has worsened living conditions nationwide, pushing essential goods and services out of reach for the average worker and causing a resurgence of malnutrition-related diseases.
“This betrayal by certain governors and government officials across the country flies in the face of both legality and morality, as workers continue to be denied their rightful wages amidst rising economic hardship,” the communique reads.
“It is a blatant disregard for the law and the lives of millions of Nigerian workers, who are being exploited by the very leaders sworn to protect them.
“The NEC, therefore, resolves to set up a national minimum wage implementation committee that will, among others, commence a nationwide assessment, mobilisation and sensitisation campaign, educating workers and citizens on the need to resist this assault on their dignity and rights.
“Furthermore, the NLC shall initiate industrial actions in all non-compliant states and shall only relent once the minimum wage is fully implemented across Nigeria.
“To this end, all NLC state councils where the national minimum wage has not been fully implemented by the last day of November 2024 have been directed to proceed on strike beginning on the 1st day of December 2024. Nigerian workers demand justice, and justice they shall have. “
