Minimum Wage: NLC directs workers in defaulting States to Begin Strike Dec 1

The Nigeria Labour Congress NLC directs workers in defaulting States to Begin Strike in states where the N70,000 new minimum wage is not being fully implemented

NLC made this known on Sunday in a memo signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

This came in as NLC called on the Federal Government to review anti-people policies, lamenting that the policies were forcing Nigerians into poverty.

The memo read: “The NEC notes with deep frustration the persistent delay and outright refusal by some state governments to implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.

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.

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, mobilization and sensitization campaign, educating workers and citizens on the need to resist this assault on their dignity and rights.

“Furthermore, the NLC shall initiate a series of industrial actions in all non-compliant states and shall not relent until the minimum wage is fully implemented across Nigeria.

To this end, all 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 from December 1, 2024.

Nigerian workers demand justice, and justice they shall have.”

“To this end, all 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 from December 1,” he said.

Following the memo, the NLC directs workers in defaulting States to begin strike, starting from December 1

Joe Ajaero, NLC President, called on the government to embark on a wage review and immediately implement concrete interventions that would relieve the sufferings of Nigerians.

Furthermore, he emphasized that NLC directs workers in defaulting states to begin Strike from December 1.

According to the NLC President, they would initiate a series of industrial actions in all non-compliant states and would not relent until the minimum wage is fully implemented across Nigeria.

“Inflation continues to rise unchecked, with the costs of basic necessities spiraling beyond the reach of the average worker.

“Millions of Nigerians are being driven into destitution, forced to choose daily between feeding their families and seeking healthcare.

“Access to energy has become a mirage while workers become increasingly poorer even as they work longer hours to meet their other basic needs.

“As a result, nutritional diseases like Kwashiorkor and Marasmus have resurfaced in Nigeria,” he said.

The NLC president, while calling for immediate, interventions from the federal government, called for the implementation of comprehensive social protection policies to shield Nigerians from poverty and ensure a living wage.

He decried the fact that the current price of petrol is significantly higher than the real market price.

“NLC demands appropriate pricing of petrol and calls for the public domestic refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna to quickly come back on stream to break-up the monopolistic stranglehold the big players have on the industry.“

“The NLC stands in solidarity with the workers and people of Rivers State.

We demand an immediate resolution that allows the state to continue to have unfettered access to its rightful revenue allocations,” he said.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress remains unwavering in its commitment to the wellbeing and dignity of Nigerian workers,” he said.

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