The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its members in states yet to implement the new minimum wage to commence an indefinite strike starting December 1, 2024.
This directive follows a resolution passed during the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting over the weekend.
The NLC expressed its frustration over the persistent delay and outright refusal by certain state governments to implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.
“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,” the communique read.
The union highlighted that this delay was a direct violation of workers’ rights, worsening the hardship many are facing. “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,” it added.
In response, the NLC resolved to establish a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee, tasked with assessing the situation nationwide and educating workers and the public about the ongoing issue.
“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,” the communique explained.
The NLC stressed that it would not back down until the new minimum wage was implemented across all states. “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,” it said.
Additionally, the NLC set a firm deadline for action, directing that strikes would begin on December 1, 2024, in all states that had not implemented the new wage by the end of November.
“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 the 1st day of December 2024. Nigerian workers demand justice, and justice they shall have,” the communique emphasized.
In a separate matter, the NLC also accused petroleum marketers of inflating the price of petrol, alleging that the current price is far above the actual market value.
“The NEC-in-session noted with increasing dismay the shenanigans around the appropriate pricing of petrol in Nigeria. It observed that there may be a gang-up against Nigerians by fat cats in the industry as the current price of the product is significantly higher than the real market price,” the statement stated.
The union further claimed that the excessive pricing was a result of cost-padding and abnormal profit margins, partly due to ongoing disputes between marketers and the Dangote Group.
“Padding of costs and abnormal margins seems to be the order of the day,” the NLC noted, adding that this was contributing to the country’s economic difficulties.
The NLC called for an immediate correction in petrol pricing and urged the government to reopen domestic refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna to help reduce the monopolistic power of large oil players.
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“NLC demands appropriate pricing of petrol and calls for the Public domestic refineries in PH, Warri and Kaduna to quickly come back on stream to break-up the monopolistic stranglehold the big players have on the industry,” it said.
The NLC also raised alarms about the worsening economic situation in the country, with inflation pushing up the cost of living and placing basic necessities beyond the reach of many workers.
“We call for the implementation of comprehensive social protection policies that shield Nigerians from poverty, provide affordable healthcare, and ensure a wage that reflects the true cost of living,” the union demanded.
Furthermore, the NLC urged the government to review the nation’s wage policies to address the escalating costs faced by workers. “To this end, we call for a wage review across the nation including a review of all the policies that have rather emasculated Nigerian people,” the NLC concluded.
The ongoing dispute over the new minimum wage follows the approval by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024 to raise the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000. However, while more than 20 states had committed to implementing the new wage by early November, others have yet to adopt it.
With the NLC’s strike directive now in place, attention is now on state governments to meet the deadline or face the consequences of widespread industrial action beginning December 1, 2024.
