The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a directive for workers in states yet to implement the new ₦70,000 minimum wage to commence an indefinite strike starting December 1, 2024.
This decision was part of resolutions reached at the NLC National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held over the weekend, highlighting frustrations over the delay in implementing the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.
The NLC accused governors in non-compliant states of betraying workers’ rights by failing to honor the new minimum wage, despite rising economic challenges.
“The NEC notes with deep frustration the persistent delay and outright refusal by some state governments to implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act,” read the NLC’s communique.
“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 NLC criticized these governors for disregarding the law and exploiting Nigerian workers, adding that the delay represents a “blatant disregard for the law and the lives of millions of Nigerian workers.”
In addition to the planned strike, the NLC announced the formation of a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee tasked with monitoring compliance across the nation.
This committee will launch a nationwide campaign to educate workers and citizens about their rights under the minimum wage law and mobilize against further non-compliance.
“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,” the communique declared.
“Nigerian workers demand justice, and justice they shall have.”
