Minimum Wage: NLC gives governors Dec 1 ultimatum
The Nigeria Labour Congress has given state governments an ultimatum of December 1, 2024, to implement the new minimum wage.
The organisation also expressed concerns over fuel marketers who are allegedly exaggerating petrol prices, asserting that the current pump price exceeds actual market values.
The NLC accused the government of allowing widespread exploitation, which has led to increased suffering and hunger among citizens as policies push many toward destitution.
READ ALSO: Petrol price has rendered N70, 000 minimum wage useless — NLC
In a communique released on Sunday following the National Executive Council meeting, the NLC underscored the pressing economic challenges facing the country and urged for an urgent reassessment of what it termed “anti-people” policies.
Moreover, the NLC instructed state councils that have not yet implemented the new minimum wage to initiate an indefinite strike starting December 1, 2024, to protest unresolved labor concerns.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved an increase of the minimum wage for Nigerian workers from N30,000 to N70,000. However, the rollout has been inconsistent across various states, with some yet to adopt the new wage.
While several states have committed to meeting the N70,000 minimum wage, others have promised even higher amounts than the federal standard. As of the first week of November, over 20 states reported that they had begun implementing the new wage structure.
“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 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 the 1st day of December 2024.
“Nigerian workers demand justice, and justice they shall have,” the communique read.
The NLC’s call underscored its growing concerns over the economic strain on Nigerians and its commitment to holding both fuel marketers and the government accountable for citizens’ welfare.
“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.
“Padding of costs and abnormal margins seems to be the order of the day considering the revelations from the ongoing controversy between Marketers and Dangote group.
“It is entirely possible that Nigerian workers and masses are being ripped off by those who control the levers of economic power in Nigeria which explains why the domestic public refineries may not immediately be allowed to come on stream.
“NLC demands appropriate pricing of petrol and calls for the Public domestic refineries in PH, Warri and Kaduna to quickly come back on stream,” it added.
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