NLC Calls Nationwide Indefinite Strike Over Non-Implementation Of Minimum Wage

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has instructed its members in states that have not yet started implementing the new minimum wage to begin an indefinite strike starting December 1, 2024.

The directive is part of the resolutions of the NLC after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the weekend.

“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 the 1st day of December, 2024. Nigerian workers demand justice, and justice they shall have,” the NLC communique read in part.

“The NEC-in-session noted with increasing dismay the shenanigans around the
appropriate pricing of petrol (PMS) in Nigeria. It observed that there may be a gangup 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 to break-up
the monopolistic stranglehold the big players have on the industry.”

The NLC further called on the Federal Government for immediate, substantial actions—not just token gestures—to alleviate this hardship.