The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a strong warning to state governments that have failed to implement the new national minimum wage, directing its members in these states to commence an indefinite strike starting from December 1, 2024.
The announcement came after the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting over the weekend, during which the union expressed its frustration over the ongoing delay in the enforcement of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.
The NLC criticized governors and government officials who have refused to adhere to the law, calling their actions a blatant disregard for both the law and the livelihoods of millions of Nigerian workers.
“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 NLC said in a communiqué.
In response, the NLC has announced the formation of a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee, tasked with assessing the situation across the country. The committee will also embark on a nationwide mobilization and sensitization campaign to educate workers and citizens about the importance of resisting this violation of their rights.
The union vowed to initiate industrial actions in all states that fail to fully implement the minimum wage by the end of November 2024.
“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 communiqué emphasized.
In addition to the wage issue, the NLC has also raised alarms over the price of petrol, accusing petroleum marketers of inflating the pump price well above the actual market value.
The union claims that these inflated prices are contributing to the already severe suffering caused by the government’s harsh economic policies.
“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 the Dangote group,” the NLC stated.
The NLC believes that Nigerian workers and the general public are being exploited by powerful industry players who control the pricing of petrol. The union argued that the domestic public refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna should be brought back into operation as soon as possible to break the monopolistic stranglehold of these big players.
Furthermore, the NLC expressed deep concern over the worsening economic situation in Nigeria.
Inflation continues to rise uncontrollably, making basic necessities such as food, transportation, and healthcare unaffordable for many Nigerians.
“The NLC observes, with profound concern, the accelerating economic hardship inflicted upon Nigerian citizens. Inflation continues to rise unchecked, with the costs of basic necessities spiraling beyond the reach of the average worker, among others,” the NLC stated.
The union is calling for immediate, concrete actions from the federal government, urging more than just token measures to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.
The NLC has demanded a comprehensive set of social protection policies, including measures to provide affordable healthcare and a wage that accurately reflects the true cost of living.
“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. 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 said.
As the deadline for the strike approaches, the NLC’s directive sets the stage for a potential showdown with state governments, leaving millions of Nigerian workers and citizens anxiously awaiting the outcome of these critical negotiations.
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December 1 Strike Looms as NLC Demands Minimum Wage Compliance
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a strong warning to state governments that have failed to implement the new national minimum wage, directing its members in these states to commence an indefinite strike starting from December 1, 2024.
The announcement came after the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting over the weekend, during which the union expressed its frustration over the ongoing delay in the enforcement of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.
The NLC criticized governors and government officials who have refused to adhere to the law, calling their actions a blatant disregard for both the law and the livelihoods of millions of Nigerian workers.
“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 NLC said in a communiqué.
In response, the NLC has announced the formation of a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee, tasked with assessing the situation across the country. The committee will also embark on a nationwide mobilization and sensitization campaign to educate workers and citizens about the importance of resisting this violation of their rights.
The union vowed to initiate industrial actions in all states that fail to fully implement the minimum wage by the end of November 2024.
“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 communiqué emphasized.
In addition to the wage issue, the NLC has also raised alarms over the price of petrol, accusing petroleum marketers of inflating the pump price well above the actual market value.
The union claims that these inflated prices are contributing to the already severe suffering caused by the government’s harsh economic policies.
“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 the Dangote group,” the NLC stated.
The NLC believes that Nigerian workers and the general public are being exploited by powerful industry players who control the pricing of petrol. The union argued that the domestic public refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna should be brought back into operation as soon as possible to break the monopolistic stranglehold of these big players.
Furthermore, the NLC expressed deep concern over the worsening economic situation in Nigeria.
Inflation continues to rise uncontrollably, making basic necessities such as food, transportation, and healthcare unaffordable for many Nigerians.
“The NLC observes, with profound concern, the accelerating economic hardship inflicted upon Nigerian citizens. Inflation continues to rise unchecked, with the costs of basic necessities spiraling beyond the reach of the average worker, among others,” the NLC stated.
The union is calling for immediate, concrete actions from the federal government, urging more than just token measures to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.
The NLC has demanded a comprehensive set of social protection policies, including measures to provide affordable healthcare and a wage that accurately reflects the true cost of living.
“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. 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 said.
As the deadline for the strike approaches, the NLC’s directive sets the stage for a potential showdown with state governments, leaving millions of Nigerian workers and citizens anxiously awaiting the outcome of these critical negotiations.