By: Ibe Innocent Ugonna
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has sounded the alarm, directing its members in states that have not implemented the new minimum wage to embark on an indefinite strike starting December 1, 2024. This decision follows the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, where members expressed deep frustration over the persistent delay and refusal by some state governments to implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.
The NLC views this delay as a betrayal of Nigerian workers, who continue to face economic hardship despite the country’s laws guaranteeing a fair wage. The organization resolves to set up a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee to educate workers and citizens about their rights and mobilize resistance against this injustice.
Key Demands:
- Immediate Implementation of the National Minimum Wage: The NLC demands that all states implement the new minimum wage by November 30, 2024.
- Appropriate Pricing of Petrol: The NLC calls for an end to price gouging and demands that domestic public refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna resume operations to break the industry’s monopolistic hold.
- Government Action: The NLC urges the Federal Government to take substantial actions to alleviate the economic hardship faced by Nigerian workers.
With the strike looming, the NLC reaffirms its commitment to fighting for workers’ rights and dignity. As the organization states, “Nigerian workers demand justice, and justice they shall have.”
